Expansion Gap For Siding

Choose the right nails.

Expansion gap for siding.

Face nail with two nails per piece for 8 inches patterns and wider keeping nails 2 1 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for dimensional movement without splitting. Do not nail through overlaps. Create a proper 3 16 space at minimum between the two pieces of siding. Do not caulk between siding and any built in receiving channels located at or around windows.

Vinyl siding must be nailed so expansion and contraction are not restricted. Siding must be cut in lengths to provide for expansion. Allow a 1 8 inch expansion gap between pieces if the siding is air or kiln dried. Use a keyhole or reciprocating saw with a fine tooth blade to remove enough material from one of the pieces of lap siding.

Vertical trim gap caulking. When installing in freezing weather below 40. Remove any sawdust dirt or debris from the gap to prep it for finishing. An improper expansion gap may have similar consequences to the results shown above especially if the milling process is irregular.

As a result the expansion gap between the top of the tongue and bottom of the groove can range from o to 1 8. For siding up to 6 inches wide use one nail one inch up from the lap. Allowance should be made for expansion and contraction by leaving a 1 4 6 4mm gap between the siding and all corner posts and channels. Always caulk between the siding and the trim.

Allow for expansion and contraction. Allow a 1 4 in. Increase to 3 8 9 5mm when installing in temperatures below 40 f 4 4 c.