Vinyl Siding Installation: Most Gable Ends Have a Vent for the Attic

Installing Vinyl on the Next Level

If you're house has a hip roof, consider yourself blessed. For the rest of us, dealing with a gable end doesn't have to be that difficult.
Turn your J upside down and run it up the gable where the wall meets the overhang. The toughest part will be cutting this angle on each piece. It's very helpful to know the pitch of the roof and be able to figure the angle with a framing square.

Installing Vinyl on the Next Level

If you're house has a hip roof, consider yourself blessed. For the rest of us, dealing with a gable end doesn't have to be that difficult.
Turn your J upside down and run it up the gable where the wall meets the overhang. The toughest part will be cutting this angle on each piece. It's very helpful to know the pitch of the roof and be able to figure the angle with a framing square. Once you have the right angle, you can use a cutoff piece as a template for future pieces. The same piece will work for both ends, you just have to flip it over.
Remember too that you are dealing with vinyl, so if the angle is off by just a little, it won't be noticed. Hold the piece in place and see how it will look. If its good, nail it. If it needs a trim, trim it.

Vents

Most gable ends have a vent for the attic. Be sure you don't cover this up with your siding. You should purchase a vent that is meant for your siding. Again, either try to match or color coordinate a nice combination. The vent must be installed before you get too close to the opening.

Take any existing hardware and trim off. Then mount the vent so that it is centered on the peak of the roof, if possible. Nail the mounting bracket on first, then snap the cover portion in place. The vent also acts as its own trim to help cover any rough edges on the vinyl siding. Most of these that I've seen are octagon shaped, so you have to cut some odd angles in the siding to get them to look nice. You use the same tactics that you used with the windows. Have your helper hold one end up and you place the other end in the correct position (vertically). Make your marks based on where the siding should come to and draw intersecting lines if needed. Then cut the piece and see how it fits. As you near the peak...