Vinyl Siding: Getting a Straight Line - Installation of Strip Start
One Wall at a Time
The starter strip is very important. It not only holds the bottom piece of siding secure, it also establishes a straight line which all the siding goes off of. To install it properly a chalk box is the best tool.Getting a Straight Line
Measure the width of your starter strip. Then add ¾" and measure up from the bottom of the corner post. Place a mark on the house and put a nail on the mark, leaving ½" or so out. Go to the next corner and measure the same distance. Place a nail there in the same manner. Then stretch a chalk line across the two nails, pulling it tight. It doesn´t hurt to look down the line to make sure it is straight, especially on longer runs, as the string tends to sag. Once you´re straight, snap the line.Now go from post to post in the same manner. If you have a helper, you can simply mark the wall and then the two of you will have to hold the string on the mark while it is snapped, making sure not to move and hold it very tight. This method is quicker and saves putting extra holes in the wall.
Installing the Starter
Keep the starter away from the corners at least a ¼". Put the top of the strip right on the line and nail every 10-16". Be sure to leave a 1/16" gap between the nail head and the starter strip. This gap, along with the ¼" gap between starter and corners, allows for expansion and contraction of the starter. Also leave at least a ¼" gap between adjacent pieces of starter.Note: If you are going to install foam insulation, or backer board, you might have to fur out the starter strip and corners to the thickness of the backer board. Some backer board does not require this, it depends on what you get so check with the manufacturer.