Fitting Around Openings: Learn How to Plan To Have Seams Not Fall Underneath a Window

You're going to continue course after course in the same fashion until you reach an opening, either a window or a door. Most of the time, the bottom of a window will not fall perfectly at the top of a course of siding. This means you'll have to notch some of the siding out. To do that, have your helper hold the other end up and hold your end so that it is at the correct height. Then you have to mark the piece where it should be once inserted into the J channel. You have to mark not only the sides, but the bottom of the window as well.

Planning Seams

It is best to try to plan to have any seams not fall underneath a window. This is for several reasons. One, it's more difficult to keep the end up because you can't nail it. You'll have two ends that you'll have to silicon in place and hope the snap will hold it. Second, if a leak occurs it will most likely be under a window. So you are putting a seam (which can leak) in an already weak place.

Cutting Around Fixtures

Of course there are other obstacles to watch out for, like hydrants, lights, and electrical outlets. Dryer vents and wood stove flues are also on the list. There are different ways of handling each one of these. Sometimes a special fixture is used, and sometimes a small hole is used. For example, you must remove the phone cabinet and put a hole in the siding to run the phone wires through. Then, after the siding is installed past that point, you can reinstall the cabinet. This makes for a much nicer looking job than leaving the wires on the outside. You just side right over them and poke them through a hole. Be sure to apply 100% silicon to prevent water from entering. I usually use clear, but siding manufacturers offer caulk that is color matched and will do a nice job.

Here's some helpful tips to follow:
Installing Vinyl Siding