Vinyl Siding: Hip Roofs and Proches
As you get close to the top, you'll start feeling better about your decision to side your house! You'll find though that once you are no longer using two pieces per course, things get a little more difficult. Now you have to cut both ends of the same piece and have to worry not only about the angle, but the length as well. Hopefully, by now you have got a feel for the needed angle and have a good template. Have your helper hold your tape measure up inside the J channel (not on the outside) and measure to the same location on your end. This is the long point of the piece.
Use your template to mark both ends and make the cuts. Now hold the piece up and slide it into the J before snapping it in place. You have to do this from the bottom. As it fits into the J, snap it into the other piece of siding. Check the fit on both ends and make sure there is a little bit of play. If it doesn't move at all, you might want to trim it a bit. If its too tight, it will bind the siding come summer. When you get to the tip top, its usually a very small triangle piece. Silicon the top and snap the bottom in, then head down the ladder. ;)
Again, very rarely will this come out to a full piece of siding at the top. When you get close to the top, it's a good idea to measure both ends to see if they are the same from the top of the siding to the bottom of the soffit or porch roof. If they are slightly off, make little adjustments on one end to even them up. Check it every course once you 3 or 4 courses away from the top.
When you get to the last course, measure from the bottom flange and up inside the J. Stick the end of your tape up in the J and measure down to the flange. Give yourself about ¼" less. Measure where both ends of the siding will be. Not all soffits are installed evenly with the foundation so you can't assume it will be fine. You have to double check that you're running straight and if you aren't, you'll have to cut the last piece at somewhat of an angle, possibly. If you are only 1/8" - 1/4"off, don't worry about it, rip it to the shorter measurement. My favorite tool of choice for ripping siding long ways? A utility knife, a very sharp utility knife.
Use your template to mark both ends and make the cuts. Now hold the piece up and slide it into the J before snapping it in place. You have to do this from the bottom. As it fits into the J, snap it into the other piece of siding. Check the fit on both ends and make sure there is a little bit of play. If it doesn't move at all, you might want to trim it a bit. If its too tight, it will bind the siding come summer. When you get to the tip top, its usually a very small triangle piece. Silicon the top and snap the bottom in, then head down the ladder. ;)
Hip Roofs And Porches
If you have a covered porch or hip roof, all you need to do is run your J upside down all along the soffit. Miter your corners just like you would a door or window, except you will be doing it with the J facing the opposite direction.Again, very rarely will this come out to a full piece of siding at the top. When you get close to the top, it's a good idea to measure both ends to see if they are the same from the top of the siding to the bottom of the soffit or porch roof. If they are slightly off, make little adjustments on one end to even them up. Check it every course once you 3 or 4 courses away from the top.
When you get to the last course, measure from the bottom flange and up inside the J. Stick the end of your tape up in the J and measure down to the flange. Give yourself about ¼" less. Measure where both ends of the siding will be. Not all soffits are installed evenly with the foundation so you can't assume it will be fine. You have to double check that you're running straight and if you aren't, you'll have to cut the last piece at somewhat of an angle, possibly. If you are only 1/8" - 1/4"off, don't worry about it, rip it to the shorter measurement. My favorite tool of choice for ripping siding long ways? A utility knife, a very sharp utility knife.