Glossary of Terms

The following terms are used throughout this manual.  A clear understanding of what they mean is  required. 

 

Channel — the area of the accessory trim or corner post where siding or soffit panels are inserted. Channels also refer to the trim itself, and are named for the letters of the alphabet they resemble (e.g., J-channel, F-channel, etc.).

 

Drip cap/Head flashing — an accessory installed over windows and doors to ensure that water is directed away from the panels and does not infiltrate them.

 

Face-nailing — the action of fastening directly onto the “face” side of a panel (instead of using the nail hem slot). This practice should not be used in vinyl and aluminum siding installation.

 

Fascia board — a board attached to the ends of the rafters between the roofing material and
the soffit overhang. Fascia cap is the covering around that board.

 

Flashing — a thin, flat aluminum material positioned under or behind J-channels, corner posts, windows, etc., to keep draining water from penetrating the home.
Flashing is also used on every wood surface around the windows and doors.

 

Furring/Furring strip — a wooden framing material, usually 1" x 3", used to provide an even nailing base. To “fur” a surface means to apply these strips.

 

H-trim — a siding accessory that joins two soffit, siding or Kaycan Agrituff panels.

 

Lap — to overlap the ends of two siding panels
or accessory pieces to allow for expansion and contraction of the vinyl product.

 

Mitre — to make a diagonal cut, beveled to
a specific angle (usually 45°).
Sometimes miter cuts are made onto an overlapping siding or soffit panel surface,
to provide a neater appearance.

 

Nailing hem (or Flange) — the section of siding or accessories where the nailing slots are located.

 

Plumb — a position or measurement that is truly and exactly vertical, 90° from a level surface.

 

Scoring — running a utility knife blade, a sharpened awl, scoring tool, or other sharp implement across a soffit or siding panel face without cutting all the way through the panel.
This weakens the vinyl surface in a specific area and allows the panel to be bent and broken off cleanly.

 

Shim — a building material used to even a surface prior to installing vinyl siding.

 

Soffit — material used to enclose the horizontal underside of an eave, cornice, or overhang.

 

Strapping — a framing material used to even
a surface prior to installation.

 

Starter strip — an accessory applied directly to the surface of the building and used to secure the first course of siding to the home.

 

Square — a square represents an area of 10’ by 10’ (100 sq. ft.) and is generally the term used when referring to the quantity of siding in the industry.
Vinyl siding is measured in squares,
i.e.: this house requires 20 squares of siding.

 

Underlayment — weather-resistant material placed under vinyl siding panels.

 

Sill trim — a piece of trim used any time the top lock has been removed from the siding, to secure a siding panel. Also referred to as “undersill” or “finish” trim. Note that the siding must be crimped before snapping in the sill trim.

 

Weep holes — openings cut into the bottom of the siding to allow for water runoff.

 

Outside and Inside Corner Posts — Corner posts are used to provide a finished edge at an inside or outside corner. The siding from adjoining walls fits neatly into the inside or outside corner post channels. Appropriate widths of channel openings are available to accommodate various configurations of siding.

 

Trim and Molding — a complete line of accessories is used to give every installation
a professional appearance, while providing a weather-resistant facade.
Some accessories include trim, starter strips,
F-channels, drip caps, and J-channel