If joint moulding option is selected add the thickness of the web to the gap allowing a net 3 16 in.
Expansion gap for siding.
Leave 6 4mm gap at the top and bottom.
Gap for expansion wherever siding butts accessories.
Leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim or other materials to allow for structural movement.
For horizontal applications start with the bottom course and work up with the channels pointing upwards.
When installing in freezing weather below 40.
Do not caulk between siding and any built in receiving channels located at or around windows.
Vinyl siding must be nailed so expansion and contraction are not restricted.
Allow a 1 8 inch expansion gap between pieces if the siding is air or kiln dried.
These will serve as starter strips in which to lock the vertical siding.
Choose the right nails.
James hardie recommends that a slip sheet joint flashing is installed behind each butt joint in the siding.
Always caulk between the siding and the trim.
By having the small additional overlapped piece of siding you are still allowing for expansion but you are effectively covering all the gaps in the siding.
Allowance should be made for expansion and contraction by leaving a 1 4 6 4mm gap between the siding and all corner posts and channels.
Vertical trim gap caulking.
Allow for expansion and contraction.
If the panels are 20 feet 6 1 meters or longer refer to the manufacturer s instructions for how to increase the gap.
Do i need to seal edges at a butt joint.
Do not nail through overlaps.
By obtaining some additional siding and carefully preparing it small pieces can simply be snapped into place covering the wide gap your home builder is forced to leave for expansion.
For siding up to 6 inches wide use one nail one inch up from the lap.
Vinyl siding contracts and expands as the outside temperature changes.
And it can move a lot through expansion and contraction especially along the length of the clapboard style panels.
If you are using primed siding you must seal all exposed cuts of siding including those at butt joints.
This means that the boards should be touching each other when they are installed.
Siding must be cut in lengths to provide for expansion.
Lap siding can be installed horizontally or vertically.
Allowing for expansion and contraction.
To avoid structural or aesthetic problems associated with temperature fluctuation take the following steps.
To compensate for this movement adjacent siding panels are overlapped so that they can slide sideways past each other without buckling or creating gaps see nailing details and expansion gaps.
Increase to 3 8 9 5mm when installing in temperatures below 40 f 4 4 c.