Common terms
You'll probably want to hire a professional to install your siding, but if you decide to do it yourself, here are some terms you'll need to know:

• Nail hem: The top edge of a siding panel, where it is nailed to the wall.
• Lock: Where two panels join or lock together.
• Panel projection: The section of vinyl siding that projects from the wall.
• Exposure: The width of each "board" of siding.

Check the detailed glossary.

Do-it-yourselfers will also need to be familiar with general terms related to the structure of a house. Use this diagram as a basic guide.

Required Tools
Use only corrosion-resistant nails (aluminum nails or galvanized roofing nails) when installing vinyl siding. You'll also need these standard tools:

• Hammer
• Tin snips
• Tape measure
• Square
• Chalk line
• Level
• Utility knife
• Hacksaw
• Power circular saw

Some special tools are required to install vinyl siding: (1) Nail slot punch, which punches elongated holes for nailing; (2) Snaplock punch, which punches tabs in the cut edge of a panel; and (3) Unlocking (zip) tool, which "unlocks" installed panel so it can be removed from a wall.

Installation preparation
There is some general information about siding that you should know before you begin installing it on your home. Our installation instructions discuss nailing techniques, why vinyl expands and contracts and how to cut and overlap panels.

With horizontal accessories and panels (1), position nails in the center of elongated nailing slots to allow for expansion and contraction. With vertical accessories and panels(2), position the first nail at the upper edge of the topmost slot and nail the balance.

Horizontal siding
The key to successful vinyl siding application is proper preparation of the nailing surface. It is essential that you work over a flat nailing surface. The more level and even the wall surface, the better the finished installation will look.

When applying vinyl siding to stucco, apply 1" x 3" furring, using ring-shanked nails or screws. Stucco will not hold fasteners tightly, so be sure nails or screws are anchored securely to studs.

Vertical siding
For the most part, the wall preparation instructions given for horizontal siding also apply to vertical siding. With vertical siding, however, you may have to complete an extra step depending on the type of substrate used and the nature of the construction project. When remodeling over brick, stucco, block or irregular wall surfaces, apply furring strips horizontally to create a level nailable surface.

In vertical siding, most of the expansion is downward. Instead of allowing equal space for expansion at both ends of a vertical panel, leave more space at the lower end.

Soffits
Soffit is the name given to materials that enclose the underside of an eave. You can use solid vinyl panels or perforated vinyl panels for soffit installations. Perforated panels provide ventilation, helping to reduce heat build-up in the summer and the formation of ice in the winter.

The procedure used to install soffit depends on the construction of the eave. Open eaves (1 and 2), which are eaves with exposed rafters or trusses, are typical of new construction. Enclosed eaves (3 and 4), eaves with soffits in place, are typical of remodeling projects.