Don't forget your vinyl siding accessories
You can find a variety of options when it comes to installing siding on your home. Choosing from new vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, aluminum siding or a similar type of wall cladding can be as difficult as narrowing down what type of car to purchase -- there are so many selections on the market! Soffits and trim pieces can throw even more complications into the decision-making process.
Why is it important to purchase the right soffits, fascia and trim? Each has a specific purpose and a part to play in protecting your residence. Most siding manufacturers offer a full line of products to finish off your siding job. Here's a rundown on the different types of vinyl siding accessories you may need in addition to your new siding.
Closer look at vinyl siding accessories
Installing new siding on your home starts with the vinyl siding trim pieces, which hide the ends and edges of the horizontal siding. Vinyl siding fascia caps the ends of the rafters, while soffits form the flat part of the roof line underneath the rafters back to the wall. Trim pieces typically consist of inside and outside corner boards, J-channel and undersill trim, which serve key roles:
- Corner pieces are used to form smart-looking corners -- your siding contractor should snap chalk lines up every corner to ensure these flexible pieces are installed plumb. These pieces also lock the ends of the trim in place.
- J-channel holds the siding edges where they butt the edges of windows and doors.
- Undersill trim holds the top edge of the trim in place underneath windows.
Professional siding contractors typically handle all the trim, soffits and fascia first. Once the accessory pieces are in place, it's time to install the horizontal siding.
Finding the right vinyl siding accessories
Manufacturers such as Mastic and CertainTeed make vinyl siding soffits, fascia and trim in a wide range of colors and varying thicknesses to complement different types of siding. You can find cornerposts for styles such as straight-edge and staggered shingles or rough-split shakes. Manufacturer websites also provide detailed instructions for use; for example, both solid and perforated vinyl panels may be used for soffit installations, depending on factors such as local climate.
When looking at an estimate for an installation, remember that vinyl siding thickness largely determines the price of the siding. Don't be surprised when a contractor's quote includes vinyl siding accessories -- soffits, fascia and trim pieces are crucial elements of getting the job done correctly.
Featured Articles
- Exterior siding: all about the details
- Siding: 5 ways to add gingerbread
- Finish new vinyl siding project with trim
- Don't paint! Cover fascia trim instead
- Aluminum or vinyl siding trim, which is best?
- 7 bold vinyl siding trim styles
- Vinyl siding trim trio: 3 basic borders
- Choose Alcoa siding for strong performance within budget
- Pros and cons of Alsco siding products
- Aluminum Fascia Installation for Less Exterior Painting
- Vinyl Siding Price with soffit, fascia, and aluminum
