Vinyl Siding Information to easily identify your type of Vinyl Siding

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Vinyl Siding Information

How to Measure, Identify The Design, and Color Match Vinyl Siding

The VERTICAL MEASUREMENT size ( Up and Down ) of the panel is the most important factor. When measuring vinyl siding, one needs to measure from THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE PANEL TO THE MIDDLE OF THE PANEL. This measurement will be EXACTLY 4 inches, 4 1/2 inches or 5 inches. Each 12 foot long individual piece of siding has 2 ( two ) horizontal sections per individual panel. Each horizontal section measures top to bottom identical to the other. ( See Diagram A. )

IMPORTANT!!! We do not include the “NAILER STRIP” with the horizontal fastener holes in measuring, as you can see in the diagram below. It is hidden when installed, anyway. Notice in the diagram that the measurement arrows stop at that edge. ( See Diagram A. )

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT 4″ – This size of siding has become extremely RARE and HARD TO FIND, especially in COLORS. This is due to the fact that this is the OLDEST type and size of siding and manufacturers as a whole have simply stopped making it any more. In most cases it is now needed to completely remove and replace 4″ siding and replace it with 5′ siding, in sections if possible, which saves significant Labor and Materials money, versus replacing the siding on the entire structure.

MEASURING CORRECT VS MEASURING WRONG

WRONG - Measuring including the nailing strip. — WRONG – Measuring including the nailing strip.

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WRONG - Measuring top section including the nailing strip. — WRONG – Measuring top section including the nailing strip.

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WRONG - Measuring BOTH SECTIONS of one piece. — WRONG – Measuring BOTH SECTIONS of one piece.

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Correct Measure of ONE of the TWO sections

NOW.....that we have measured and know the existing SIZE, we must know what type of Design Style we are working with. The two MOST COMMON Design Styles in this area of the country, are "Double Dutch Lap" Vinyl Siding (MODERN), and "Double Lap" Vinyl Siding (VERY old design with limited availability).

They sound very similar, but look and function differently. This Vinyl Siding Information is IMPORTANT to get right. To closely examine the differences between the two, consult the diagram below; DIAGRAM B.

There are other main components to a Vinyl Siding Installation. There is Vinyl Soffit, both vented and solid. (see Diagram B1 below)

Also, there are several types of "Vinyl Siding Trim" which both support, and "catch" the main Vinyl Siding parts. (see Diagram B1 below)

FACIA METAL

( Hand Fabricated Vinyl Covered Aluminum )

Lastly, we have the "FACIA", which is actually PVC (Vinyl) coated Aluminum Trim Coil material that is measured, cut, and fabricated to the needed precise shape with the needed bends and/or angles. (see Diagram B2 )

This is skilled work that is performed with a Vinyl Siding Brake. (see Diagram B3)

There are 2 Basic types of finished, fabricated Facia types. There is "Simple Facia" and there is "Complex Facia" The Labeled picture following this text shows Simple Facia, which only has one 90 degree bend, and 2 measurements. Label "A" is the face, and Label "B" is the soffit lip. This is the type being used on the Blue and White house in Diagram B2.

The second type of Facia is Complex Facia, which covers a "Shingle Strip", as well as the rest of the Facia Board. An example of this type of roof edge is directly below this text. IMPORTANT! The STEEL "Drip Edge" is a Permanent Roof Component. It will flex outward a small amount to allow putting the Vinyl Aluminum Facia Trim under it to cover the shingle strip a small amount, but should ONLY be removed or replaced by a "roofing services provider". WE DO NOT remove or replace The STEEL "Drip Edge" under ANY circumstances. (To repeat, the Steel Drip Edge should only be worked on by a roofing professional.)

The next picture under that one shows a Labeled picture of Complex Fabricated Vinyl Aluminum Facia Trim. It has three 90 degree bends, and 4 measurements. Measurement "A" is immediately below the shingle edge. Measurement "B" is directly below measurement "A". Measurement "C" is the widest vertical measurement. Measurement "D" is the last measurement, and this part actually catches and supports the outward edge of the Soffit. Below is a picture of this type of Facia area, as well as a LABLED Sample of the "Complex Facia Fabrication".

COLORS EXPLAINED

(COLOR CHART LINKS ARE THE LAST CONTENT ABOVE THE PENSACOLA BEACHBALL AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE)

LASTLY......We will now match colors of existing Vinyl Siding Installations. FIRST OFF! Textures are extremely unimportant, even though they can seem important while holding a sample piece in your hand. In reality, once you step back 5-10 feet, most textures vanish. All you really notice is color.

PRO TIP! The best lighting to match colors in is daytime, without ANY direct sunlight.

ABOUT COLORS, I MUST WARN YOU!

Colors, and even some measurements, such as 4 inch in both Double Dutch Lap as well as Double Lap, have become extremely challenging and sometimes subject to the annoying term "Back Order" and/or "Discontinued and Out of Stock".

Rest assured, in MOST CASES, an alternate product that will work can be found.

The sun fades and lightens Vinyl Products here in the Sunshine State more than anywhere else!

Also, many existing Vinyl Siding Installations are more than 20 years old.....with some much older than that!

The older it is, the more it fades in color, regardless of sunlight.

As it gets really old, and breaks down, it gets brittle, and holes and cracks can start to appear.

PERFECTLY MATCHING COLORS in new, replacement Vinyl Siding stock is RARE, EXCEPTIONAL, and extremely uncommon due to weather, intense sunlight and AGE of the product!

Getting a fairly close match that is a few shades lighter, or a few shades darker, is a REALISTIC EXPECTATION industry-wide.

COLOR CHARTS

PROVIA

https://www.provia.com/siding/colors/

ALSIDE

https://www.alside.com/product-catalog/siding/conquest/

ROYAL by Westlake (ABC Supply)

Link to Royal Building Products at ABC Supply

NORANDEX

Click Here to go to Norandex "Siding by Color"

PENSACOLA PROUD !