Expansion Gap For Siding

Do not nail through overlaps.

Expansion gap for siding.

Remove any sawdust dirt or debris from the gap to prep it for finishing. Use a keyhole or reciprocating saw with a fine tooth blade to remove enough material from one of the pieces of lap siding. Gap for expansion wherever siding butts accessories. When installing in freezing weather below 40.

Siding must be cut in lengths to provide for expansion. Face nail with two nails per piece for 8 inches patterns and wider keeping nails 2 1 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for dimensional movement without splitting. Allow for expansion and contraction. Create a proper 3 16 space at minimum between the two pieces of siding.

Choose the right nails. Do not caulk between siding and any built in receiving channels located at or around windows. Leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim or other materials to allow for structural movement. Increase to 3 8 9 5mm when installing in temperatures below 40 f 4 4 c.

As a result the expansion gap between the top of the tongue and bottom of the groove can range from o to 1 8. Allow a 1 8 inch expansion gap between pieces if the siding is air or kiln dried. If the panels are 20 feet 6 1 meters or longer refer to the manufacturer s instructions for how to increase the gap. An improper expansion gap may have similar consequences to the results shown above especially if the milling process is irregular.

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. Always caulk between the siding and the trim. Vertical trim gap caulking.