Expansion Gap For Siding

Allowing for expansion and contraction.

Expansion gap for siding.

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. Increase to 3 8 9 5mm when installing in temperatures below 40 f 4 4 c. These will serve as starter strips in which to lock the vertical siding. Leave 6 4mm gap at the top and bottom.

If you are using primed siding you must seal all exposed cuts of siding including those at butt joints. Choose the right nails. For horizontal applications start with the bottom course and work up with the channels pointing upwards. For siding up to 6 inches wide use one nail one inch up from the lap.

Leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim or other materials to allow for structural movement. Allow a 1 8 inch expansion gap between pieces if the siding is air or kiln dried. Vinyl siding must be nailed so expansion and contraction are not restricted. If joint moulding option is selected add the thickness of the web to the gap allowing a net 3 16 in.

Allow a 1 4 in. To avoid structural or aesthetic problems associated with temperature fluctuation take the following steps. Do not caulk between siding and any built in receiving channels located at or around windows. Lap siding can be installed horizontally or vertically.

Do not nail through overlaps. 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. Vinyl siding contracts and expands as the outside temperature changes. James hardie recommends that a slip sheet joint flashing is installed behind each butt joint in the siding.

Gap for expansion wherever siding butts accessories. Vertical trim gap caulking. 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.

And it can move a lot through expansion and contraction especially along the length of the clapboard style panels. Do i need to seal edges at a butt joint. Siding must be cut in lengths to provide for expansion. If the panels are 20 feet 6 1 meters or longer refer to the manufacturer s instructions for how to increase the gap.

Hardie boards should be joined in moderate contact. This means that the boards should be touching each other when they are installed. There is no need to leave a gap for expansion.