Installation and Technical Terms
During the siding installation process, you’ll probably hear your siding specialist saying terms while trying to explain what’s wrong with your current siding or how they are going to install your new siding. To spare you the trouble of asking your specialist to explain what each new word means to you, here’s a rundown on some of the most common terms used by the pros pertaining to technical things that happen during and after installation.
Square – Unit of measurement used by most roofing and siding specialists. A square is equal to 100 square feet.
Bevel – A type of cut where the edge or end of an object is narrower than the rest of it. A good example of a beveled edge would be the edges of shiplap siding, but beveling can also be used on individual panels to alter its appearance.
Miter cut – A type of beveled cut designed to accommodate an adjacent part. Usually done to the ends of flashing or starter strips that intersect at a wall joint.
Scoring – Creating a groove on a surface of the siding to create a weak point making it easier to split.
Caulking – Material used for filling holes in order to form a solid, seamless surface. The same term is also used to refer to the process of applying the material.
Lap – To overlap the siding panels (as in lap siding). This is usually done to provide enough room for the siding to expand or contract according to changes in temperature.
Cupping – A type of problem that happens to siding panels when they expand at the middle, making them bulge out. Associated with wooden siding panels.
Checking – Cracks that appear on cupped wood siding. Can be a major weak point for the panel, potentially causing it to split completely if subjected to strong impacts.
Blistering – Associated with vinyl siding, bubbling occurs when moisture and air causes the top layer of the siding panels to form air pockets.
Well that’s it, the end of our 3 Part blog series “Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding.” Now you are ready to talk to your siding installation contractor like you know what you are talking about!
