How to Install Vertical (Board & Batten) Siding

In general, CertainTeed vertical siding is installed using the
same techniques you learned for lap siding. However, there
are some different things to remember about preparing the
wall and fastening the siding. For more detailed instructions
about vertical siding, refer to the Vinyl Carpentry™
Installation Guide (CTS205).
Preparing Wall Surfaces
For the most part, the wall preparation instructions given for
horizontal siding (see Chapter 9) also apply to vertical siding.
The key requirement, of course, is that you start with a smooth,
level, and rigid substrate (plywood, wood composite, rigid
foam, or fiber sheathing).
New Construction
When the substrate is plywood or wood composite, you will not
have to modify the substrate. You can attach the fastener into
the substrate at any point.
If the sheathing is rigid foam or fiber:
• Install solid wood nailer strips horizontally to the studs before
you apply the sheathing.
• Use 1 x 3 wood furring positioned 12" on center.
Remodeling
When remodeling over wood siding, apply rigid foam or fiber
sheathing. Shim the sheathing as necessary to create a level
surface.
When you remodel over brick, block, stucco, or irregular
wall surfaces:
• Fasten 1" x 3" furring strips horizontally, 12" on center, to
the stucco. Use ring-shanked nails or screws, and attach the
fasteners to the studs.
• Install rigid foam sheathing to the furring strips. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions, and use washers to prevent
penetrating the sheathing with the heads of the fasteners.
• On masonry, use masonry fasteners. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Snap a Chalk Line
If the house is reasonably level, find the lowest point of
the sheathing (in new construction) or old siding
(when remodeling).
1. Partially drive a nail at one corner 1" above the
lowest corner.
2. Attach a chalk line.
3. Stretch the chalk line from this nail to the opposite
corner of the house.
4. Use a line level or 4' (minimum) level to make sure
the line is level.
5. Snap the chalk line and repeat the entire procedure
around the entire house.
A laser level or water level, a long clear plastic tube 90% filled
with water, is useful in marking points around the house and on
opposite sides of openings like doors.
CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman Education & Development Program
10. How to Install Vertical (Board & Batten) Siding
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Objectives
In this chapter, you’ll learn that some of the installation
techniques for vertical siding differ from those for horizontal
siding.
• Sheathing, particularly for new construction
• Vertical expansion and contraction
• Installing J-channel
• Panel layout
Installing Trim
Install outside and inside cornerposts using the dimensions and
procedures described on pages 22-23.
Do not install starter strips for vertical siding.
Top and Bottom J-channel
You will have to install top and bottom
J-channel to receive the vertical siding.
1. Snap a base line 1" above the low point
of the house.
2. Using the chalk line as your guide, install
J-channel along the bottom of the
sheathing.
3. To overlap the J-channel, cut a 1" section of the nailing
flange and face return. Overlap the J-channels 3/4".
4. Install inverted J-channel along the top of the wall, under
the eave.
5. Leave a 1/4" gap between the J-channel and the
cornerposts.
6. You should also allow for the vertical expansion of the
J-channel. In most cases, position the J-channel at a point
equal to the length of the panel, plus 5/8" (1/4"
for upper expansion and 3/8" for lower expansion).
7. If the wall requires more than one course of siding, use two
lengths of J-channel, back-to-back, at the joint between the
two courses.
If you are going to install soffit, you may want to install
the receiving channels for the soffit now. You can use either
inverted J-channel (back-to-back with the panel
J-channel) or F-channel to receive the soffit.
Intermediate J-channel
If the wall requires more than one course of siding, you will
have to install J-channel for each course.
1. Snap a chalk line parallel to
the bottom J-channel, at a
height equal to the length of
the lower panel, plus an
allowance for expansion.
For example, if the lower
panel is 144" long and
you’re adding 1/2" for
expansion (because the
temperature is above 40° F),
strike a line 144-1/2" from
the bottom J-channel.
2. Attach inverted J-channel
along this line to receive the panels from below.
3. Leave a 1/4" gap between the panels and the cornerpost.
4. Overlap the J-channel 3/4".
5. Apply head flashing above the inverted J-channel.
6. Fasten the J-channel over the flashing to receive the
upper panel.
CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman Education & Development Program
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F-channel
soffit
J-channel
vertical
siding
J-channel
1"
3/4"
vertical
siding
flashing
J-channel
vertical
siding
soffit
J-channel
vertical
siding
Window Flashing
All windows must be properly flashed before you install trim.
Before you begin, determine the width and the height of the
flashing. There are two things that determine these important
measurements:
1. The type of accessory surrounding the window—the flashing
should extend past the nail flanges of the accessory.
2. Where the final complete course of siding stops below the
window—the flashing must be wide enough to divert water
over it.
3. The height of the window—the flashing should be long
enough to divert water over the nail flange of the last
complete course of siding panels and extend up under the
top flashing.
Window and Door Trim
To trim windows and doors, install J-channel along the top and
sides of the door casings and around windows.
If you are installing J-channel around replacement windows
that do not have nail flanges, flash the window before you trim
it. Also, for best results, use aviation snips when cutting the
J-channel.
Before you begin to miter cut the corners, make sure the Jchannel
is cut to the proper length. Leave the proper allowance
for the width of the face of the J-channel. Then:
1. Square cut the bottom J-channel so that its ends extend
beyond the window casing to the width of the face of
the J-channels.
2. Notch the ends for clearance.
3. Position and fasten the bottom J-channel.
4. Measure the side J-channels. Add the width of both
the top and bottom J-channels.
5. Miter cut (45°angle) the lower ends of both side
J-channels.
6. Notch the channels, position them, and fasten
the side J-channels.
7. Mark the top J-channel so its ends extend beyond
the casing to the width of the side J-channels.
8. Miter cut the channel ends.
9. Cut and bend water tabs on the top J-channel.
10. Position and fasten the top J-channel.
Gable Ends
To hang vertical and Board & Batten siding on gable ends, you
must first install J-channel. For a professional look, follow these
four easy steps.
1. Hold a piece of J-channel against the slope of the gable.
With a pencil, transfer the angle to another piece of
J-channel. This is your template for the angle of the gable.
2. Trace the angle of the template on the end of a length of
J-channel. Be sure to extend the line onto the nail flange.
Cut away the channel face and the nail flange.
3. Turn the pattern over and transfer the opposite angle to the
second J-channel. Be sure to extend the angle onto the nail
flange. Cut away the nail flange and the return lip, but do
not cut the J-channel face.
4. Insert the full-faced J-channel into the mitered J-channel. If
the nail flange or return lips butt and prevent a tight fit, trim
off additional material from the second J-channel.
Note: For a more decorative appearance, you can also
use 3-1/2" lineals or 5" lineals to trim gable ends.
Instructions for installing lineals are in the Vinyl
Carpentry™ Installation Guide (CTS205).
Installing Vertical Siding
Before you begin to install the panels, there are two things you
should consider: the layout and expansion and contraction.
Planning the Layout
When vertical siding is installed on a wall, it should have a
balanced appearance. This means that if you draw a vertical line
down the center point of a wall, you should have an equal
number of panels on each side of the line. For example, if the
wall requires 25 full 12" panels plus 10", rip cut two 5" widths
of vertical panels to create the end pieces.
Expansion and Contraction
Vinyl building products expand and contract as the temperature
changes. You must allow for this movement when you attach
siding and accessories to the wall. Follow these guidelines to
determine the space required for vertical expansion and
contraction:
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CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman Education & Development Program
• In a vertical installation, most of the expansion is downward.
So, instead of allowing equal space for expansion at both
ends, leave more space at the lower end. Allow for 1/3 of the
expansion at the top and 2/3 at the bottom.
• If the total expansion
equals 3/4", allow 1/4"
at the top and 1/2" at
the bottom.
• To allow for proper
expansion and
contraction of vertical
siding, position the topmost
fastener at the top
of the top nail slot
(2a). Center fasteners
in the remaining slots (2b).
Installing Wall Panels
If partial panels are necessary, cut the first of the partial panels.
1. Mark the cut line by measuring from the nail hem edge.
2. Rip cut the panel.
3. Do not cut off the nail hem.
4. Use a snap lock punch to cut locking tabs 6" apart
along the cut edge.
You will need to compensate for the locking channel that was
trimmed off before you install the partial panel into an inside or
outside cornerpost.
1. Insert furring into the channel of the cornerpost and fasten
it to the substrate.
2. Install a length of undersill trim into the cornerpost and
fasten it to the furring.
3. Slide the cut edge of the panel into the undersill trim,
making sure you engage the snap locks.
Using a level, make sure the panel is plumb and nail it every
12". Install the next panel by locking it into the previous panel.
Fasten the panels every 12".
When it is necessary, cut the panels to fit around doors and
windows.
1. When marking the cut, remember to allow for expansion.
2. If a cut was made next to a remaining V-groove, insert the
panel into the J-channel.
3. If a cut removes the support supplied by a V-groove:
• Insert furring into the J-channel receiving pocket and
fasten it to the substrate.
• Install a length of undersill trim into the J-channel
receiving pocket and fasten it to the furring.
• Slide the cut edge of the panel into the undersill trim,
making sure you engage the snap locks.
To finish the first course of the wall, cut the final panel to
size, and install it in the cornerpost, using the method
described above.
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CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman Education & Development Program
1/3
2/3
2a
2b
Summary
• Vertical siding must be installed over a rigid, solid, and even
substrate.
• Vertical siding is fastened through the nail slots of the
siding, with fasteners spaced no more than 12" apart.
• When vinyl siding is installed vertically, most of the
expansion is downward. When installing vertical siding,
allow for 1/3 of the expansion at the top and 2/3 at the
bottom.
• Vertical siding should look balanced. Make sure that any
partial panels are divided equally on both sides of the wall.
When you use partial panels, rip cut two equal panels. Use
these partial panels as end pieces.
• Top and bottom J-channel are installed to receive vertical
siding. If more than one course of siding is installed, install
inverted J-channel at a height equal to the length of the
lower panel, plus an allowance for expansion.
• When installing more than one course of siding, always
install head flashing above the inverted J-channel. Nail the Jchannel
over the flashing.