Siding Terms Every Homeowner Should Remember

When discussing siding replacement, repair or maintenance with your contractor, you may hear terms that might be unfamiliar to you. Understanding the meaning behind them goes a long way in taking care of this important home exterior component. 

Triangle Home Exteriors, one of the top home exterior remodeling companies in North Carolina, shares a glossary of common siding terms every homeowner should remember.

Batten

It refers to a strip of wood that seals joints in wooden siding. “Board and batten” siding typically refers to the old wood siding that had boards and battens to fill the gaps between the boards.

Buttlock

It keeps the siding from moving around. It’s the bottom edge of a siding that locks into a previously installed panel.

Channel

It refers to the area of the accessory trim or corner post where siding panels are inserted. It also refers to the trim itself, which is named for the letters of the alphabet they resemble, like F-channel or J-channel.

Course

It is a row of panels running the length of the house from one side to the other, or from top to bottom if it is a vertical siding.

Face Nailing

It is the act of fastening directly onto the “face” or visible side of a panel. This method is usually frowned upon by most siding contractors.

Lap

It is the process of overlapping the ends of two siding panels or accessory pieces to allow the material, especially vinyl, to expand and contract.

Miter joint

It is the intersection of two panels at a 90-degree angle. For a better appearance, miter cuts are made into an overlapping siding or soffit panel surface.

Plumb

Also known as a square, it is a position or measurement that is 90 degrees from a level, horizontal surface.

Scoring

It refers to running a knife blade or other sharp tool across a siding panel face without cutting all the way through. This weakens the siding surface in a specific area and allows the panel to bend and snap off easily.

Weep holes

These are openings that are cut into siding or accessories to allow built-up moisture to run off and out of your siding.

For your siding needs, turn to Triangle Home Exteriors. Our team of exterior home improvement contractors also provide quality roof replacement and repair services. Call us today at (919) 615-1101 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Cary, NC, and the surrounding areas.