Vinyl Siding Glossary

A
Aluminum Siding	Horizontal planks of aluminum with a baked-on enamel finish
American Hardboard Association (AHA)	The national trade organization for the manufacturers of hardboard products
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)	ANSI is a private, nonprofit organization that oversees the voluntary standardization and assessment of US products, to enable the US to better compete globally and enhance the quality of life in the US by conformity to product standards
American Society of Testing Materials International	ASTM International is a nonprofit organization that helps develop voluntary standards for products, services, materials and systems all over the globe

B
Battens	Narrow strips of wood placed over joints in vertical wood plank siding to seal the joints
Beveled	Clapboards that are tapered rather than cut perfectly rectangular
Brick ties	Accordion-type metal fasteners used to attach a brick veneer to the wood framework of a house
Brick veneer	A wall construction method in which a layer of bricks is attached to the wood framework of a house using brick ties
Buttlock	Located on the bottom edge of a vinyl panel which locks onto the previously installed panel

C
Carpenter ants	Large black ants that make may make their nests in walls, behind siding, or in insulation; carpenter ants don't eat wood they excavate wood to build their homes in the cavities left behind
Caulking	Waterproof material used to seal joints at intersections of building components, used with some types of siding
Checking	A crack or split along the grain in wood plank siding as a result of cupping
Clapboard	Overlapping, horizontal wood plank siding made from either rectangular planks or taped planks
Composition board	Blanks or sheets of weather resistant compressed wood fibers used as siding
Course	Each row of siding material
Cupping	A warp across the board in wood plank siding

D
Detachment	Separation of the siding material-veneer or stucco- from its attachment to the house
Double course	An undercourse of shingles or shakes, not exposed to the weather, is covered completely by a top course
Dust mites	Virtually walking stomachs

F
Face	The part of the vinyl panel that is visible once the vinyl is installed
Flashing	A type of sheet metal used at intersections of building components to prevent water penetration, flashings are commonly used above doors and windows in exterior walls and are used under the siding to prohibit water penetration

J
J-channel	A manufacturing component of vinyl or aluminum siding systems which have a curved channel that the planks fit into, used around windows and doors to make a weathertight seal

L
Lintel	A steel angle iron or beam over window and door openings that spans the opening and transfers the weight of the masonry to the sides of the opening

M
Milled planks	Various cuts of plank siding, including V-groove, channel, rabbeted bevel, shiplap and drop
Model Building Code	These building codes vary by area of the country and are considered the standard for that area
Moisture permeable	A surface that allows moisture to pass through it

P
Panel Projection	The amount that a panel of vinyl sticks out away from the wall, you should choose the largest profile for the style of panel you want
Plywood siding	Plywood sheets, some with a grooved or decorative outer surface

S
Scarfed joint	Joint used in plywood siding where edges of abutting sheets are angle cut to fit snugly and prevent water penetration
Shiplap	A style of milled plank, used in siding, that is laid close enough so as to appear to be butted
Single course	Wood shingles or shakes applied where each course is exposed to the weather
Spalling	Crumbling and falling away of bricks, concrete or blocks
Stucco	A type of water resistant, plaster like siding material made of cement, sand and water; it may have an acrylic finish

T
T & G	Tongue and groove, a connection system between components, like wood, in which the tab or tongue of one board is placed into the grove at the end of another board
Termites	Social insects that live either in the ground or in wood and eat wood, they can cause serious structural damage to a home

V
Vinyl siding	Horizontal polyvinyl chloride planks
Veneer	Veneer is one ply or one thickness of something; in siding there are brick and stone veneers, there are also veneers of one wood bonded to another

W
Wall cladding	Another term for siding
Wall sheathing	Sheets of plywood or wood planking used to cover the wall framework of the house
Windload Pressure	Is a measurement of how well a panel might perform in high wind areas
Wire mesh	A mesh attached to the wall sheathing and studs used to anchor a stucco base coat to the wall
Wood plank siding	Rectangular wood planks, installed horizontally or vertically
Wood shakes	Thick, rough, uneven shingles that hand split, split and sawn on one side, or sawn on both sides, used as siding
Wood shingles	Sawn shingles that are of uniform thickness

Siding

How do I know it is time to replace my siding?

Existing cracking or brittle areas.
Current siding looks chalky or faded.
Areas continue to blow off in high winds.
Missing areas or broken areas.
Existing siding is wood.
Insects continue to penetrate your home.
Excessive energy costs.

If you have seen any of these warning signs you need an estimate. Neglecting your siding can cost you money by decreasing the home's value, increasing maintanence costs and endless costs associated with painting.

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