Siding Fundamentals

Aluminum Siding: Durable, lightweight siding material made from aluminum, known for its resistance to rust and low maintenance.

Backer Board: A supportive board installed behind siding to provide a solid surface for attachment.

Bevel Siding: Tapered boards installed horizontally with the thicker edge overlapping the thinner edge below, offering a classic look.

Board and Batten: Vertical siding style with wide boards and narrow strips (battens)covering the seams, often used for a rustic or farmhouse appearance.

Butt Joint: A simple joint where two boards are joined end to end without overlapping.

Caulking: Material used to seal joints or seams in siding, preventing water and air infiltration.

Channel: The groove or slot in siding that allows for the overlapping of boards, helping to prevent water intrusion.

Cladding: Any material used to cover the exterior of a building, providing protection and enhancing appearance.

Composite Siding: Made from a mix of materials like wood fibers, plastics, and resins, offering durability and low maintenance.

Corner Post: The vertical trim piece at the corner of a building where siding ends meet, providing a finished look.

Course: A horizontal row of siding or shingles.

Cupping: When the edges of a siding board warp or curl up, often due to moisture exposure.

Dutch Lap Siding: A style of horizontal siding with a decorative groove, giving the appearance of handcrafted wood.

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System): A multi-layered siding system that provides insulation, water resistance, and a textured finish.

Expansion Joint: A gap left between siding panels to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.

Face Nailing: A method of attaching siding by driving nails through the face of the panel, often used in trim installation.

Fascia: The horizontal board attached to the roof edge where gutters are mounted, often clad in siding for protection.

Fiber Cement Siding: A composite material made from cement, sand, and cellulos efibers, offering the look of wood with added durability and resistance to fire and insects.

Flashing: Thin metal sheets installed around roof and wall features to prevent water from seeping into the structure.

Furring Strip: Thin strips of wood or metal used to create a level surface for installing siding.

Gable End: The triangular upper part of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof, often clad in siding.

Gutter Apron: A type of flashing used at the edge of the roof to direct water into the gutters, protecting the underlying structure.

Insulated Siding: Siding with a foam backing that adds extra insulation to improve energy efficiency.

J-Channel: A trim piece used to hold the edges of siding panels, typically around windows and doors.

Lap Joint: A type of joint where two boards overlap, providing a secure and weather-tight connection.

Lap Siding: Siding composed of long, horizontal boards that overlap each other, providing a classic, traditional look.

Liquid-Applied Membrane: A coating applied in liquid form that hardens to create a water proof barrier.

Loose Siding: Siding that has come loose from the structure, often due to improper installation or weather damage.

Masonite Siding: A type of hardboard siding made from wood fibers and resins, known for its smooth finish.

Metal Siding: Durable siding made from aluminum or steel, known for its strength and resistance to fire, insects, and rot.

Moisture Barrier: A layer of material installed behind siding to prevent moisture from entering the wall cavity.

Molding: Decorative trim used to enhance the appearance of siding edges and joints.

Nailing Fin: A flange on the edges of some siding panels designed to be nailed directly to the wall frame.

Nailing Hem: The reinforced edgeof a siding panel designed to hold nails securely and prevent wind uplift.

Overlapping Joint: A method of joining siding panels by overlapping one over the otherto create a watertight seal.

Patching: The process of repairing damaged areas of siding by replacing or covering the affected section.

Primer: A preparatory coating applied to the surface before painting to ensure better adhesion and durability of the paint.

Rainscreen: A system that allows water to drain and air to circulate behind the siding, preventing moisture build-up.

Reflective Insulation: Insulation that reflects radiant heat, often used in conjunction with siding to improve energy efficiency.

Seam: The line where two siding panels meet.

Shake Siding: Siding that mimics the look of hand-split wood shakes, adding texture and a traditional aesthetic.

Shiplap Siding: Horizontal siding boards with a rabbet joint that creates a tight, overlapping fit, popular for its clean, modern look.

Siding Nail: Nails specifically designed for attaching siding, with a larger head to prevent pull-through.

Sill: The bottom horizontal part of a window or door frame, often clad in siding to match the rest of the exterior.

Single Course: A single horizontal row of siding panels.

Soffit: The underside of the roof overhang, often ventilated to aid in attic ventilation.

Spalling: The breaking or flaking of siding material, often due to freeze-thaw cycles or other environmental conditions.

Starter Strip: The initial row of siding installed at the base of the wall to ensure a level starting point.

Stile: The vertical piece of a frame that holds the siding panels.

Stone Veneer: Thin slices of natural or manufactured stone applied to a structure for a high-end, textured look.

Stucco: A cement-based siding material applied in multiple layers to create a textured finish, common in Mediterranean and Southwestern-style homes.

Substrate: The surface on which siding is applied, often plywood or OSB.

Synthetic Stucco: Also known as EIFS, it’s a multi-layered exterior finish system that provides insulation and a textured finish.

Thermal Bridging: The transfer of heat through a material that is more conductive than the surrounding materials, often a concern with metal siding.

Tongue and Groove: Siding boards that fit together with a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other, providing a seamless appearance.

Trim Board: Decorative and protective boards installed around windows, doors, and corners to enhance appearance and seal edges.

Underlayment: A layer of material installed under siding to provide additional protection and support.

Vapor Barrier: A material designed to prevent moisture from passing through walls or roofs.

Veneer: A thin layer of material, such as stone or brick, applied to a structure to provide an attractive exterior finish.

Vertical Siding: Siding installed vertically, creating a different aesthetic and often used in modern or rustic designs.

Vinyl Siding: A durable, low-maintenance siding material made from polyvinyl chloride(PVC), known for its wide range of colors and styles.

Vinyl Soffit: Vinyl panels installed under the eaves to provide ventilation and a finished look.

Wall Sheathing: The boards or panels that cover the wall frame and provide a base for siding.

Warping: The distortion or bending of siding material due to moisture or heat.

Water Table: A horizontal trim board installed at the base of a wall to deflect water.

Weatherboard: Another term for lap siding, often used in British English.

Weatherstripping: Material used to seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent drafts and improve energy efficiency.

Weep Hole: Small openings at the bottom of siding or masonry to allow moisture to escape, preventing damage.

Wood Siding: Natural wood boards or shingles used for exterior cladding, offering a traditional and attractive appearance.