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CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Installation Guide
88
Soffit
You can use solid vinyl panels or perforated vinyl panels for soffit
installations. Perforated panels provide ventilation, which helps to
reduce heat buildup in the summer and ice dams in the winter. In
buildings with roof ridge vents, you should install ventilated soffit.
Check local building codes to determine the amount of ventilation
required. In high windload areas, you should also check local
building codes to determine if the application methods that are
required differ from those described below.
The procedure used to install soffit depends on the construction
of the eaves:
• Open eaves—eaves with exposed rafters or trusses—are
typical of new construction. You will also have to use open eave
installation procedures if you have to remove damaged soffit at a
remodeling project.
• Enclosed eaves—eaves with soffit in place—are typical of
remodeling projects.
Installation over open eaves
The first step in installing soffit is to install the proper receiving
channels. You have several options for receiving channels. You can
use accessories such as F-channel or J-channel, or you can make
channels using coil stock. The best approach is to select a method
that works most effectively with the construction techniques used
to create the eave. Examine figures 1 to 4 and find the one that
most closely resembles the construction methods used on your
particular project.
If no F-channel is available, J-channel can be modified to create
F-channel. Simply cut slots in the nail flange area where it would be
nailed to the wall. After cutting the nail flange, bend the flange back
and nail it to the wall. When installing Beaded T2" panels, use 3/8"
H-bar or 3/8" J-channel.
Installing receiving channels
Install the receiving channels following the details shown in figures
1 to 4. Nail the channels every 16", positioning the nail in the
center of the slot. Do not nail tightly.
If the eave span is greater than 16", you will have to install nailing
strips (as shown in figure 4) and install the receiving channels on
the nailing strips.
If the soffit will turn a corner, cut and install the channel so there is
1/4" for expansion at each of the adjoining walls.
open truss
fascia
cap
or coil
stock
soffit
F-channel
16" to 24"
Fig. 1
open truss
F-channel
J-channel
soffit
16" to 24"
Fig. 2
open
rafter
F-channel
soffit
fascia
cap
or coil
stock
Fig. 3
J-channel
soffit
16" to 24"
16" to 24"
add
nailing
strips
add
framing
Fig. 4
To determine the maximum
permissible span, consult page 89
and local building codes.