How to Measure & Install Vinyl Siding

Measure the height and width of the wall on which you want to install vinyl siding. Multiply the height by the width to find the wall's area in square feet. If more than one wall will be covered with vinyl siding, repeat the process and add all the areas in square feet. The result is the amount of vinyl siding needed for the project.

Unroll insulation boards. Line up the first board with one of the bottom corners of one wall you will cover in vinyl siding. Nail the board in place through the wall studs. Line up the next board above the first board and flush with the first board. Nail the second board in place through the wall studs. Repeat the procedure until the wall is covered in insulation. Cover the gaps between the insulation boards with joint tape.

Line a vinyl siding starter strip along the bottom of the wall, using a spirit level to keep the strip straight. Where more than one starter strip is required, leave a 1/4-inch gap between the strips to allow for expansion in hot weather. Nail the starter strip to the wall using a hammer and nails.

Screw vinyl siding corner posts on the inside and outside edges of the wall, leaving a 1/4 inch gap at the wall's top to account for expansion. If the wall has doors and/or windows, measure and cut J-channels to the length of each window and/or door frame. Nail J-channels above doors and windows as well as below windows.

Nail an undersill trim horizontally under the eaves at the top of the wall. Nail undersill trim under all windows, too.

Align the first piece of vinyl siding with the starter strip, and nail the siding in place. Line the next piece of siding with the first piece so the second piece overlaps the first by 1 inch. Nail the second piece of siding in place. Repeat the procedure until the wall is covered with vinyl siding.