Understanding Your Home’s Siding: A Homeowner’s Glossary
When you need siding repairs, the jargon can get confusing really quickly. What’s a clapboard? Does my house have trim? How important is caulking?
If you’re confused about what siding repairs you need and what’s involved in a new siding installation, we have you covered. Stop being confused by professional estimates and get honest, clear answers about what you, and your home, need.
Politz Enterprises has been helping homeowners with new siding replacements since 1963. When you have questions, concerns, or just need a professional for a consult, we’re here to help.
Siding Guide for Homeowners
Backerboard
The base layer of your siding that attaches directly to the studs, the backerboard is the solid surface to install your siding and trim directly onto. You may encounter problems with your backerboard if your siding peels away and exposes this underlayer.
Channel
The channel of siding is the groove or open slot in a piece of trim or corner siding. It accepts the siding for a secure lock and connects siding pieces together to create a seal against water, pests, and other damage.
Course
A single row of siding running across a wall is a course. For vertical panels, a course spans from the top to the bottom.
Drip Cap / Head Flashing
A drip cap is also called a head flashing. It is the trim installed above vertical siding, windows, or doors to deflect water and prevent moisture from getting behind the siding. Without a drip cap, you risk water damage behind your siding. If you need siding repairs because of moisture, check your drip cap first.
F-Channel
You may hear your siding contractor talking an F-channel. This is a trim piece designed to hold siding at a 90-degree angle. It is often used at edges or where siding meets another surface. This is important to protect your large siding panels and connect them securely around the odd shapes of windows or other exterior fixtures.
Face
The face of your siding is the visible surface of a siding panel after installation. You may hear a siding contractor say “the siding face”, referring to the panel that has been successfully installed and facing outward.
Fascia Board
You’ll hear references to a fascia board for gutter installations, roof repairs, and siding work. The fascia board covers the ends of roof rafters, creating a finished edge along the roofline and supporting gutters. It helps give your home that finished appearance. However, a fascia board may be exposed to damage in extreme weather.
Finishing Trim
Instead of a straight design, a finishing trim is a decorative trim used to give siding and soffit panels a polished appearance at the edges. This can almost be considered a crown molding equivalent of the exterior of your home, to create a design that adds a bit of flair to your home.
Flange / Nailing Hem
The portion of siding or trim with pre-drilled holes for fastening to the backerboard. Knowing what the flange/nailing hem is is critical in case there was a problem with manufacturing and the holes weren’t drilled correctly.
Flashing
You may hear about flashing in regard to a new roof replacement or siding installation. Flashing is the material used to redirect water away from siding or trim, protecting structural elements from moisture damage. If you ever notice damage to your flashing, you want to call for siding repairs ASAP.
Furring Strip / Strapping
Wood or metal strips attached to uneven surfaces are called the furring strips or strapping. These create a flat plane for siding installation and ensure proper alignment. A poorly done siding installation may skip the strapping, leading to bigger problems down the line.
Inside / Outside Corner
The inside and outside corners are the trim pieces designed to join siding courses at 90-degree corners, either inside or outside edges. These are fairly straightforward but important to understand when inspecting your siding for damage.
J-Channel
The most common trim piece, the J-channel forms a groove for siding edges around windows, doors, eaves, and soffits. You always want a secure J-channel to protect your home’s exterior, especially around vulnerable areas that would otherwise include a gap.
Lap
The overlap of one siding panel or trim piece over another, a lap is essential for water protection and aesthetic continuity. You may choose your lap design when picking siding panels. This can impact the overall appearance of your home, but a lap must also have consistent coverage and depth to create a seal.
Lock / Locking Leg
Locks are the mechanisms on siding panels that allow them to snap securely into place, holding the panels together across courses. This gives your siding that seamless, one-piece appearance.
Soffit / Ventilated Soffit
The soffit is the panels installed under roof overhangs, protecting the underside of rafters while often allowing airflow into the attic through small, screened openings. You may be dealing with soffit repairs for either a new roof replacement or a new siding installation.
Starter Strip
The bottom strip that anchors the first course of siding and ensures straight, level installation is the starter strip. This sets the base level and direction for your siding installation.
T-Channel
A T-channel is the trim used to join the ends of two siding panels, often where horizontal siding transitions to a vertical gable. This can help connect different siding directions seamlessly for a finished look without any gaps.
Underlayment
Any protective layer placed between siding and the home’s exterior wall is considered an underlayment. The underlayment adds additional moisture protection to homes and may be recommended to Maryland homeowners due to our extreme weather conditions and climate.
Weep Holes
Small openings in siding or trim are weep holes, that allow trapped water to drain away, preventing damage and mold buildup. Weep holes are critical for Maryland’s high humidity and heavy rains to keep siding ventilated.
Need Siding Repairs in Maryland?
When you need siding repairs to correct issues with your underlayment, T-channel, flashing, fascia board, or any other element, we are here to help. We understand everything about siding, from the backerboard to the final siding face.
We can consult on siding repairs, energy-efficient siding upgrades, and siding designs to help improve your home value and curb appeal. Call today for a free estimate and discover what the siding pros at Politz Enterprises can do for you. Serving all of Maryland and select neighboring states.
