Preparing for Siding

You do not know how bad I wish I could say that today we start siding.

After getting the doors trimmed out, time to start siding, right?

Uh, wrong.

This huge pile of siding is going to stay a huge pile of siding for a while longer.

We still have to trim out each and ever single door and window with metal C Channel and flashing that does 2 things:

1. Hide ends of siding
2. Protect the Momplex from water drainage

And what a long, tedious job this turned out to be!

Remember we had just finished trimming out the garage doors with white composite trim?

Well, over that trim, goes the flashing and C Channel.

Momplex

Step 1 Diagram

Step 1

On top of the garages - and all doors and windows for the matter - goes this drip flashing. It basically protects the tops of your doors and windows from water, pushing water out the ends and front. The ends are cut and bent by hand, one at a time, with a pair of tin snips.

Step 2 Diagram

Step 2 Instructions

And then it's set on top of the opening and screwed in place. Take for granted that there's a good deal of silicone going in EVERYWHERE at each and EVERY step.

Step 3 Diagram

Step 3 Instructions

After the top drip edge strip goes on, the sides of openings are trimmed with C Channel - or J Channel? Sometimes they call it different names, but basically, it's metal flashing in a C or J shape (one edge elongated) so you can screw it to the building.

Step 4 Diagram

Step 4 Instructions

You can see that the siding itself gets tucked in there, so butt end cuts are hidden.

Step 5 Diagram

Step 5 Instructions

And then a special piece of the channel is put on top. It's special because the ends are cut for water drainage, wrapping the end corners.

Step 6 Diagram

Step 6 Instructions

The top channel is fitted in place.

Step 7 Diagram

Step 7 Instructions

And then the corners are very carefully mitered. Each and every open is done this way.

Step 8 Diagram

Step 8 Instructions

For the corners, there's a special L flashing that is put up first at a very specific distance from the corner ends.

Step 9 Diagram

Step 9 Instructions

That's because later on, you put this W flashing over it, and then eventually, the corner trim gets snapped over that. We'll get to that in a few posts ...

Step 10 Diagram

Step 10 Instructions

You know how you see a building getting sided, and it's like the siding goes up overnight? Well, the siding DOES go up fast. It's the prep work that takes forever!

Step 11 Diagram

Step 11

And the Ram was being especially picky about getting all the windows very pretty and sealed in just right.

Step 12 Diagram

Step 12

Multiply that by more windows on each side ... and you get the idea. Many days were spent prepping the Momplex for siding.

Step 13 Diagram

Step 13

Along the entire bottom edge of the Momplex, metal flashing was stapled at grade. And then over that a drip edge. And then over that FINALLY the siding starter strips!!!!!!

Are we finally going to side yet????

Step 14 Diagram