This glossary lists some of the most commonly used siding terms, including a number of different product names and descriptions.
This glossary lists some of the most commonly used siding terms, including a number of different product names and descriptions.
View Siding Guide RSS feedDon't know your buttlock from your battens? Most people don't. This glossary lists some of the most commonly used siding terms, including a number of different product names and descriptions. Don't let industry lingo stand between you and your vision!
Have you ever been to a foreign country and felt as though you'd landed on another planet? Language barriers create at best awkward moments, and major miscommunications at worst. The same can be said in the home improvement world, where specialized lingo is not only confusing, but can stand between you and your home vision. The following terms are among those most commonly used in the siding industry.
Aluminum Siding: A common type of siding requiring little maintenance. Typically purchased in horizontal planks with a baked-on enamel finish.
Battens: Narrow strips of wood placed just over joints to seal them in vertical wood plank siding.
Beveled: Clapboards that are tapered rather than cut into perfect rectangles.
Brick Ties: Metal fasteners used to attach brick veneer to the wood frame of a home.
Brick Veneer: A brick layer covering which is attached to a house's wood framework and replaces traditional masonry.
Buttlock: A vinyl panel's bottom edge, which locks into the previously installed panel.
Caulking: A waterproof material used to seal joints and intersections of building components.
Cement Fiber: A type of engineered siding made from a variety of materials, such as Portland cement, wood fibers and sand.
Checking: A split or crack along the grain in natural wood siding. Often a result of cupping.
Clapboard: Overlapping, horizontal wood planks.
Composition Board: Planks/sheets of weather-resistant compressed wood fibers. A type of siding.
Course: A row of siding material.
Cupping: A warp across wood plank siding.
Detachment: Separating siding material, such as veneer or stucco, from the home.
Double Course: An under-course of shingles not exposed to the weather
Engineered Wood: A wood alternative made from compressing wood fibers.
Face: The part of the panel that is visible once installed.
Flashing: Sheet metal which is used at intersections of building materials to prevent water penetration.
J-Channel: A component of vinyl or aluminum siding systems, this is a curved channel that planks fit into to. Makes a weather-tight seal.
Lintel: A steel angle iron or beam over a window or door opening that transfers the weight of the masonry to the sides for more stability.
Milled Planks: Different cuts of plank siding.
Moisture Permeable: Surfaces that allow moisture to pass through.
Panel Projection: The amount of a panel that sticks out away from the wall.
Plywood Siding: Plywood sheets, often with a grooved or decorative outer surface.
Scarfed Joint: Joints used in plywood siding where the edges of abutting sheets are angle cut in order to fit snugly and to prevent water penetration.
Shiplap: Milled planks laid close enough so as to appear to be butted/flush.
Single Course: Each course/shingle/etc. is exposed to the weather. No under-layer.
Spalling: Crumbling of bricks or concrete
Stucco: Weather-resistant, plaster-like siding material consisting of cement, sand, and water.
Vinyl Siding: Horizontal planks made of polyvinyl chloride.
Veneer: One thickness of something, such as bricks or stones bonded to one another, then attached to the wood framing of your home.
Wall Sheathing: Sheets of plywood or wood used to cover the wall framework.
Windload Pressure: Measurement of how well a panel might withstand high winds.
Wire Mesh: Mesh which is attached to wall sheathing and studs and used to anchor stucco base coating to the wall of a home.
Wood Plank Siding: Rectangular wood planks, typically installed vertically.
Wood Shakes: Thick, uneven shingles that split on one or both sides for character.
Wood Shingles: Like shakes, but of a uniform thickness.
Liquid siding, liquid stucco and liquid ceramic coating manufacturers often claim their products can be sprayed on to your home with long lasting-permanent results. Some contractors even give a 20 to 25 year warranty on their products. Sound too good to be true? You may be right.
Do you want to know the real costs of a vinyl siding project? Are you looking for a rough estimate of a typical vinyl siding project? If so, read this article for the details about the costs of vinyl siding pricing.
Did you know that vinyl siding comes in hunter greens and other bold colors? Read this article to learn more about what colors vinyl siding is available in.
Have you decided that vinyl is the material for your siding project? With that squared away, it's time to choose what style of vinyl siding that you want. Read this article to learn more about flat plank, shingled, and textured vinyl.
Are you familiar with cedar shingles, composite wood and aluminum as siding? Read this article to learn more information about these house siding choices and which one best fits your needs.
For homeowners who want to save money by installing siding themselves, this article will help prepare for this home improvement project. You'll find out which tools will be needed and where to find installation and measurement resources.
Are you wondering if siding is really as affordable as experts claim? Read this article to find out the price ranges for vinyl siding.
Wondering how much your siding will cost you? Here is a guide to the warranties and cost associated with several types of siding.
Many know (and appreciate) that vinyl is among the easiest siding products to install and maintain, but simplicity doesn't have to mean boring. This article discusses just a few of the several styles of vinyl siding available on today's market, including: Traditional, Dutchlap, Beaded, Scalloped, and Shakes.