01/11/2026
Siding job start up process:
⁃ snap control line around building
⁃ check soffit /freeze board for level and see if you can use one or the other for butting top of story pole too. ( I always shoot for bottom of freeze so my story pole is same size as overall siding height for less confusion.
⁃ Make a story pole, the same number as your overall bottom of siding to very top finish for courses .
⁃ mark control line on story pole
⁃ Measure bottom and top of windows where you really want to hit nice looking courses around. (focal points of the house)
⁃ Figure out what you can and can’t hit and at least make sure the ones that you can’t hit,(to be full courses) that you don’t end up being smaller than 1 inch for course under window or over window, etc.(shooting for a 1/2 course height or larger is best in my opinion)
⁃ Siding can be + or - 1/2 inch of desired course reveal (example 5 inch course can be 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 max deviation from course size)
⁃ Siding courses can change 1/16 at a time up to 1/8 at a time (per course) (shooting for as many courses being the same as possible for aesthetics and ease of install)
⁃ I often times i have three different spots. I’m trying to hit example bottom of main windows / top of main windows/ and freeze board or top of siding.
⁃ Example, bottom of story pole to bottom of window could be perfect 5 inch courses then for bottom of window to top a window could be 4 7/8 then from top of window to freeze could go up to 5 1/8 (changing corses max 1/8 at a time )
⁃ If there’s different height walls, I will use the main story pole with marked out control line and create smaller or larger stored pole following the main story pole so you don’t have to cut or try to extend the one and only story pole. You will have multiple of the same marked out story pole, but which is different overall height so you could fit story pole in different locations. ( example inside porch or if there is a jog in height in foundation)
Helpfull notes:
If using a Rain screen like a slicker product getting one with like a mesh front so you can snap control lines and story pole lines on it can help eliminate mistakes . Yes as you start to side, you cover the lines however, if there is big walls or you can’t do it all in one shot it is easier to follow the lines that are snapped as a way to double check and make sure things are tracking correctly.
- don’t forget kick out flashing, especially when using a Rain screen as it is difficult to tuck siding behind step flashing, etc., and need something to kick out water onto face of siding.
⁃ use different color, fine point sharpies when marking out story pole and marking snap lines on the house to help eliminate confusion and keep things crispy
