FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Siding & Exterior Trim

Guide Home
  • Choosing Siding
  • Installing Siding
  • Choosing Exterior Trim
  • Installing Exterior Trim
  • Repairing Siding & Trim
How-To

How to Install a Vinyl Soffit

Learn how to lay out, cut, and fasten a vinyl soffit before you install the siding panels.

By Andy Engel
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

The primary reason for using vinyl siding is to create a low-maintenance exterior; the same goes for the vinyl soffit.

Like all siding, tar paper or housewrap and flashings are critical to keeping water out. The Vinyl Siding Institute’s (www.vinylsiding.org) installation manual recommends covering the corners and 1 ft. beyond with rigid flashing such as aluminum. I think adhesive membrane works just as well or better but hesitate to ignore such specific instruction.

Step for installing vinyl soffit

Install the aluminum flashing first. 1 Then fasten a 2× nailer for the soffit panels to the wall. Level over from the subfascia at each end of the wall to find the elevation. 2 Snap a line on the wall. 3 Fasten the nailer on and just above this line with 10d commons or longer. 4 Cut the vinyl soffit panels on a miter saw 1⁄4 in. or so shorter than the distance between the wall and the subfascia. 5 The Vinyl Siding Institute says to cut vinyl with a plywood blade installed backward in the saw to avoid cracking the material. I’ll do that in the cold, but I rarely bother in the summer, instead cutting more slowly.

Cover corners behind vinyl siding with aluminum flashing
1) Cover corners behind vinyl siding with aluminum flashing, extending the flashing at least 1 ft. beyond the corner on each side.

Establish the end points
2) Establish the end points of the soffit nailer by leveling over to the wall from the subfascia.

Snap a line between the end points
3) Snap a line between the end points to locate the bottom of the soffit nailer.

Fasten the nailer to the wall
4) Fasten the nailer to the wall, aligning its bottom with the chalkline.

Nail the first soffit section to the subfascia and the nailer using 1 1⁄4-in. or longer roofing nails through the centers of the slots in the panel. 6 Don’t set the nails tight here, or in any piece of vinyl. Vinyl has to be allowed to move with changes in temperature (see “Temperature Tactics” below). Tack the other side of the first piece of soffit with a nail through one of the vent holes. Don’t worry much about supporting this end—the fascia will hold it up. Hook the buttlock (the edge of the piece of vinyl siding or soffit opposite the edge with the nail slots) of the second section into the flange of the first piece. 7 You’ll feel it click in. Continue this procedure until the soffit is complete. Trim the last piece on a miter saw or with snips. 8

Cut this material slowly
5) Cut the first soffit section (and all vinyl) with a miter saw. Cutting this material slowly will avoid cracking it.

Hammer the nails snug
6) Fasten the first section of vinyl soffit to the framing with roofing nails. Hammer the nails snug, not tight.

Hook the next section
7) Hook the next section of vinyl soffit to the first, then nail its opposite end.

Trim the last soffit section with snips
8) Trim the last soffit section on a miter saw or with snips (usually more convenient) and install it as the other sections.

 

Temperature Tactics

Unlike most other siding, vinyl doesn’t change dimension with changes in humidity, but it does move—a lot—with changes in temperature, expanding in the heat and shrinking in the cold. You can hear it moving when the sun hits it on a cold morning. Consequently, you have to take thermal expansion into account during installation.

Never install vinyl siding so its ends fit tightly between two surfaces—it will buckle in the heat. Instead, cut it about 1⁄2 in. short—about 5⁄8 in. short if the heat is extreme and about 3⁄8 in. short when installing in the cold. Vinyl trim always has a channel into which the siding slips, hiding gaps and cut ends.

 


Carpentry CompleteExcerpted from Carpentry Complete: Expert Advice from Start to Finish, by Andy Engel

Available at Amazon.com.

 

Previous: Tools for Vinyl Siding Next: Aluminum Fascia Fabrication and Installation

Guide

Siding & Exterior Trim

Chapter

Installing Siding

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

View Comments

  1. CT_Yankee | Jun 30, 2022 04:51pm | #1

    Not so sure I agree with the last sidebar: "Never install vinyl siding so its ends fit tightly between two surfaces—it will buckle in the heat. Instead, cut it about 1⁄2 in. short—about 5⁄8 in. short if the heat is extreme and about 3⁄8 in. short when installing in the cold. Vinyl trim always has a channel into which the siding slips, hiding gaps and cut ends."
    -
    If the vinyl and the air temperature is hot when installing, the vinyl has likely expanded to its near maximum length. It should be cut to a length that is slightly shorter than the space it's going into. Definitely not 5/8" short.
    Conversely, If the vinyl and the air temperature is cold when installing, the vinyl has likely shrunk to its near minimum length. It should be cut to a length that is much more shorter than the space its going into - more like the 5/8" that is stated. Definitely not 3/8" short as it may expand more than 3/8" when the temperatures climb.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Siding & Exterior Trim

Siding & Exterior Trim

Trusted, comprehensive guidance from the pros for choosing, installing, and repairing siding and exterior trim

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Siding & Exterior Trim Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Choosing Siding
  • Materials
  • Design Options
Installing Siding
  • Siding Basics
  • Lap Siding
  • Shingle Siding
  • Board & Batten
  • Fiber Cement and Composite Siding
  • Vinyl Siding
  • Masonry Claddings
Choosing Exterior Trim
  • Trim Materials
  • Trim Design
Installing Exterior Trim
  • Trim Basics
  • Roof Eaves Trim
  • Corner Boards
  • Corbels & Brackets
  • Window & Door Trim
Repairing Siding & Trim
  • Trim Repairs
  • Siding Repairs

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data