Cut Vinyl Siding
#1
03-02-10, 09:14 AM
Cut Vinyl Siding
I need to cut out a section, 3 3/4" W X 8' H, of vinyl siding that is installed on my house. What is the best tool & method? Thanks for your help.
#2
03-02-10, 09:45 AM
Super Moderator
Will it matter if you cut the underlying sheathing?
I think I have seen people attach a board (a 1 X 4 would be perfect in your case) w/screws to the area to be cut, then use a circular saw(with a ripguide) with the blade on backwards. The board gives you a flat surface to run the saw on and so the depth of cut will be consistant. Then you can manually do the upper and lower 3 3/4" wide cuts with a boxcutter.
I think I have seen people attach a board (a 1 X 4 would be perfect in your case) w/screws to the area to be cut, then use a circular saw(with a ripguide) with the blade on backwards. The board gives you a flat surface to run the saw on and so the depth of cut will be consistant. Then you can manually do the upper and lower 3 3/4" wide cuts with a boxcutter.
#3
03-02-10, 10:01 AM
It's easy when you know how!!! I can't cut into the sheathing, which is made of some sort of gypsum board (1950), since I must attach a 2 X 4. I plan to attach the 2 X 4 with toggle bolts since screws will not hold. Any ideas on that?
#4
03-02-10, 10:25 AM
Tin snips get my vote if you can't use a power tool. Of course a multimaster would make light work of it, or a Dremel tool with a cutting blade.
#5
03-02-10, 10:39 AM
Super Moderator
Yeah...tin snips would be an option..little slower of course. Never used a Dremel...wouldn't it melt the siding Larry?
When I said cut the sheathing...it would just be a groove..not all the way through..thats what the 1X4 is for..to keep a constant depth.
Well..wait a second...attaching a 2 x 4 to the gypsum won't hold much either...you can't go into a stud or framing? What is this going to hold?
When I said cut the sheathing...it would just be a groove..not all the way through..thats what the 1X4 is for..to keep a constant depth.
Well..wait a second...attaching a 2 x 4 to the gypsum won't hold much either...you can't go into a stud or framing? What is this going to hold?
#6
03-02-10, 11:47 AM
I am installing a sun room (SunPorch Sunrooms, Patio Enclosures, Patio Rooms, Sun Rooms and Sunroom kits shipped all over the United States.) I can borrow a multimaster. The gypsum with a 2 X 4 attached with toggle bolts should be OK since the load would be coming off the 2 X 8 at the top which will be screwed in to a header and studs. Here is what I will be doing: How to Attach Your Sunroom Addition: Sun Room Kits from SunPorch
#7
03-02-10, 12:11 PM
Super Moderator
Ahh..ok....
Boy I'd still try to find some solid attachment. Maybe what I'm thinking of is different from what you actually have. Gypsum to me...I think drywall.
Boy I'd still try to find some solid attachment. Maybe what I'm thinking of is different from what you actually have. Gypsum to me...I think drywall.
#8
03-02-10, 04:28 PM
Group Moderator
Is there existing wood siding under the vinyl siding? Or foam fanfold? Because both of those would hold you off of the gypsum.
Besides, if you barely score the gypsum it won't hurt anything. I'd attach a 1x4 as mentioned, onto the area of vinyl siding that will be removed, using it as a guide like gunguy mentioned.
But I'd use a cement masonry blade on a circular saw to cut it. Use the multimaster to finish the cut anywhere the skilsaw won't reach.
Besides, if you barely score the gypsum it won't hurt anything. I'd attach a 1x4 as mentioned, onto the area of vinyl siding that will be removed, using it as a guide like gunguy mentioned.
But I'd use a cement masonry blade on a circular saw to cut it. Use the multimaster to finish the cut anywhere the skilsaw won't reach.
#9
03-03-10, 05:08 AM
Gunguy.....It is like drywall but stronger. In the days of TV antennas, many homes around here mounted their antennas through the asbestos shingle and gypsum board. I don't see my 2 X 4 as load bearing.
XSleeper.....No, it's gypsum board, fan-fold and siding. I might get lucky and end up on a stud but I'm held to the dimensions of the enclosure width.
XSleeper.....No, it's gypsum board, fan-fold and siding. I might get lucky and end up on a stud but I'm held to the dimensions of the enclosure width.
#10
03-03-10, 03:56 PM
Group Moderator
The fanfold will keep your saw blade from scoring the gypsum, provided you set the blade at the right depth. You're good to screw the 1x4 to the high points of the vinyl siding and saw away. Screw the 1x4 in about 5 places so that it holds the 1x4 tight to the siding, before you start cutting. I don't like the backwards blade technique, so that's why I use the abrasive blade, it works great and never cracks siding.
#11
04-06-10, 05:04 AM
I just wanted you to know that the project is done. I used my cordless circular saw with the blade running backwards. I drew my lines and cut the siding free hand. I got lucky with where the 2 X 4's had to be mounted ended up right on a stud. Thanks for your help.
