What goes at the bottom of siding?
Daniel Johnson
Published May 02, 2026
Most manufacturers produce a starter strip that secures the bottom course of siding to the sheathing and holds it at the proper angle. As shown in the diagram, a wooden spacer can be used to provide the proper angle for the first strip.
What is the bottom piece of siding called?
Buttlock: the bottom edge of a siding or soffit panel, or accessory piece, opposite the nailing slots, which locks onto the preceding panel.Should the bottom of siding be sealed?
DO NOT seal the bottom with any sort of impermeable caulking nor spray foam. The bottom should remain permeable so that if water gets behind your siding for whatever reason then it has an escape path.What do you put between siding and ground?
Fiber cement should be kept at least 6 inches above the ground. It's recommended to keep the bottom edge of the first course even with the bottom edge of the trim. The most popular brand of fiber cement is James Hardie. In fact, the name is practically synonymous with the siding material.Do i need foam board under vinyl siding?
The exterior insulation also helps keep the siding (all vinyl siding leaks!) further away from the exterior sheathing. Basically it creates another drainage plane that helps protect the sheathing and framing from damaging water infiltration.What To Do If Lower Section of Exterior Siding Is Buried in Dirt – Building Repair Tips
What are the parts of siding?
Below are some siding terminology definitions to help you understand your next siding project.
- Backerboard. The material that is nailed to the studs on the exterior side of the wall, providing a surface area to fasten the siding and trim.
- Buttlock. ...
- Center Butt. ...
- Channel. ...
- Course. ...
- Crimp. ...
- Drip Cap. ...
- F-Channel.