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Installing the Siding Panels on your VersaTube Garage

The siding panels not only keep inclement weather out of your VersaTube garage, they are also a major contributor to its finished appearance. This tutorial will walk you through the installation process and provide some helpful tips that should ensure you’re proud of the look of the completed structure.

Okay, we finally made it – you’re now ready to start installing siding panels on your VersaTube garage. But when you really think about it, the project has gone very quickly and you have to admit it feels pretty good to see what your hard work has accomplished each day. Well get ready to be amazed as the next two phases of the project will finish the job and you’ll soon be able to pull a vehicle into the garage you built with your own two hands and a little bit of help.

Installing Door and Window Trim

Your VersaTube kit should include door and window trim that serves two purposes: it gives a finished appearance to the areas where the siding panels meet the door and window jambs and it also helps to channel water away from the openings to guard against leaks. Installing the trim is about the same for both windows and doors – just follow these steps:

  • Cut a piece of J channel trim for each side of the opening – the trim can easily be cut with tin snips. The trim should extend from the concrete slab (or the bottom of the window opening) to the underside of the door or window header.

  • Hold the J channel so that its long edge is flush with the edge of the jamb and the flange or bottom of the J is away from the opening. Secure the trim with screws through the flange and into the jamb. Install a piece of trim on both sides of the opening.

  • Cut a piece of J channel 2 inches longer than the top of your door or window frame. Use your snips to make 2 one inch cuts in from each end to form a tab that can be bent down at a 90 degree angle. Refer to your VersaTube instructions for a diagram of this step before making the cuts.

  • Install the J channel over the door or window opening so that it’s flush with the jamb by screwing through its flange and into the framing. The two tabs should extend down into the side J channels to channel water away from the top of the door.

  • If you have a window opening, install a piece of J channel on the underside of the window just as you did at the top, but in reverse. The J will face down and the tabs will be bent up into the side J channels.

Installing the door and window trim is very easy, but is one of those jobs that it really helps to look at a drawing before starting. Your VersaTube instructions will have illustrations that should help a lot when cutting and placing the trim.

Installing the Siding Panels

There are two very important issues to keep in mind when installing the siding panels on your building that will go a long way to ensuring that you end up with a beautiful completed project. Make sure each panel is plumb prior to securing it to the framing and double check at least every other panel with your level so you don’t gradually stray. The siding panels have vertical ribs and while your naked eye may not notice that they’re not perfectly straight during installation, you and everyone else will definitely notice once all the panels are in place. Don’t trust your eye – use a measuring tape and level during installation.

The other consideration is screw alignment. While the screws used to secure the siding panels will have heads the same color as the siding, they will still be noticeable and look a lot better if installed in straight lines on all four sides of the building. The easiest way to accomplish this is to not screw the end fasteners all the way in on your first siding panel on each side of the building. Attach a string to the screw and measure its height up from the slab – then go down to the other end of the building, make a mark on the framing at the same height and install a screw partially at your mark. As you install each siding panel, pull the string tight and install your screws along the line. This procedure may slow you down a bit, but it will definitely be worth it when all your screw heads are lined up perfectly at the end of the project.

To install the siding panels follow these steps:

  • Start at the back of one of the garage sides and line the rear edge of a panel up with the framing corner post. Your panels should be provided at the proper height so the only trimming that needs to be done is at door and window openings.

  • Once the panel is in the proper position – the bottom edge should be in your sheeting edge if applicable or just above the top of the slab otherwise – secure the panel to the framing with screws on both sides of each primary panel rib. Use the screws that match your siding color and each fastener should have a rubber washer.

  • When installing screws, work your way from the back edge of the panel to the front to flatten out any bulging in the panel. Don’t place any screws at the front most rib yet.

  • Overlap the next panel one rib and secure in the same fashion. Your first screws on the panel should be through 2 pieces of siding: the panel you just placed and the previous piece installed.

  • Work your way to the front of the building in this fashion and then install panels on the other side.

Window and door openings can be cut out by making a mark with your level or a straight edge and cutting with tin snips. Cutting along the length of the panel is even easier if you use a straight edge along your mark and then score the panel with a utility knife. Make your horizontal cut with the snips and then just bend the section to be removed back until it snaps off. Allow about 1/8 inch between the edge of the siding panels and the inside edge of the J channel around the windows and doors. This should be enough to permit the panel to slide into the trim without being so tight that it binds.

Important Note – utility knife blades and siding edges that have been cut can be very sharp. Take your time when making cuts and use caution when installing trimmed siding panels.

Installing Front and Rear Siding Panels

The front and rear walls of your garage are a little different than the sides as the roof pitch affects the top edge of the siding panels. If you check your panels and instructions, you’ll see that VersaTube provided longer panels for these two areas, but the top angles will need to be cut to follow the roof line. Install the front and rear siding panels by following these steps:

  • Determine the center of the rear wall of your garage. In many cases there will be a framing member in this spot, but if there’s not, make a mark on the slab. This will be the tallest point of your siding on this wall.

  • Take the piece of siding designated for this location and using your level or a straight edge, draw a line from the right top edge of the panel to a point 9 ½  inches down from the top left edge — this line is your roof pitch. Regardless of the width of your building, the 9 ½ inches should work. Cut along this line.

  • Install the piece of siding so that the right edge lines up with your center mark and the bottom is in the sheathing ledge or just above the slab. Screw the panel from the right edge, but don’t place any screws at the first rib.

  • Work your way to the left corner of the building installing panels just as you did both side walls. You will need to cut the angle for the top of each piece. Remember to check panels for plumb before securing and align screws just as they were on the sides.

  • Now go back to the center and begin working toward the right rear corner of the building but these panels will slip under the previous panel rather than overlap – that’s why you didn’t secure the first rib on the initial panel.

  • Do the front of the garage in the same fashion – starting in the center and working to both sides.

The siding panels around all door and window openings on the front and rear of the building can be handled in the same way as those on the sides were done.

Installing Corner Trim

VersaTube includes 4 corner trim posts to cover up the exposed edges of your siding panels at the corners of your building and installation is very easy. Just cut the trim to the proper length using your tin snips and secure it in place using the self-drilling screws that have heads the same color as the trim. The trim should be secured into the girts on both sides of the corner.

Installing Eave Trim

The part of your building where the downward slope of the roof meets the top of the siding panels is called the eave and VersaTube supplies a trim to cover the exposed ends of roof and siding panels for here as well. The trim has a flat edge that fits up against the top of the siding panels on the sides of the building and an angled top that accepts the ends of the roof panels. However, before installing the trim, your building may have foam closure strips that should be placed between each roof truss at the eaves – check your VersaTube instructions for further details on these weather-strips. Install the eave trim by following these steps:

  • Start at the rear of one of the building sides and hold a piece of eave trim up so its rear edge is flush with the edge of the corner post trim.

  • Have a helper hold it in place.

  • Lay a level or straight edge on top of the end roof truss so that it extends out over where the eave trim will be located. Move the eave trim up so that it touches the bottom edge of the level and make a mark at the bottom of the trim on the siding panel.

  • Do the same thing at the forward end of the eave trim – make your marks very light so the siding isn’t damaged.

  • Secure the trim in place by screwing through the face where it crosses the primary ribs on the siding panels. Do not place any fasteners into the top of the eave trim at this time.

  • Install additional pieces of trim until you reach the front of the building with each piece overlapping the previous trim about 3 inches. The front edge of the last piece should be flush with the front edge of the front corner trim.

All siding and trim should be fastened with screws that have rubber washers.

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