How to cut vinyl siding. How and what is the best way to cut vinyl and metal siding. Cutting tools

Starting to clad the facade, you should take care of the availability of all necessary tools. What might be needed in this case? Devices for fastening and cutting facing sheets. And if the fasteners are sold complete with siding, you need to think separately about the availability of tools for cutting the finishing material in the photo. These tools include:

electric saw, jigsaw,
hacksaw or scissors for cutting metal,
Bulgarian,
construction knife.

How to cut siding panels

It is fair to say that not only amateurs, but also professional builders. The fact is that siding is vinyl, metal and plastic. Each of the types requires the use of a suitable tool.

Often, vinyl-based panels are used for facade cladding. Of course, experts have a question: what is the best way to cut vinyl siding? After all, the instructions that come with the material indicate that the panels should be cut with a saw with thin teeth. In the case of an electric saw, it is almost impossible to pick up a disc with such teeth. Not a single large, reputable manufacturer makes such a tool. And even if you are lucky enough to find a disc with fine teeth, you still won’t be able to make a beautiful cut. Small recesses, e.g. for cladding window openings will have to be cut with ordinary construction scissors. Thus, an electric saw is not the most the best choice for cutting vinyl and metal siding. However, for plastic panels this tool is also not suitable, because the plastic cracks from the action of the saw, and chips appear on the surface.

Not the best choice for cutting siding panels is a jigsaw. Firstly, this tool can only be used in warm weather, because in cold weather the jigsaw may not work at all. Secondly, the tool only performs cross cutting. End cuts are not made with a jigsaw. Thirdly, for cutting siding, it is necessary to use fine-toothed blades designed to work with a laminate board.

For those who doubt how to properly cut the siding, it is recommended to use a hacksaw. This tool will easily cut metal, plastic, vinyl material, and in any weather. However, the length of the hacksaw blade is not sufficient for comfortable cross cutting, so for this case, you need to choose another additional tool.

Cutting metal siding with your own hands, it is convenient to use scissors for working with metal. Experts recommend using this tool only in the warm season, because in the cold season, sheets for facade cladding are deformed and cracked. Scissors are convenient to use for cutting along the direction of sheets, for processing end parts it is recommended to choose another tool.

A knife is absolutely useless for cutting siding. This tool should not be used either for processing end parts or for transverse cutting of panels.

Indispensable the best option tool for cutting siding, is a grinder. To cut plastic, vinyl, plinth or metal siding, you need to select a disk one and a half millimeters thick and 12.5 cm in diameter. Choosing the appropriate rotation speed, you can easily make both end and longitudinal cuts. In this case, it is very important to follow the rules safe work with the tool because careless attitude can lead to injury and damage to the siding.

How to properly cut siding with a grinder is shown in the video.

Thus, the best tools for cutting all types of siding, including basement, are a grinder and scissors for working with metal. The processing of panels using these two types of tools is fast and without loss of quality. appearance lining. It is important to follow the rules for working with tools in order to avoid damage facing panels and accidental injury.

The structure of a material is determined by its constituents. Products are made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, which is made from petroleum products and chlorine components through a complex technological cycle. The content of PVC in products reaches 80%, the rest is modifiers, stabilizers and pigments. The components are mixed, after which the mass is heated and molded on special equipment into panels about 1 mm thick.

A feature of high-quality modern plastic siding is that it is produced by co-extrusion. This method allows you to create parts where the components are conventionally placed in layers: the upper layer is responsible for resistance to external influences. surrounding nature, while the bottom provides strength and stability.

High-quality panels consist of 2 layers - external decorative and protective and bearing

On a note! Also on sale are more cheap material, collectively called "Grey-back siding". Its structure is different from the previous one. The product contains recycled PVC, which makes the panels brittle. Cutting becomes difficult, because the site is unstable, which leads to the appearance of creases and cracks.

Tool overview

For work, various devices can be used, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Widely used in construction and decoration. Usage features:

An electric jigsaw can be effective and cut to length if necessary. To do this, it is equipped with a special holding device, set to the desired size.

Electric (circular) saw

A hand-held circular saw is a handy but rather expensive tool.

Can be manual or stationary. Works with vinyl panels have the following nuances:

Difficulties arise when choosing a saw blade: almost all options are available with fairly large teeth, not very suitable for plastic.
Cutting off is complicated by the need to hold the part firmly, because the tool works at high speeds.
Cutting out small sections is almost impossible. In addition, the manual version partially closes the view, which does not allow you to control the process.
A significant problem can be the weight of the tool. Under load the panel (especially irregular shape) bends, which leads the cut to the side.

Circular saws convenient to perform even cuts over large areas

An alternative could be cut-off saw with a broach, but it is also not without some of the described shortcomings.

Hacksaw for metal

It is the simplest and most affordable option.

It is possible to cut siding with a hacksaw, but the process is long and laborious

Peculiarities:

Although the files have required size teeth, speed does not allow processing a large number of vinyl material. It will take serious effort to maintain the right pace, and fatigue will lead to mistakes.
Only edges that are carefully hidden behind additional elements can be trimmed, since the canvas is not too rigid and can lead the cut to the side.
Cutting parts along the length is possible, but it will take a lot of time, because the cut section will have to be divided into pieces. In addition, the butt of the saw will interfere with precise execution.

Accordingly, the use of such a tool will be extremely ineffective.

Scissors for cutting metal

The use of PVC siding scissors must be done with great care.

When choosing scissors for metal, their type should be taken into account, as there are right, left and straight models.

Work is carried out in warm weather. This rule is true for all instruments, because when low temperatures vinyl becomes brittle.
Scissors are only suitable for panels with medium density not too hard and not cheap.
The cut is performed in the same way as when working with metal - only part of the blades is involved in the process, without complete closure. Otherwise, a crack is likely to appear.
Difficulties arise when cutting complex shapes and when working with the upper locking part of single-fracture parts, since it has a thickened bend.

Cutting vinyl panels with scissors for metal is quite difficult, and your hands get tired quickly

Such a tool requires significantly more time than the previous version, but the result will not meet expectations.

knife cutter

The device can be used for cutting plastic, but taking into account some features. The process will take time and extreme accuracy; it will not work to process many details with great accuracy.

First, a recess is created on the cutting line, for this a limiter is set - a ruler or a rail, then it is necessary to repeatedly draw the tool along the mark. A similar procedure is recommended for reverse side. After all the manipulations, the panel breaks.

A sharp mounting knife is good for deburring and cutting small hard-to-reach fragments

While the process appears to be effective, it is actually extremely complex. The fact is that the siding profile (especially with several waves) does not have a flat plane, so making a single cut is problematic. Difficulties will also arise with the upper castle part due to the curved structure. The result will be a broken panel, so it is better to completely abandon such a tool.

Bulgarian

corner Grinder is an popular fixture for work with vinyl material.

It is not advisable to use high-power grinders for working with PVC, the best option will low power models with disc 125 mm

To obtain a high-quality result, some nuances are taken into account:

A light weight tool with a power of up to 1 kW is selected. This will allow you to complete the work quickly enough and without any extra effort.
The part should be cut at speeds no higher than average. This will prevent damage and edge melting.
The panel must be held, otherwise it can be knocked out and deployed.
The disk should be of small thickness and size.
Unreliable holding of the tool during a set of revolutions can create problems.
The grinder is set exactly to eliminate the curvature of the cut.

Cutting plastic at high speeds is undesirable

Attention! When working, you need to remember safety precautions, which is true for other tools, be sure to use glasses.

straight grinder

This is a multifunctional device with large quantity nozzles. Can be used to cut off excess PVC siding.

Direct grinding models differ from grinders only in the location of the disk relative to the axis of the tool

Peculiarities:

It is possible to work with the tool in different positions (even on weight), but it is recommended to hold it parallel to the panel or with a slight inclination.
In the process, you can adjust the number of revolutions.
Difficulties can arise if you need to cut the siding to length. Big details will take a long time, and the tool will start to overheat.
The resulting clean cut is great for joining additional elements or decorative moldings.

With the help of such a tool, you can correct the shortcomings of already installed parts.

Straight blade tool for easy trimming in place

Reciprocating saw and electric scissors

Alternatively, other cutting attachments:

Electric shears for working on plastic - not the best option

Such tools will only take time and effort.

findings

To properly and accurately cut vinyl siding, it is best to use a grinder. A straight grinder or a jigsaw (if you have certain skills) can compete with it. But regardless of the selected tool, the cut should not be in the center of the line, but along the outer edge, if the margin is not taken into account in advance.

Kirill S, (Samara) asks a question:

I want to sheathe the cottage with siding. I have not yet decided whether it will be vinyl or metal. If everything is clear with the walls, then in difficult places the material needs to be "cut". This refers to the joint of the side wall with the roof overhang, lining under the window. Any advice on how to cut vinyl and metal siding?

The expert answers:

Extremely wide panel facing material at the joints requires trimming. This can be either a longitudinal, transverse cut, an angular cut to the required size, or a figured "drank" under the window, for example. In any case, metal siding and vinyl are processed.

Any batch of certified siding material is supplied with instructions for its installation. The cutting mechanism is also painted there. As often happens, good professional tool is not cheap. Buying it for one-time work (cladding) is impractical, so resourceful "homemade" adapt standard equipment for cutting siding panels.

Vinyl siding

Electric jigsaw

For processing vinyl panels, you can use an electric jigsaw. Moreover, they are good at cutting and metal sheets. The performance of the work requires compliance with several conditions:

the cutting blade must be finely serrated;
perform work at a positive air temperature;
the base under the panel must be rigid in order to maintain its geometry and prevent deformation;
before starting work, the handle of the transverse stroke is transferred to position "1".
regulate the speed, trying to stick to it the greatest value, but make sure that the cut lines do not start to melt.

Bulgarian

With a compact lightweight "grinder" of low power (0.8-1 kW), this work is both easier and more dangerous to do. It is necessary to remember that safety precautions are observed when working with cutting electrical equipment, as well as the protection of respiratory organs, vision, and the machine itself from dust. A grinder can cut panels, skirting boards, even in the most difficult areas. To obtain even unmelted edges and edges, a cutting disc with a diameter of 100-150 mm and a thickness of 1.5-2 mm is used.

Knife

Knife cutter. Perfect for straight cuts. Efforts are applied at a minimum, and the quality of the cut is quite satisfactory. It is only necessary to draw the blade exactly along the marking, make a recess, and then, slightly bending the panel, break off the excess strip. Cut with a knife and spotlights, J-trim panels, planks, skirting boards, etc.

Scissors

Metal shears allow you to make an accurate cut anywhere under any conditions (but at positive temperatures) without being tied to the mains. The main thing is to sharpen the blades (knives) well and correctly, start cutting the plate from its upper part, where there is a mount.

Saw

cutting vinyl hand saw for metal, sharpened with a shoe knife, “circular”. It is only necessary that the temperature be comfortable, otherwise it may break off, ... but not where it is needed.

metal siding

Cutting the panel in warm weather can be done with a hacksaw (or regular), metal shears, while in cold weather these tools cause deformation of the siding along the notch line.
In such cases, a carbide fine-toothed tool will do. A circular electric saw cuts metal siding. You can work with it in any conditions, in any weather without compromising quality: the incision is even.
Manual "circular" with victorious teeth allows you to make a cut in any direction without much effort.

The operation of an angle grinder with an abrasive wheel leads to heating of the panel, damage to the protective top layer, which is fraught with corrosive erosion. Before cutting, as they say, decide, think seven times and calculate everything. And you can always pick up a tool even from that poor arsenal that you have in your own barn or with a neighbor.

Vinyl facade siding- material for wall cladding, which performs a protective and decorative function. Siding panels protect the building from precipitation, harmful effects external environment, and when using the appropriate insulation, they retain heat well.

How to install vinyl siding is discussed in this article.

Features of installing vinyl siding

You can do the laying of siding panels with your own hands, but for this you must follow all the norms and recommendations of specialists.

The main conditions for laying the material are:

Siding panels and fixing elements must not be rigidly fastened. Oval holes are made on them, self-tapping screws are screwed in the center of the holes, but not completely.
Before mounting vinyl siding, you should draw up a sketch that will help calculate vinyl siding (see), which will eliminate errors when cutting the material and subsequent installation.

When performing work on facing a building with siding panels, it is recommended to adhere to the following sequence:

The material is fixed on the crate, which is mounted on any surface.
Before starting installation, prepare the surface.
Installed:

starting bar;
platbands for doors and windows;
inside and outside corners.

An important condition is to take into account the effect of possible thermal expansion or contraction of the panels, which guarantees a ventilated gap to remove water vapor. In this case, in winter money is saved on heating, and in summer the heating of the house is significantly reduced.

How to clean house walls

Before starting work on it is necessary to prepare its surface.

For this:

All poorly fixed boards or wall panels are tightly fixed.
Remains are liquidated old plaster located around doors and windows.
Are removed drainpipes, fastening elements of lanterns and moldings that interfere with the installation of siding.
Are removed climbing plants, branches of trees and shrubs in contact with the wall.
The protruding window sills are removed.
A crate is installed around the entire perimeter of the house. alignment uneven walls must be carried out by installing plywood, wood gaskets under the crate or by reducing the size of the rails.

How to make a crate

Tip: The crate must be used in old houses, otherwise the surface of the sheathing may look wavy.

If the house is built of wood, the crate is made with a metal drywall profile, as shown in the photo (see).

On a brick structure, a crate of 60 mm wooden slats, PVC slats, or metal profile for drywall.
With horizontal sheathing, the slats are nailed vertically, a distance of up to 400 millimeters is taken from the axes.
Elements are mounted along the perimeter of doors, windows, and other openings, at all corners, above and below the surface to be sewn.

Tip: To create flat surface walls for subsequent sheathing, in order to avoid the formation of wavy surfaces, the crate should be covered with insulating material.

Thickness insulating material should be the same as the elements of the crate.
Shouldn't be connected horizontal elements vertical slats, which can create ventilation problems under the siding.

Features of insulation and sealing under siding panels

After the crate is installed, the space between the slats can be covered or filled with insulation (see). When laying it, it is necessary that the installation instructions for the selected type of material are strictly observed.

Tip: When installing thermal insulation, it is impossible to allow the formation of cracks and holes in the insulating layer.

All places on the wall where moisture can penetrate are sealed with sealant:

around doors and windows.
Entrances and exits of mains of water pipelines, gas, electric.

How to choose fasteners for siding

When installing the material, you must:

Protect fasteners from corrosion.
It is best to use self-tapping screws or screws.
Self-tapping screws must be aluminum or galvanized with a cap with a diameter of 8 to 10 millimeters, and a leg length sufficient to penetrate to a structure depth of at least 20 millimeters.
It is not recommended to use vinyl siding adhesive when installing the material. liquid plastic or sealant is taken only to seal the seams.

What permits are needed when installing siding

When attaching vinyl siding, thermal expansion of the material must be ensured.

To do this, when attaching panels to edges and chamfers, you need to leave a certain gap:

During construction in the summer - 6 millimeters.
In winter - 10 millimeters.
Siding should not be fixed very tightly.
There should be a gap of 0.8 to 1 mm between the bottom of the screw head and the panel.
The self-tapping screw should be installed so that its center is in the middle of the oval hole.
It is forbidden to screw self-tapping screws into the front surface of the panel.
Do not stretch the siding while fixing it to the crate.
Self-tapping screws are recommended to be placed at a distance of 300-400 millimeters from each other.

How to cut vinyl siding

Before cutting vinyl siding, you need to decide what you can use for this.

It can be:

Special knife.
Metal scissors.
Bulgarian low power.
Hacksaw for metal, with a small tooth.
Handheld electric saw with an abrasive blade or disc.

How to find out the amount of siding for house cladding

These include:

Building height.
The width of all walls.
Number, size and recesses of windows.
Dimensions of doors and openings

When installing siding panels, it is necessary to calculate the amount of such materials:

Siding- the number of panels for facing all surfaces of the house in square meters, which are converted to pieces. In order to calculate vinyl siding, you must:

calculate total area walls of the building and surfaces to be faced;
subtract the area of the windows from the obtained value, doorways according to the formula: S total. \u003d S of all walls - S windows and doors;
add approximately 7% to the resulting value for unforeseen waste: S siding \u003d S total. + 7%

To determine the siding panels in pieces, the resulting value is divided by the area of \u200b\u200bone panel, which is approximately equal to 0.85 square meters.

Start profile or start bar. Such an element is used to fix the bottom row of material panels and in those places where the siding breaks and its installation begins again. The calculation is carried out in running meters along the entire perimeter of the house, the length of the siding breaks is added and its subsequent installation. The resulting value, in linear meters, is divided by the length of one profile. The result is the number of initial planks.
outside corners. The length of one element is approximately three meters. It is better to calculate them individually, a multiple of the number of outer corners of the building. With a building corner height of five meters, the remains of the outer corners can be taken for facing the remaining corners of the house.
Internal corners. Their calculation is carried out according to the same scheme as the external ones.
Connecting strips. These include H and T profiles. The length of the siding panel is not more than 3.8 meters, which requires the use of elements for docking with a longer length of the wall. Their number is calculated piece by piece, the length of one H-profile is up to three meters.

Tip: You can place H-profiles in a row at the end of the siding panel, and if you need more than one per wall, symmetrically. In this case, it is worth considering the design of the building.

Finishing plank. Such elements are located horizontally on the top panel of the siding and under the windows. When used around window profiles- around the perimeter of these slats.
window profile. Its size is equal to the perimeter of windows and doors, if the openings are recessed no more than 18 centimeters.
J-profile or start profile. The calculation is carried out in running meters. Such an element is located at the end of the plane.
Platbands. Details serve to frame openings.

When installing siding spotlights, it is necessary to calculate:

Soffit, in square meters.
J-profile.
H-profile or connecting bar.
wind boards
Finishing strips.

How to install vinyl siding

Panel mounting technology is as follows:

Installation of horizontal siding begins with the installation of a number of fittings:

start profile;
internal and external corners;
connecting H-profile;
finishing strip;
J-profile.

Installed launch pad. For this:

a nail is driven in above this level by 80 millimeters;
the same nail is hammered on the other corner of the wall;
a rope is pulled between them, its horizontalness is checked by a level;
a line along the rope is marked with chalk;
such actions are repeated around the entire perimeter of the house;
on the chalk line with the upper edge is set start profile.

Tip: Nails into siding and fittings are not driven tightly, to allow free movement of panels when they expand or contract.

Taking into account the expansion of the siding, the distance between the starting adjacent panels, profiles, internal and external corners is taken to be six millimeters.

At the junction of adjacent walls, an internal or outer corner, the top of the corner is six millimeters below the top edge of the wall, and the bottom of the corner is just as much lower from the bottom edge of the starting element.

The first nails are driven in at the top of the uppermost hole on either side. The corner hangs on these nails. After 200 - 400 millimeters, the rest of the nails are driven in in the center of the oval holes.

Siding is installed around the openings for windows and doors.

For these purposes, it is better to use window trims, a wide J-profile or a casing, a simple J-profile.

Planks are mounted around the perimeter of all openings:

with recessed openings into the depth of the wall along the perimeter, window strips are installed, and their free edges are fixed with a finishing strip;
if the openings are not recessed, a wide J-profile or trim should be used.

You can watch the video in this article for more details. Installation of siding panels around the perimeter of the building is carried out from the bottom up.

The first panel is installed in the starting profile, and the upper edge of the part is nailed to the crate. The panel is fixed from the middle, gradually moving towards the edges.
The installation of panels should begin from areas that experience sufficiently large loads: doors, gates, so that the docking points are further from such areas.
If the length of the siding panels is less than the length of the wall, to connect them horizontally, you should take an H-profile that closes the connection of the panels or mount the panels with an overlap. In the first case, the H-profile increases the reliability of the structure and makes it more beautiful. The gap between the siding panel and the profile is six millimeters. In the second case, the siding panels overlap by 30 millimeters on top of each other.
The facade vinyl siding should be joined by arranging the panels in steps, the horizontal distance between adjacent elements should be approximately 600 millimeters.

Tip: Repeat the overlap of panels of material at the same level should be no more than three rows of them. In this case, do not drive nails closer than 150 millimeters to the edges of both siding panels.

The second row is installed after the completion of the first, then the third and so on. Installation of panels in height is carried out with an overlap.
Under the eaves, the last row of siding is mounted, after the installation of the final strip.

If there are external objects, such as pipes for draining water or taps, holes must be made under them. They should be wider by about six millimeters from the interfering elements.

How to install spotlights

After vinyl siding is installed around the entire perimeter of the house. How to fix soffits?

You can use these options:

Using a J-bevel or windboard.

If the width of the element is sufficient to cover the frontal board, it is necessary to perform the following operations:

along the upper end of the frontal board, mount the finishing bar;
before desired width the J-chamfer is cut off and installed in such a way that its upper end is fixed with a finishing bar;
mounted J-profile;
the soffit is cut into the desired segments;
elements are installed in the grooves of the J-chamfer and J-profile;
parts are attached to the crate with self-tapping screws.

Using an outside corner.

If the J-chamfer is not wide enough to close the frontal boards, installation is carried out in the following sequence:

a J-profile is installed along the upper end of the frontal board;
the outer corner is set.
The J-profile is installed in the same way as when using the J-chamfer;
the soffit is cut into elements of the required width;
parts are installed in the grooves of the outer corner and J-profiles.

Tip: Installing spotlights in this way is only suitable for material white color. When using brown, it hits direct sun rays, may begin to fade quickly.

In order for the price of the work to be minimal, it is better to take the advice of professionals and try to do all the work yourself.

In the process of installing siding, in any case, you will need to cut it. In this regard, many people are wondering, In order to carry out the installation of siding, it is necessary to have tools for cutting it in your arsenal.

Today, there are many ways to carry out this operation, and each has its own characteristics, which you can familiarize yourself with by reading this article.

Foreword

A person who decides to finish the building is concerned about what needs to be done to make the house beautiful and at the same time it does not require additional maintenance. Vinyl siding is ideal for solving such a problem (see), and therefore, it has gained its wide popularity.

However, its use is fraught with at least one difficulty - cutting.

In order for the cutting of siding to be done correctly, you must have a set of certain knowledge. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not pay due attention to this aspect, deciding to put it on the shoulders of consumers. So they don't give them detailed instructions resulting in fatal errors.

In addition, it is worth considering the fact that the lion's share of siding manufacturers in the domestic market are foreign companies (see), and in the West it is not customary to do construction operations with your own hands. As a result, siding users are forced by trial and error to try to cut the panels.

The best option seems to be contacting companies that are directly involved in the development of tools for cutting siding. There are quite a few of them in our country, and they are directly cooperating with Western partners.

To date, the following companies producing cutting tools are represented in Russia:

AEG, Kress and Bosch (Germany).
Black & Decker and Skill (USA).
Hitachi, Makita (Japan).
"Bykovsky Tool Plant", "Izhevsk Mechanical Plant" and "Interskol" (Russia).

Tool overview

Now it's time to get acquainted with the features of the tools. Manufacturers offer cutting with tools such as an electric saw, a jigsaw, a hacksaw, scissors, a knife, and everyone's favorite grinder.

electric saw

Firstly, a fairly small number of manufacturers have this type of saw. The world famous Bosch, for example, does not have it at all, despite the fact that it is one of the leaders in this field.
As a result, consumers have a search problem.

Secondly, even if a person has found such a saw, it will be quite difficult to make a cut with it. Simply put, such a tool is only suitable for an experienced specialist.
Thirdly, with its help it is almost impossible to make end cuts. As a result, a person will have to purchase an additional tool for this operation. The question arises, why then use a saw at all?
Finally, the last point worth noting is the fact that only a professional will be able to notice inaccuracies in the cutting process.
This is due to the fact that the person making the cut practically does not see how it is done, since the support platform closes the view. This jeopardizes the success of the entire operation.

It looks extremely strange that the instructions of most siding manufacturers recommend cutting with an electric saw.

It can be seen with the naked eye that this tool is hardly suitable for this operation. Some companies post various images on which it is carried out without any problems. Using a jigsaw, even an inexperienced craftsman can handle it with a saw, but this is only in the picture.

jigsaw

Familiar to many from crafting classes at school, a jigsaw can also be used to cut siding.

However, it is worth clarifying a few important points:

With a jigsaw with the recommended blade size, it is quite easy to make both transverse and longitudinal cuts. But with cutouts on the ends, it will not be possible to cope with this tool absolutely. Another caveat - when using a jigsaw, the cut is largely torn, so this tool can only be used in good warm weather.

Hacksaw for metal

In particular, it is almost impossible to perform a transverse incision with its help. This is due to the fact that working length not enough to complete this operation. However, if you show some skill, it is still possible to accomplish the task.

Tip: stock up on a few replacement blades, as they dull pretty quickly with PVC.

As for the thread at an angle, it is basically impossible to do this with a hacksaw. The same applies to cutting spotlights. As a result, we can state that this tool is suitable only for a limited scope of work.

Metal shears

It is very important to know that you can only cut siding with scissors in warm weather, as at low temperatures the material will begin to seriously crack. However, some models of scissors can give such an effect in any weather, so it is very important to choose them responsibly.

Tip: Before cutting, carefully sharpen your scissors with a special sharpener.

You should also be aware of the following points:

When cutting with scissors, do not completely close their ends, as this will damage the material.
It is recommended to start cutting from the upper edges on which the fastener is located. However, such a measure leads to the fact that a person will make more efforts. In addition, having reached the top edge, the movement of the edges of the scissors will be extremely difficult to stop.

In practice, it turns out that to stop the movement of the edges of the scissors, you need either to practice for a very long time, or to have not a hefty physical strength. However, there is an easier way out of this situation - to start cutting the siding from the underside, contrary to the recommendations.

An inexperienced craftsman may inevitably encounter the fact that as a result of certain efforts during cutting, the siding will begin to wrinkle, and if work is carried out at relatively low temperatures, crack. If you have not dealt with metal shears, watch the instructional video at the end of this article, which will help you understand the basics. However, it is better to practice before cutting, for this you can use a small piece of the panel.

construction knife

Perhaps the most commonplace tool for carrying out this operation is a knife. Almost anyone can handle it. However, does it guarantee cutting accuracy?

As practice shows, making an accurate cut with a knife is quite realistic and you do not need to have special skills for this. The main thing is that it is well sharpened.

Cutting should be done as follows:

A mark is made along the line of the proposed incision with a pencil.
According to the marking with a knife, an even furrow is drawn.
The panel is bent several times until it breaks into two parts.

With this method, you can easily cut straight sections. When it comes to corner elements(For example, window frames) requires a little more effort.

In particular, you will first need to make two transverse cuts, then attach a ruler to them and make a long cut, then bend the cut off element and it will easily break off.

Thus, we can state that the knife is quite a competitive tool for cutting siding. The main thing is to make every effort and know some tricks.

Bulgarian

Almost all siding manufacturers claim that the grinder is capable of damaging the material, therefore, its use is impractical. According to them, in the process of sawing the material will begin to seriously crack. However, is it really so?

Contrary to prevailing stereotypes, some people still decide to use the grinder. To the surprise of many, such a tool does not carry destructive power, but on the contrary, it allows you to achieve amazing evenness.

The main thing is to understand a few important points.

It is worth working at low or medium speeds, since at high speeds there is a high risk of deformation of the panels.
It is best to use medium power models, that is, 1000 - 1400 watts. However, you can use less powerful analogues.
It is important to pay attention to protecting the device from dust. In particular, it is necessary to equip the instrument with a special membrane. Metal dust can harm the grinder if it gets into the engine.
Use only thin disc(within 100-125 mm in diameter and 1.5-2 mm in thickness). More impressive models can seriously damage the surface. In addition, they do not provide high accuracy.
Pay special attention to the notch of the influx in the upper part, since in the process of execution it is necessary to stop the work of the tool in time. If this is not done, you can cut through the entire panel. For insurance, you can ask a partner to follow the movement of the car.

Conclusion

All six possible tools for cutting siding have been presented to your attention.

Having stated the above information, it is worth once again highlighting a few key points:

It is extremely difficult to cut with an electric saw, as it requires certain skills. In addition, it is quite difficult to find a suitable type.
The use of a jigsaw is possible only in warm weather.
Not all siding elements can be cut with a hacksaw.
Before using construction scissors, you need to develop dexterity.
A construction knife is a simple and effective tool.
Contrary to stereotypes, a grinder can be used to cut siding.

Based on this data, it will be easier for you to decide than to cut the siding. Whatever tool you choose, the main thing is to show maximum stamina and accuracy. Only in this case will you be waiting positive result your efforts.

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