A Homeowner’s Guide to Siding Terminology

Working with contractors can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially when you're not familiar with their technical lingo. Like many professions, contractors use building terms and phrases that may be common for them but are often foreign to the homeowners they work with.

To ensure you and your contractor start your home’s construction with a clear understanding of the build aspects and process, here’s a siding glossary featuring key terms you’re likely to hear:  

Board and Batten – Vertical strips of narrow trim that cover the seams of where two wider boards have been butted up against one another.

Caulking – A waterproof material used to seal joints at intersections of different materials. Also known as sealant.

Face – The finished side of the siding you see once it’s installed.

Fascia Board – Long straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof and supports the gutters.

Flashing – Aluminum strip used to deflect water. Used to protect the upper edge of siding and trim pieces.

Frieze – Decorative features that cover the top of the siding where it connects to the soffit. 

Gable – Triangular area of a wall that encloses the end of a pitched roof.

Lap Siding – Siding installed horizontally, also known as “clapboard.”

Shake – Shingle split from a log, typically engineered wood or cedar.

Soffit – The underside of a structure such as a porch, a balcony or overhanging eaves.

Trim – A material that provides an extra protective layer against wind and to prevent moisture from getting behind siding.

Vertical Siding – Exterior wall cladding installed in a vertical orientation, usually consisting of wide, upright boards.

Now that you know the lingo, what are you waiting for? Click here to download our resource-rich e-book. Beyond the highlights above, you’ll find a wealth of information on how to work with your contractor. 

For more information on how LP^® SmartSide^® products can help make your renovation a success, visit LPSmartSide.com, call 888-820-0325 or find a contractor near you.