J Channel slip joint

As requested, this is a more detailed video on how to merge two pieces of j channel together. Here I explain why you need to create a slip joint in j-channel and show 2 different methods to achieve said j-channel slip joint.
Here is an affiliate link to the snips I use: Andy 3” siding snips amzn.to/3QD05Zv
"Correction: 1:33 For Certainteed's method I stated to cut out 3/4" of the top rolled hem, this was incorrect - the over lap is supposed to be 3/4" and cutouts on the rolled hem and nail fin are both supposed to be 1"

[@sidingschool]

*Correction: For Certainteed’s method I stated to cut out 3/4” of the top rolled hem, this was incorrect - the over lap is supposed to be 3/4” and cutouts on the rolled hem and nail fin are both supposed to be 1”.

[@adamcombs2739]

Problem with that is it makes a spot for water to poor out in certain spots. If u snip about an inch amd a half of the middle bottom section and lap them about 3/4 to 1 inch together it's easier and holds together better and I think looks as good as any way I've seen

[@sidingschool]

@@adamcombs2739 That sounds like a good method too! As far as water escaping goes, in all the literature I’ve read vinyl isn’t waterproof (and some people even drill holes in the bottom of the j channel to help the water drain out). The step flashing, tyvek, Z flashing, tape etc is supposed to do a lot of the work to keep water out. But of course, all efforts to help divert water back out to the face of the siding and away from the underlayment are always a good idea. Thanks for your comments!

[@kchilz32]

@@adamcombs2739would be cool if you did a demonstration thanks

[@pto200]

I always learn something from your tips. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@sidingschool]

No problem! More to come!

[@tyler51c1]

Hey good to see you Brandon. Tim Croft here, cool seeing you on you tube!

[@sidingschool]

Hey Tim! You found me somehow! That’s pretty neat. 😊 Hope all is well! Still doing finishing?

[@tyler51c1]

@@sidingschool living the dream! Still haven’t figured out how to get out. I thought you got out for a while

[@sidingschool]

Just doing small stuff now to grow this channel. No more big jobs on the horizon. 😊

[@dlucks174]

I just overlap bottom piece 3/4 inch and roll the top piece into the bottom piece .no snipping .looks great and properly sheds water into lower piece with no breach in the channel.i do pinch the outer lip on the upper j channel w needle nose but not necessary.

[@sidingschool]

That sounds like a decent method! There’s many different ways to do it. This is the way I was shown about 22 years ago so I’m a little partial to it. I’ve never worried too much about j-channel holding water out as water always finds a way in and housewrap and flashing pieces should be in place to keep water off from the substrate. Some people even drill holes in the bottom of their j channel to allow water to drain out…. I guess the different methods could work better in different situations. Thanks for your comment!

[@jimfields9491]

So how do you connect it to prevent water damage? I just realized that the garage door header sill it completely rotted out on my 14 year old house. It’s a double size door and the entire right side is rotted where the j channel is spliced.

[@sidingschool]

It sounds like whoever installed the siding didn’t use Z flashing or if they did, they didn’t either seal the top of it to the housewrap or put the top edge underneath the housewrap to prevent water intrusion. Vinyl siding and j-channels are not completely waterproof. There may be methods to limit and/or prevent water intrusion entirely, but that isn’t the way it is meant to be installed. The main line of defense against water intrusion is proper installation of housewrap and flashing pieces.

[@nicholasciriello9883]

Hey Brandon, what tool do you suggest for cutting j channel? I have tin snips but they leave a bad finish. What kind of shears are those? Do you know the size? Cheers!

[@sidingschool]

I use these: Andy 3” siding snips amzn.to/3QD05Zv . That is an Amazon affiliate link, where I get a small commission (they don’t mark the products up). They take a bit of practice, but that’s all I use now. Wiss does have some tin snips that have smooth edges that would probably make a nice clean cut.

[@danielryno]

I’m having difficulty finding the best way to finish off a birdbox with vinyl fascia. Do you always use metal? I was wondering if it is worth renting a brake.

[@sidingschool]

I’m not familiar with vinyl fascia. I’ve dealt with vinyl or pvc coated aluminum. I don’t think you should have to rent a brake if you’re just bending one bird box. If you buy metal from one of the big box stores they may help you bend a bird box on the spot if you already have all the measurements. Alternatively, find a local siding company and see if you can show up on site… I’ve helped many people get a few pieces of metal bent over the years (you may not even have to buy a whole roll of metal). I have a video that shows how I bend and install a bird box and fascia metal here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioLUoJaij7mNbbMsi=tUP7c6hfzVS7DiOI It’s one of my older videos so it might take a little more patience to watch.

[@danielryno]

@@sidingschool Thank you. I found a certainteed video but it really looks like a pain. After watching your video, I can see that I do not really need a brake. Thanks for the channel and the tips. They really helped me out.

[@sidingschool]

Awesome! I’m glad to help! 👍🏼

[@adamcombs2739]

It's Way easier and looks better to snip about 1 and a half inches of the bottom only and then slip them together.

[@sidingschool]

Seems like it would look pretty similar to my method, but I haven’t seen it done before. It’s kinda neat how there’s so many ways to do vinyl siding… thanks for your input!

[@EricFeldtJrProTexRemodeling]

Both ways look not so good on the wall. I always thought the siding manufacturer should have a piece that slips into both pieces of J similar to how you join two Hot Wheel Tracks together.

[@sidingschool]

That’s not a bad idea! These ways I guess you can at least face the seam away from high traffic areas if you care to.