Slopes for plastic windows with siding. Installing siding around a window is easy

The technology of cladding external walls and building facades with decorative strips is by far the most affordable finishing option, especially if the house is insulated with foam materials, for example, extruded polystyrene foam or ordinary polystyrene foam. Installing sheathing and laying plastic or steel strips of siding, as a rule, does not present any particular difficulties for beginners or those who do not have even a little experience, until it comes to designing slopes and ebbs adjacent to the window. In this case, experts recommend that, before starting to cover windows, carefully study the work technique, watch examples in the video and draw up for yourself step by step instructions finishing windows with siding with your own hands. This is not a difficult task, but it requires accuracy and knowledge of certain nuances of the work.

Decorating window trim for siding

Finishing work on arranging the transition from the outer surface of the siding to the window frame is complicated by the specifics of fastening the plastic or metal cladding.

Siding panels are always attached to load-bearing frame made of galvanized profile or wooden block. To securely fix the edges of the siding panels framing the window opening, a frame made of profile or wooden slats is placed around the window.

If you look closely at a window without finishing, it becomes clear why such attention is paid to the finishing operations of the siding of window openings:

A window without finishing does not look very aesthetically pleasing. The end cracks cannot be sealed tightly, since siding panels tend to expand under the influence of high temperatures, any finishing must be done using a typesetting method from planks;
Without finishing, slanting rains and wet snow will very quickly penetrate through the ends of the cracks and flood the space under the siding, and this will mean failure of the entire insulation system;
Finishing the window opening makes it possible to stop and drain water flowing down the vertical panels siding.

Siding manufacturing companies offer kits for finishing windows and slopes as an additional paid option. Purchasing and installing window trim from a branded profile is, perhaps, the best way out from the situation, but there is one problem. The cost of such kits often reaches sky-high heights, so contractors and craftsmen often try to save money when finishing and perform the finishing from Chinese plastic.

Advice! You can distinguish high-quality PVC panels from low-quality materials simple test. To do this, just cut a piece of plastic from the window strip and try to bend or fold the plate several times at a temperature not exceeding 20°C.

High-quality material will remain intact, a cheap fake will collapse at the second or third bend.

The window finishing scheme does not depend on what material is used to cover the walls of the building. For plastic panels For siding, plastic trim is most often used, and less often metal trim is used. For metal siding, slope finishing from a profiled thin-sheet strip is almost always used. The technologies for decorating windows with plastic and metal are different, although they have much in common.

In addition, an important factor influencing the finishing scheme is the depth of “recession” of the window plane in window opening. If the distance from window frame to the outer surface of the siding does not exceed 19 cm; finishing of the slopes and the top strip can be done using standard window profile, otherwise the planes are made from pieces of PVC panels, or a metal sheet.

Plastic window trim device

The easiest way to design a window opening is before covering the facade with siding panels, after insulation has been laid on the walls of the house, the frame for installing the siding has been secured and tensioned vapor barrier film. Around the window opening there should be a block or metal profile on which the window strips will rest. If a wooden block is used for installation, then the vapor barrier is stretched over the sheathing, inserted and glued directly along the contour of the metal-plastic window. For metal profiles, insulation can be placed under the sheathing. If the film is not used, then the layer polyurethane foam, fixing the window, must be sealed around the perimeter with butyl-styrene vapor barrier tape, as in the photo.

Modern houses are rarely built with window frames recessed inside; most often the window is installed along the plane of the external walls, but due to the layer of insulation and sheathing under the siding, slopes of about 100 mm wide are obtained. Therefore, vinyl siding is the most common window covering for new buildings.

Facing a window opening consists of the following stages:

The drip panel is installed first;
The second stage is to attach the upper slope strip;
Finish strips are installed;
On last stage side window slope panels are installed.

Lathing made of larch, oak, alder is practically not inferior in durability and strength to a frame made of metal profiles. If you fully treat the wood with an antiseptic and a water-repellent composition based on an organic solvent, the lathing material will last at least 30 years.

Installation of drip panel

To work, you will need metal scissors with long jaws, a tape measure, a carpenter's square with a level, pliers for bending plastic, a set of self-tapping screws with a spring washer and a screwdriver.

Advice! It is immediately necessary to pay attention that when arranging window decoration from plastic parts The self-tapping screws are screwed in with a slight, half-millimeter gap, this makes it possible to avoid warping and cracking of the material when heated in the sun.

First of all, to determine the size of the ebb, use a tape measure to measure the width of the window opening under the window frame, photo.

To the resulting size we add twice the width of the shelf of the future platband.

Of course, when choosing a window corner, you need to choose the right size of the casing. The width should be such that after installation the ridge of the window shelf rests on a frame made of profile or timber, packed around the window opening. On the workpiece cut to the resulting size, we set off the width of the casing and the depth of the window opening at both ends. We measure the depth from the window to the edge of the sheathing under the siding.

After applying the markings, we cut out grooves from both edges of the casting blank, as shown in the photo.

For proper finishing For windows, it is important that side ears are made at both ends of the workpiece, which bend upward and will run under the side panels of the siding.

We install the cut out ebb in the window opening and fasten it with self-tapping screws into the stand bar on which it rests. metal-plastic window. When finishing a window with siding, many elements can additionally be coated silicone sealant.

Installing the top and side slopes of siding trim

For further finishing of the window opening with siding, it is necessary to install the top and two side window trims. Installation of all three elements in the window opening is carried out using finishing or J-shaped siding strips.

We measure the distance between vertical beams battens in the upper part of the window and subtract one centimeter so that after assembly there is a gap of 4-5 mm between the ends of the upper finishing strip and the timber. This is necessary so that during the process of assembling the finishing, the vertical window strips of the siding slopes can be inserted into the window opening. We attach the bar to the upper beam.

In a similar way, we install and fasten the side vertical finishing strips with self-tapping screws. To ensure that the lower cut of the side finishing slats coincides with the ebb plane, the ends are cut from below with an oblique line by 3-4 mm.

Before installing the top of the siding panel slopes, it is necessary to correctly cut the edges of the strip. In fact, this is the most time-consuming and tricky part of finishing windows with siding. The essence of the correct cut is outlined in the example in the video:

To mark the siding panel installed as the top slope, we first measure the distance between the edges of the vertical finishing strips.

To the resulting size of the window slope we add the width of the trim trims, the resulting result is laid out with maximum accuracy on the window siding panel blank and cut off.

The point of making a cut is to make a cut at the end of the siding panel for joining with the vertical window strip and to make a bent down “ear” used to drain water from the surface of the window.

When installing the top slope from the siding panel, you need to get the “ears” into the groove-slot of the vertical finishing strips. Before fixing the finishing panel above the window, you should check and align the slope exactly to the horizon and the plane of the wall. We fasten the trim with a self-tapping screw to the sheathing bars.

To cut vertical window siding strips, you first need to measure from the top trim panel to the tip of the flashing.

On the window siding panel cut to size, we make a cut at an angle of 45° and cut it, as in the photo.

The bottom cut of the vertical siding strip must be cut at an angle equal to the low tide slope. To do this, use a corner and a ruler to measure the drop in the profile and mark an oblique line at the lower end of the bar at window trim.

After cutting, we try on the window siding panel at the place of installation in the window trim. If there are no comments, you need to make locks. To do this, draw a line with a pencil along the junction line of the finishing and window strips. Next, you need to cut the locks 2 cm wide, not reaching the 10-12 mm line, bend the edge and cut, leaving 2-3 mm of the closing part. For one window trim panel, it is enough to make 3 locks, after which the window siding strip can be installed in the groove. The installed vertical siding strips must be secured to the sheathing with self-tapping screws.

How to finish siding with a large window depth

Often there is a problem with window finishing after insulating a building. In this case, the window opening can fall to a depth of 20 cm or more. The easiest way to finish a window is shown in the video:

In this case, you can use ordinary polyvinyl chloride panels, often used for indoor wall cladding.

The sequence of finishing work is as follows:

Starting strips are installed on the surface of the slopes for fastening sections of seamless PVC panels;
Separate panel fragments are installed and fastened onto the installed guides.

As a result, the window slopes under the siding look like a monolithic surface. In this case most of old slopes are preserved in their original form. You just need to close the gap between the wall cladding with siding and old wall. The gap under the siding is first sealed with facing compound.

Initially, it is necessary to mark the position for attaching the starting strips on the window frame and on the edge of the window opening. Using a carpenter's corner, the edge projections are transferred to the window frame.

At the second stage, guide strips are attached using self-tapping screws, creating two guides parallel to the slope on which plastic decor can be mounted.

In the four corners of the window opening on the slopes at the junction of the vertical and horizontal stripes The corners are installed and the panels can be attached. The joining line of the siding cladding is covered with a plastic decorative corner.

Each panel has an end groove and a lock. When assembling the window trim, install the bottom panel first. We cut out the dimensions of the panel so that the width does not extend beyond the surface of the siding cladding. To install, bend the shelves and place the cut piece in the slot of the guide strips.

The first piece must be cut to the angle of the window sill. We fasten the plastic with a stapler to the siding sheathing and with foam to the surface of the old slopes.

After filling the entire window opening with plastic, all lines and places where the trim adheres to the window frame and external cladding siding must be treated with sealant.

Conclusion

Even easier to manufacture is finishing the window opening with metal strips. Installation of the drip tide is carried out similarly to the previous option; if a backing strip was not used when installing the window frame or double-glazed window, then the profile is attached under the window frame. It is impossible to fix the ebb directly to the frame. The top metal panel of the siding slope is made in a similar way. Both panels are manufactured with side lugs that run under vertical elements slopes. All siding trim elements are fixed with glue and sealant.

Nowadays, no one can be surprised by a house that is decorated with siding. It is convenient, cheap and aesthetically pleasing. Wall installation can be performed by any non-professional, guided by the instructions for the material, as well as video and photo master classes on the Internet. When finishing a window with siding begins, many become confused. Indeed, finishing this element of the facade is a little more difficult, not to mention the fact that window decorative elements are the most expensive additional parts in the set. Nobody wants to ruin them just like that. In our article we will try to teach how to design window openings with and without slopes using a siding profile.

The finishing market today is dominated by demand for two types of materials - vinyl and metal. Each of them has its own pros and cons for window treatments. The features of these siding coatings are manifested in different climatic zones and ways of operating in their own way.

Window decoration using a window profile looks very attractive

Vinyl

This material is made from polyvinyl chloride with the addition of additives for strength and elasticity. To date, production PVC coatings has reached a high quality level, and the cost remains quite affordable for the average buyer. Companies in the USA, Canada, Germany and other countries are working on the production of vinyl siding. In Russia, vinyl products are produced by such manufacturers as Deke, Alta-Profile, Grand Line and others. The cost of products and vinyl starts from 170 rubles. for one element. Window parts are slightly more expensive than Wall panels. Why is vinyl finishing preferred in the world?

It can be used in almost any region: from hot cities to cold remote areas. High-quality material will cope well with both heat and frost.
PVC wear resistance indicators good producers allow us to give them a guarantee of up to 30 years.
The material almost does not fade under ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In the first year, the color may change slightly, but subsequently its intensity does not suffer, regardless of the number of sunny days a year.
Vinyl siding is easy to maintain. Simply wipe the surface with a cloth or clean it with detergent: vinyl is not afraid of exposure to chemicals, the main thing is not to use coarse abrasive pastes and powders. If the house is located in an area with high humidity, mold may develop on the surface of the siding. It can be easily removed with a 5% chlorine solution. It is better not to do a large concentration, as it can damage the color of the panels.
The material is produced in an impressive design. Vinyl coverings can have dozens of types of shades and textures, including imitating natural materials- wood or natural stone.
It's easy to attach. It is elastic and easy to cut, which is very important for the design of a window opening.
And finally, this is the most inexpensive type finishing, from all facade materials offered on the market.

Vinyl siding design

Metal

Metal siding has significant advantages over vinyl, despite the higher cost of coating. Experts believe that the price is justified by the performance characteristics.

Metal stronger than PVC and has a minimum service life of 50 years. During this time it will not undergo any changes.
The heat resistance of metal finishing is valued when decorating buildings with increased fire safety requirements. Metal doesn't burn while vinyl melts.
Metal siding is coated with a layer of polymer, which gives it additional ability to resist corrosion. The polymer is painted using powder dyes and can be given any shade and texture.
The metal profile has greater flexibility than vinyl, which can break if bent too hard, and bending the edges is simply not possible. Because of this valuable quality of metal siding, it is preferred by professional finishers to decorate windows.

Decorating the opening with metal siding

Necessary materials for window siding

Siding fittings and their calculations

Despite the opinion of some experts, you can choose additional metal elements for vinyl siding for walls and vice versa. The main thing is to choose fittings from the same manufacturer whose material is selected. Different companies have different fasteners and you can get into trouble when joining profiles. Buy all the necessary finishing elements at once. If you have to buy more, the required color or texture may not be available.

Additional elements that may be needed to finish the window

Make a count required quantity It’s better to profile yourself, without trusting this important moment to anyone:

The size of the flashing is measured directly under the frame, according to the old or proposed flashing.
The width and height of the window are measured along the outer part of the slopes and plotted on a drawing reduced several times.
You need to add 10% to the sum of the dimensions of the slopes; be sure to do this, since there will be bends and undercuts during installation.
To work, you will need to purchase: J - strip, H-profile, corners for finishing parts inside and outside, ebb, window strip, finishing strip may be needed to completely frame the opening. The photo shows the installation of a window, where you can study the details and think through possible replacement expensive items.

Study this window opening installation diagram and it will be easier for you to imagine the number required material, and how to make your own drawing

Tools and fastening materials

Tools you will need:

A cutter knife can be useful for making fold marks on vinyl or acrylic.
A screwdriver or screwdriver for installing self-tapping screws.
Metal scissors for cutting the profile and adjusting it to the required size.
An electric jigsaw with a set of fine-toothed files or a hacksaw for working with metal and wood.
You will need a punch for missing holes in the siding.
Hammer if you will be using nails.
Rulers and square.
Building level.
Self-tapping screws.
Glue "Liquid nails"

The most necessary tools for installation of window siding

Technology for decorating windows with slopes with siding

Lathing

Lathing is needed to decorate the slopes of a stone or brick building. It is rarely installed, since it is quite possible to do without it. However, the sheathing is made so as not to disturb general installation ventilation façade and install insulation. To construct the frame, a wooden or metal profile is used. Wooden blocks are attached directly to the wall, and metal slats mounted using special brackets. The arrangement of the slats can be vertical, horizontal or mixed. In the photo you see an example metal sheathing for a window opening.

Most often, siding is attached directly to the wall using liquid nails or self-tapping screws if the walls of the house are made of wood.

Lathing for finishing a window opening

Installation

The first step is to set the low tide. If this is not done, rain moisture will remain on the slopes, and in winter they will become icy. The width of the ebb strip should be slightly larger than the slope itself, protruding no more than 4 cm. We mark the distance on both sides and cut it off, but not completely. Vertical folds are made along the lines outlined in advance. Where the part will be attached to the frame, “liquid nails” glue is applied, and the ebb is attached to it with self-tapping screws. The ebb is also attached through the bent sections to the verticals.
After this, a J-bar is attached to the upper horizontal and side parts of the frame. Siding sections are inserted into the profile and trimmed from the sides. The upper part is cut to the dimensions of the slope, and the lower part to the side of the frame.
After all the actions, close the corners decorative element“outer or outer corner” in order to hide the connection between the slope and the wall panel.

Successive stages of finishing a window with siding slopes

Window trim without slopes

Finishing a window opening without slopes can be done with an overlap or at an angle.

overlap

Prepare four J-straps that will be used instead of the trim.
Make a cut on the top rail and bend it to the width of the profile. This is done to allow moisture to flow down it into the side profile.
Insert the side profile into the top profile so that the folded part of the part fits there. Don't forget to leave a temperature gap of 3-5 mm.
Insert the side piece into the bottom profile in the same way.
Next, a window strip is attached to give the look a complete look.

Installing J-Trim Window Siding Trim

To the corner

If you design a window opening in this way, then do everything exactly the same as in the first case, but on the upper profile you cut off the ends at angles of 45 degrees, as shown in the figure, taking into account the size of the temperature gap.

Installing the J-profile using the “corner” method

Platband

Finishing with the help of a platband must begin with measuring the parts. Mark a segment on the casing itself that is equal to its width, and then measure a segment equal to the bottom length of the window.
Now cut a 45 degree angle outside panels, leaving the inside untouched.
The side panels are cut in the same way, and top part remains untouched.
Now glue and screw the bottom bar.
The side strips are glued and inserted with undamaged edges inside the bottom strip.
The top panel is inserted into the side parts and screwed with self-tapping screws.

Platband installation

Video: how to cover a window with siding yourself

Finishing windows with siding does not require any special knowledge from you. You just need to follow the sequence and rules of installation according to the type you have chosen, based on our description. Properly designed window openings with the help of siding panels look neat and do not cause trouble to their owners during any weather changes. If you can reproduce the installation yourself, it will save you money, because Finishing work always a significant expense item.

Siding, as many novice builders believe, is simple and easy to work with. There is nothing easier than inserting a tenon and groove and simply tightening the screws. However, those who have encountered siding installation know that not everything is so simple. It may be understandable to install panels on the wall, but when an obstacle arises - a window, a door, ventilation holes etc. protruding or recessed elements - the work is very slow. In fact, you don’t need any special knowledge; it’s enough to learn the procedure for framing windows with siding and have a full set of tools for this.

J-profile (rail) is an indispensable element when working with siding, because it is universal. Used to hide visible cut edges, and when framing windows, doors, and other protruding structures with siding. Perfectly hides the cut edges of horizontally mounted siding panels where they meet the vertical line of a window or door.
The trim strip is rarely used, and not all manufacturers have it. Frames the window if it is flush with the wall and does not require additional elements.
The window strip is designed specifically for windows and replaces the J-profile. If the window has slopes, then this particular element will be needed, because the J-profile frames only the window that is level with the wall.
Chamfer - replaces the window strip, but it can only be used with a finishing strip to complete the composition.
The drain plate, the name speaks for itself, drains water. Application is situational.

A fine-toothed hacksaw for metal or a saw with small teeth. If the siding is vinyl, then the large teeth of a hacksaw will simply tear it outer layer, due to which the panels will lose their attractiveness. The same goes for plastic; it will have torn and protruding edges.
Metal scissors. Convenient for trimming panels under and above the window when you need to make a small cutout.
Screwdriver and screws.
Construction level or level.
Cutter knife. Used to mark the line along which the panel needs to be broken.
Square, cord and chalk.

Calculation and preparation for installation of siding around the window

To install the window siding strip, you need to measure the sides of the window and add 6 cm on each side. This is a reserve for trimming corners. Moreover, for each side of the window you need a whole strip, because the trim will be visible on a straight line. If there is a low tide, but there is no need for a near-window strip below, but if there is no low tide, then you can install a strip.

To begin with, a frame is attached around the window. Accurate window measurements are taken on site. The elements are cut according to measurements and with an overlap of 6 mm on each side.

European standards state that windows must be recessed into the wall, but not more than 30 cm. However, in Russian practice this rule is rarely applied. Therefore, the window strip itself, which is common in Europe, is not always needed on Russian construction sites. But if the windows are recessed, a J-profile cannot be used; you will have to install a window strip. And it looks more aesthetically pleasing than a set of elements led by a J-profile. Depending on the recessedness of the window, a different set of elements can be used.

Recessed up to 20 cm. A finishing strip around the perimeter is installed near the window. The exact distance of the window recess is measured. If necessary, the window strip is cut lengthwise. The wide side is inserted into the finishing strip and attached to the sheathing on the wall. It is worth remembering the temperature gaps of 2-3 mm.

A recessed window strip of more than 20 cm will not be enough to hide such a distance, so you will have to use cutting siding panels, a J-profile and an external corner. Installation is carried out as per outer corner with the only difference, in the corner profile with inside The window includes siding, the corner profile is connected to the J-profile. On the inside, the siding is hidden by a finishing strip.

If a J-rail is chosen to frame the window with siding, it is nailed around the perimeter. First, the side strips are installed. Then an incision is made on the top bar in the lower horizontal part so that an “eye” is formed. It needs to be bent down. This part should fit into the side rails from top to bottom. A cutout is made in the side slats to the size of the “ear”. The corner of the top rail is cut off. Right: from top to bottom, from right to left at an angle of 45 degrees. Left from top to bottom, from left to right, 45 o. The front part is also cut off on the side rails top corner in the same way ka and on the upper bar. As a result, a smooth, beautiful connection is obtained at the junction. The back of the planks can be done in the same way, but since it will not be visible after installing the siding panels, you can simply leave a right angle. A wide casing is also installed using the same technology, but larger allowances need to be made, depending on the width of the profile.

The instructions for installing siding elements are the same as for the siding itself. The self-tapping screws must not be screwed in completely, leaving a temperature gap; if they are fastened with nails, they must be left 0.5 mm under the head.

An arched window requires a flexible J-profile. But not all manufacturers have it, and it’s also expensive, so they often use a regular J-profile. On its inner part, where the fastening elements are located, cuts are made that will allow the profile to bend. The profile is fixed along the arch as standard.

Such construction material, as siding, entered the market, in fact, not so long ago, but has already managed to gain wide popularity. IN Lately it is increasingly used not only for exterior finishing industrial and office premises, but also for the design of residential buildings and, in particular, for exterior finishing window openings.

What are the advantages of this material over others? Is this material really so good that it can be used to decorate the exterior of residential buildings, and how feasible is it to decorate window openings with your own hands?

Benefits of siding

It is an almost universal, non-toxic and non-flammable material. It is lightweight, does not corrode, does not lose its shape and does not crack in the cold. Does not lose color over time and does not require painting. The modern construction market offers a wide range of siding color range. Finish with siding if desired window openings- this is an additional plus, since it is possible to create a pleasant contrast to the eye between the overall color of the walls and the color of the window slopes.

Modern industry produces several types of siding, each of which has its own application.
The lightest, most inexpensive and most popular is plastic siding. It is most widely used in low-rise construction, especially in the construction of private houses. The easiest way today to “update” and insulate old buildings is also with the help of siding. Firstly, it’s easy to hide sheets of insulation under the siding, and secondly, an old house will really look new and well-groomed.

In addition, plastic siding is a very flexible material and can be used to design not only straight, but also rounded walls and even arched window openings.
Plastic is a completely unattractive material for insects and rodents. It does not conduct electricity and does not support combustion. Special care behind siding is also not required. Dust and dirt hardly accumulate on its surface, and it is enough to periodically simply wash the walls with a watering hose.

Metal siding

This type of siding is made from rolled steel. Its main area of application is industrial facilities. While maintaining all the advantages of PVC siding, metal is much more durable and resistant to mechanical damage. Non-flammable and therefore ideal for arranging gas stations and car washes.

Wood siding

The basis of this material is wood fibers with the addition of special resins. It is beautiful, but is currently significantly inferior in popularity to PVC. The whole point is that wood siding The material is quite expensive and its service life is short. At the very least, it is not suitable for cladding the outside of rooms or decorating window openings from the street side.

Aluminum siding

This material has a wide range of applications. It is lighter than metal and less susceptible to corrosion.

Cement siding

Produced using cellulose fibers and cement. This material is good for updating the facades of old buildings and leveling walls; It is not flammable and is not susceptible to mold or mildew. However, it is difficult to process, heavy and expensive. It is impractical and inconvenient to use it for finishing window slopes.

The name of this material speaks for itself. Best Application for him - the cladding of the basement of buildings, which is most susceptible to atmospheric influences.

The easiest and most profitable way to finish window slopes is with vinyl siding, which is the easiest to process and maintain and has a wide range of color palette and relatively inexpensive. If desired, you can also use for this purpose metal siding, but steel panels are heavier, more expensive and more difficult to process.

Material calculation

When the final choice of material is made, it is necessary to make calculations of how much siding will actually be needed to finish all the windows, and at the same time doorways. After all, in order for the house to have a complete look, the finishing of the slopes of windows and doors must be done in the same style.

To calculate, you need to carefully measure the perimeter of all window openings. Only the distance under the windows should not be taken into account. In these places, not siding strips will be installed, but window sills and ebbs. Using the same principle they measure front door. Experts advise adding about 10% more to the figure obtained in this way as a margin for trimming.

In addition to the siding itself, the quality of finishing of window openings largely depends on the quality of the fasteners. From how much quality materials will be used in the work, not only the beauty of the cladding depends, but also its strength. Therefore, experts recommend purchasing in advance original fasteners designed specifically for the selected type. finishing material. Otherwise, you cannot count on the durability of the finish.

Regardless of whether you invited professionals to carry out the work or decided that the finishing is quite doable with your own hands, for high-quality cladding of window openings with siding you will need special fittings and fasteners:

H-profile or connecting strips (hide the seams between panels, and are also used when increasing length or transitioning from one color to another);
J-profile or wind strip (designed for finishing roof eaves, but in fact, an almost universal element that in capable hands can easily replace window sill strips and some other elements);
starting and finishing bars;
external and internal corners for decorating panel joints;
window sill strips;
chamfers;
low tides

If you will be finishing the windows yourself, you should make sure you have a metal square in order to be able to mark the angles of installation of the material on the slopes.
In addition you will need:

medium sized hammer;
two hacksaws with small teeth (one for metal, the other for plastic);
tape measure and twine or thick twine for marking;
construction pencil or piece of chalk;

screwdriver;
building level.

The color of the fastening hardware must be in harmony with the color cladding panels. In other cases, if provided for by the design of the building, you can choose fasteners of a contrasting color or shade.

Professionals recommend using a standard metal profile to attach siding around window openings. Nevertheless, in order to save money, it is possible to use wooden beams for these purposes. You just need to remember that wood is very susceptible to moisture, and if you take a wooden beam for fastening, it must be perfectly dried and treated with a special water-repellent impregnation.

Most often, windows are located relative to the walls in the following ways:
- windows go deep into the walls at a distance of 5 to 19 cm;
— the window opening is located flush with the wall, without slopes;
- windows go deeper than 19 cm.

In addition, arched or pointed windows deserve special attention.

For each type of arrangement of windows in the wall, the process of covering slopes with siding will have its own nuances.

Before starting work, you must carefully check the condition of the slopes. Of course, if you have to finish window openings in a new building, you can skip this procedure.

But when it comes to an old house, it is imperative to pay attention to whether there are cracks in the slopes. They can weaken adhesion to the sheathing. Existing cracks must be filled with putty, and after the putty has dried, the surface thus repaired must be carefully primed several times with a deep-penetrating primer.

If the windows are made in accordance with European building standards, then they go deeper into the walls no more than 19 cm. In this case, window sill strips will also be needed standard sizes, up to 22 cm. Finishing window openings with siding, even with your own hands, will not be very difficult.
To attach the window sill to the frame, a finishing profile is used, into which the window sill is then inserted.

However, since in the CIS building codes are different from European ones, the window openings of buildings are often much deeper than 19 cm. Especially when it comes to old buildings, the facades of which are supposed to be updated with siding.
In this case, corners are installed around the perimeter of the window opening. A J-profile is attached near the frame, and external corners are attached around the perimeter of the window opening.

Then the siding panels are prepared by cutting them to required size, and decorate the window slopes with them, inserting them into the grooves of fixed fittings around the opening.
In fact, this option for arranging windows is the most difficult for finishing the slopes yourself. But even in this case, it is quite possible to finish the siding yourself and save on inviting specialists. It is more difficult to finish only the openings of arched and lancet windows.

The simplest option for placing windows to decorate them with siding is at the same level as the outer surface of the wall. In this case, experts recommend purchasing a platband 62 mm wide. This will allow you to focus on the window openings in overall design facade.
First, the platband itself is installed, and the finishing panels are inserted into it.
You can also choose an inconspicuous option for finishing window openings. Then, instead of a platband, a universal J-profile is chosen for fastening around the windows.
This option for arranging windows is the simplest in terms of the ability to do the work yourself.

The most difficult option for performing work on the design of external slopes is when the windows have the shape of an arch.

To finish such windows, siding manufacturers produce a special flexible J-profile, but a regular one can be successfully used instead. Only along the perimeter of the arc it will have to be cut, aligning it along the rounded part of the opening.

In this case, it is important to take into account the advice of professionals, who recommend making cuts on the profile every 20 cm to avoid cracking of the fittings.

On the construction-related sites that the World Wide Web is rich in, you can find many practical advice by the way it's done decorative finishing window openings using siding. Many of these sites even contain detailed photo and video instructions for doing the work yourself and for different options window locations. However, there are general rules, a kind of instruction, following which you can always get excellent result and beautifully decorated windows with siding.

You should not skimp on fasteners such as dowels and screws. They must be galvanized. Otherwise, rust will begin to appear on them over time.
Self-tapping screws should not be screwed into the material until they stop. Be sure to leave a gap of 1 mm for the expansion of the material.

Screws must be screwed in straight, not at an angle.
The screws should easily screw into the center of the mounting holes in the panel. Otherwise, the siding panel or fittings may crack, which will subsequently lead to their deformation.
In the process of connecting the fittings, the corners are cut by 45 degrees.
If parts of the joined planks are adjacent to the slope, then for one plank the part adjacent to the slope is cut at an angle, and for the second plank this part is folded. This makes it possible to achieve a tighter connection of the fittings and avoid cracks and gaps.

The facade of a house or garage covered with siding looks attractive. Being practical and modern solution, this type of cladding not only improves the external walls of the building, but also protects them from external adverse factors environment. Simple finishing technology allows you to carry out the work yourself, without resorting to services construction crews. However, some home craftsmen are concerned about how to install siding around the window, entrance openings home or garage. Seeming difficulties can be completely avoided by familiarizing yourself with some of the nuances and features of the process.

Accessories required for finishing openings

Typically, covering smooth blank walls of a house or garage with siding does not cause any particular difficulties, even for those who are faced with similar work. But the presence of openings makes it difficult to use complete panels, so they have to be cut in accordance with the required dimensions.

Siding manufacturers developed a large number of various mounting and finishing strips, providing the facade with a neat and aesthetic appearance. All of them are grouped depending on their functional purpose.

Fig.1 Types mounting strips and profiles for finishing openings

To better understand the sequence and the installation process itself, let’s consider the use of some profiles for a home or garage:

initial strip - provided for fixing the outermost row of panels;
finishing - used as a clamp of the outer row and to secure the edges of the window profile;
J-trim is the most versatile trim used to hide the cut edge of siding panels around openings where windows or doors are flush with the trim;
window strip - required if the windows are recessed into the opening by up to 10-12 cm;
platband - used for window and entrance openings in cases where the window or door is flush with the siding;
external as well as internal corner;
connecting element - intended for vertical mating of cut strips;
hanging strip - necessary to remove moisture above the openings.

The use of this or that type of element is determined by the type of windows and the depth of the framed openings. The following options may be considered when:

The windows are flush with the installed siding. In this case for finishing the most suitable width trims or “J-trim” profile strips can be used;
the opening is recessed into the wall to a small depth, which allows the use of window profiles in combination with a finishing one, adjacent directly to the window and, in addition, clamping the edge of the window strip;
the window or entrance opening has a depth of more than 20-25 cm. In such cases, you will additionally need profiles of external corners, a “J-trim” strip, and to form slopes, soffit or siding trim.

Arched openings require the use of special flexible J-shaped profiles (flexible J-trim). However, due to their high cost, owners most often resort to using a conventional profile of a similar configuration, cut from the bottom for better flexibility. Finishing such openings requires some experience, so it would be better to entrust such work to specialists.

Performing piping of openings

Carefully install siding around a window, door or garage door and attractive appearance opening is largely determined not only correct selection finishing strips and profiles, but also the technology of joining their adjacent (vertical and horizontal) trim elements.

Please note that the finishing of openings, regardless of their shape and location, is always carried out before installation and fastening of wall panels!

In all cases, it is necessary to begin tying windows with finishing elements from the installation of the sheathing. A wooden beam or a special metal profile is installed around the perimeter of the opening, to which finishing strips are subsequently attached. But it must be taken into account that the wood must be dry and impregnated with moisture-repellent compounds. Directly on the slopes, near the window frame, small wooden blocks to secure the finishing profile. Next, window strips are inserted into its groove, the outer parts of which are attached to the sheathing of the opening along the entire perimeter of the window.

Fig.2 Installation of opening trim

It is easier to join adjacent finishing strips at right angles. To do this, small cuts are made on the vertical parts directly adjacent to the slope, and cuts are made on the combined horizontal elements, followed by bending the material inward. This ensures the tightness of the joints. However, with the appropriate skill of the work performer, cutting down the associated elements can be performed at an angle of 45 degrees, which makes appearance framing the opening more presentable.

Siding walls with openings

If there are any obstacles on the walls, covering them with siding begins not from the corner of the building, but from laying the first row in the places below them. The connection of ordinary panels with profile strips of the frame of the opening is almost always made using the same technology.

When the trim approaches the lower edge of the window opening, a horizontal cut is made in the siding panel closest to it to the width of the opening. In this case, you should leave an allowance for expansion joint. cut out seat should fit easily into the receiving profile. In the prepared part of the panel, holes are punched for fastening with self-tapping screws. The ebb is installed as the bottom trim of the opening.

Fig.3 Installation of siding panels around the opening using self-tapping screws

1 - window trim with a window profile;

2 - ordinary cladding panel;

3 - installed ebb.

Sometimes, when window openings are close together, or in rather narrow places, it is not always possible to install panels in receiving profiles. In this case, two options are possible:

if the space for installation is sufficiently wide, the siding is bent and inserted into the guide profile;
if there is not enough space, one of the vertical profiles is partially dismantled and then inserted required element sheathing.

Fig.4 Installation of panels in narrow spaces

1- bending the siding;

2- partial dismantling of the vertical receiving strip.

It is always worth remembering about temperature gaps. They must be provided even if rather short pieces of siding are used.

Framing windows with siding is done according to a similar pattern on all walls of the building. Finishing is possible in the same way doorways facade of a house or garage.

Features of the work

Before finishing the walls of a house or garage, you should dismantle all protruding elements - platbands or stucco. It will also be necessary to ensure that the facing surfaces are completely dry. In addition, you will need to treat the slopes with a special primer with water-repellent properties.

During the work process, it is worth taking into account environmental temperature factors. Warm weather provides cutting opportunities vinyl siding ordinary metal scissors. In this case, the risk of panel breakage is eliminated. But to obtain smooth borders of the cut edge, you should not completely close the cutting edges of the scissors.

When using a hacksaw for trimming, its blade should have fine teeth. This will save the cut panels from a sloppy, torn edge.

It is recommended to insert a disk into a circular saw for cutting plywood. Its installation provides a gentle cutting mode for siding. In this case, it is possible to cut several panels stacked on top of each other at the same time, but care must be taken to ensure that cutting disc passed through the material.

When installing siding between windows, you need to pay attention to ensure that there is no sagging of the strips at the other end of the panels, otherwise even a slight distortion can “contribute” to the curvature of the entire exterior finish. The horizontality of the installed siding is controlled by the longest building level possible.