Steel siding is a stunning, long-lasting metal siding that has excellent curb appeal. However, for their clients to fully enjoy the advantages of the product, contractors and installers must properly cut sheet metal siding.
Circular saws, twin cutters, electrical scissors, tin snips, and other tools are among the options for cutting steel lap siding.
You can find our best advice on how to install steel lap siding below, which will help you keep your customers happy and raving about your work.
Benefits of Steel Lap Siding
The use of steel lap siding has many advantages. Here are the four most important.
1. Unmatched Durability for Peace of Mind
Steel lap siding is very resistant to dents, fire, and pests. It also offers protection against scuffs and moisture penetration because of the finish and the way the steel was handled. Steel siding means that your client won’t ever have to be concerned about corrosion, discoloration, or rusting (which means no annoying callbacks for professionals).
Compared to vinyl, wood, and other products made with glue and cement, steel panels don’t shrink and expand as much because they are so stable. Steel siding has a lifespan of up to 50 years or more.
Read More: How to Fix Squeaky Floors
2. Wide Variety of Colors Available to Fit Any Style
There are now a variety of colors and textures available for steel siding, unlike in the past. A wide variety of colors accommodates the preferences of commercial clients, new construction, and residential remodelers alike.
Steel lap siding can mimic the appearance of real wood grain, providing customers with a finish that looks like real wood grain without the drawbacks of real wood, i.e. no warping, fading, rotting, pests, or splintering.
If your client prefers the look of traditional lap siding or board-and-batten siding, it can even be installed in various patterns and configurations to achieve that look.
3. Environmentally Friendly for Green Consumers
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel lap siding is the material that is recycled the most in the US. It is the ideal environmentally friendly siding option when you combine its recyclability, durability, and ease of upkeep.
Steel can be recycled numerous times without ever losing its quality or strength.
4. Easy Maintenance to Free Up Your Weekends
When it comes to maintenance, not all materials are created equal. Steel siding is one of the least demanding exterior building materials available today. Your clients will only need to give the siding a gentle wash a few times a year to prevent corrosion and keep it looking brand-new if they choose a premium material with a protective coating.
Can You Cut Metal Siding With a Circular Saw?
Do you know the expression “work smart, not hard”? Regarding construction and building things, that statement is true. When building or cutting material, having the right tool can make all the difference. The desire for the best tool is clearly demonstrated when cutting metal siding.
A circular saw is undoubtedly a viable option for cutting metal siding. Use a steel-tooth blade or a carbide-tooth blade to cut while wearing safety equipment like gloves and eye protection. Even though it costs more, the carbide tooth will cut through it more quickly and effectively.
When cutting steel lap siding, it’s a good idea to use protective gear like gloves, eyeglasses, and clothing to cover any exposed skin because metal chips will undoubtedly fly everywhere. You should also wait until the metal has cooled before handling it because it will heat up as you cut it. Additionally, it is a good idea to clamp it down to prevent it from moving and to make sure that nobody is nearby while you are cutting.
Can You Cut Metal Siding With a Grinder?
If you’ve never cut metal before, it can be challenging, so protect any exposed skin with clothing and eyeglasses. Selecting the appropriate tool is crucial and can help you save time. You can also use a small hand grinder if you don’t have access to all the tools that are available.
Hold your grinder at a 45-degree angle when cutting metal siding, if at all possible. You can stay on a straight path and make easier cuts as a result.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cut Your Metal Siding
A project to build a house or other structure must include siding. The material you choose, how it is made, and how it is installed must all be taken seriously.
It is undeniable that metal siding is frequently used because it is strong and reliable for a long time. Installation is also a breeze.
To ensure a hassle-free installation process, keep in mind that accurate metal siding cutting is necessary. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to cut your metal siding:
1. Wear Personal Protective Gear
When cutting steel lap siding, take all necessary safety measures. Wearing safety goggles and gloves is essential for protection. To prevent sparks and flying metal dust from hurting your arms, put on a long-sleeved shirt.
2. Mark the Metal Siding
Utilize your tape measure to measure the various sizes you will need to cut. To help you cut where you need to, mark your metal siding.
3. Secure Your Metal Siding
So that it won’t move when you cut the metal siding, secure it in your work area. For your metal siding, you can use movable clamps on either side.
4. Cut the Metal Siding
For metal siding, smooth cuts are necessary because sharp edges can be harmful. Because they produce uneven seams and gaps where the siding panels overlap, sharp edges can make metal siding installation difficult. Minor mistakes could compromise the sheet’s integrity and shorten the siding’s lifespan.
5. Remove Excess Metal Dust
If there is any metal dust on your metal siding after you’ve finished cutting, use a cloth to clean it up. Usually, the use of power tools for cutting causes metal dust to exist.
The metal siding is kept presentable for installation by cleaning it after cutting. Metal siding can also easily corrode if not cleaned properly. You should also wait until the metal has cooled before handling it because cutting it will cause it to heat up.
How to Install Metal Siding?
Unquestionably aesthetically pleasing and easy to install is metal siding. Below is the quick process on how to install your metal siding:
1. Prepare Materials
Amass all the supplies required to make your installation simpler and quicker before you begin cutting and installing.
2. Measure the Metal Siding
Put your metal sidings on a work table so you can measure them easily. Use a tape measure to make sure you have the right lengths of metal to fit your exterior walls. To ensure that the metal siding is the right size, mark the area that needs to be removed.
3. Cut the Metal Siding
To cut your metal siding, you can make use of power tools like a jigsaw, circular saw, and nibbler. Use a snip if you’d like to use a hand tool instead. The best tool to use to make holes is a snip.
4. Wrap the House
By wrapping your home’s exterior, you can reduce the amount of wind that enters your home. Use a staple gun to affix the wrapper to the studs.
5. Attach the Metal Siding
You can now attach your metal siding to your home’s exterior after wrapping it around the entire structure. Using an electric screwdriver, secure the metal siding.
How Long Does Metal Siding Last?
Metal siding is resilient, long-lasting, flexible, and durable. After being installed on your home or building, it has a 50-year lifespan.
To prevent your tools from losing their effectiveness, make sure to regularly maintain them. You can reduce risks by inspecting them before use. If you’re not sure what to do with the tools or how to cut your metal siding, don’t be afraid to consult a professional.
Conclusion
Cutting down steel lap siding is necessary to create a roof’s unique design, and it can affect the roof’s effectiveness and safety. But it’s crucial to take your level of experience into account when chopping down metal roofing panels. In fact, this job necessitates using cutting and sawing equipment, among other hazardous tasks.
FAQs
What Do You Cut Steel Siding With?
When using a power saw with a titanium carbide-tip blade, steel can be the material. Use a plywood blade with fine teeth for the best results. For smooth, precise cuts, many seasoned installers of steel lap siding advise installing the blade in the opposite direction.
What is the Easiest Way to Cut Metal Siding?
Although using a circular saw to cut steel siding might seem like a good idea, another tool is actually more effective. For cutting metal siding, a slide miter saw equipped with a ferrous metal-cutting blade is a much better power tool.
What Tool is Best for Cutting Tin Siding?
Metal shears are a better option if you want to use a tool that cuts faster and with less effort than tin snips. They can cut thicker metal panels more easily than tin snips because they are power tools, and they also produce better cuts.