Aluminum siding can be an inexpensive way to improve the exterior appearance of any home. Aluminum siding is versatile and easy to use. But, if youve never worked with aluminum siding, it can seem very intimidating at first.
You’ve found the right place if you want to learn how to cut aluminum siding.
What Youll Need
To cut aluminum siding, you will only need a few tools. Chances are these are tools you already have in your arsenal. These are the tools you’ll need.
- Chop saw, mitersaw, or radial armsaw equipped with a panel knife
- Tin Snips
- Tape Measurer
- Shop pencil
- Safety goggles
Step I: Preparing To Apply For The Job
Preparation is the first step in this process. Youll be able to save time and energy by outfitting your workspace with everything youre going to need before getting started.
Get your siding materials ready and get your saw set up. Make sure you have safety goggles and gloves on hand so that you can safely cut the siding.
Step II: Measuring
The key to a beautiful finished product is all in your measurements. Taking careful measurements will ensure that the siding looks uniform and professional when its installed. A poorly completed job can lead to additional costs as the siding wears.
Take all measurements using a tape measure. Mark them with a shop pencil.
Step III: Making Long Cuts
Youll be using your saw to complete the majority of the cuts for the entire job. The saw will handle any long horizontal cuts you make through entire siding pieces.
As for the saw itself, theres plenty of options for this job. A chop saw, miter saw or radial arm saw are all preferred options.
After you have measured and marked the cut, take the siding to your workspace. If you are lucky enough to have a garage for this project you can be more productive.
But, Ive seen guys do beautiful siding work from the front lawn of the house, using the grass as their workbench. You can certainly work with what you have in this situation.
Make your cut slowly and deliberately and always make sure youre wearing safety goggles when making cuts.
Many people swear by using their saw blade backward in the saw. This should result in a smoother and cleaner cut that doesn’t leave any tears or rips in the material. However, this isnt a recommended practice.
Running your blade backward discounts a lot of the engineering work that goes into making a safe, effective blade. While it may seem to work for some people, its more dangerous, and you run the risk of damaging the blade or having teeth fly off while youre mid-cut.
Step IV: Making Precision Cuts
Aluminum siding projects will occasionally require you to make a cut that is not as straight and vertical as the one you can make with a saw.
Tin snips can be very useful for these types of cuts. Hopefully, you have a set of tin snips that will allow you to make cuts in any direction. There are three types of tin snips altogether.
A yellow handle is best for cutting straight lines. They also excel at cutting wide, sweeping curves. A green handle is best for cutting straight, or to the right. A red handle is best for cutting straight, or to your left.
It is a good idea to have all three. If you dont, the yellow handled tin snips should be able to tackle the job.
If youre unable to achieve the type of precision you need with the tin snips you have, it may be best to go pick up a new set. How well your snips cut in any direction will have a major effect on the quality of your finished project.
Tin snips are also very useful if you need to trim up a section you cut with your saw. Instead of spending half the time trimming a little siding with your saw, the tinsnips can be used to cut it faster.
Use the tin-snips carefully. Make sure to trace exactly where you need to cut with a pencil. Then, cut slowly and in a deliberate manner, following your line as closely possible.
Wrap It Up
When it comes to how to cut aluminum siding, the answer is probably easier than you think. Although it may seem daunting at first, cutting aluminum siding can be done very easily. You will soon be a pro at this task with a bit of practice.
