Add Value to Your Home with an Easy Do-it-Yourself Vinyl Soffit Installation

Installing vinyl soffits is a great way to add beauty and protection to your home. Not only are they cost effective, they also eliminate the need to repaint or scrape them regularly. The process of installing them is also not too challenging, once you have all the materials ready. The materials you will require for the installation are vinyl soffit, 3” round soffit vents, 1” aluminum trim nails, ladder, aviation snips, J-Channel, fascia wrap, combination square, #8 x 1-1/2″ sheet metal screws, claw hammer, 3” hole miter saw, measuring tape, wood chisel, and 3/8” drill.

Begin by determining the length of the area to be covered by the vinyl soffits. They typically come in lengths of 12 linear feet. Make sure to take note of the space between the locking channels of the soffit which is 12 inches in breadth. So to cover a square of 12 feet wide and 12 feet deep, you’ll need to use 24 square feet of the soffits. Using the aviation snips, cut the panels to a length which is ½ inch less than the full depth. This is to make allowance for expansion.

The next step involves removing the old wood trim. Use a wood chisel and claw hammer to dislodge the trim from the base. You can then take out the nails that secure the trim with the claws of the hammer. Instead of the trim, you’ll need to install the J channel. It will hold the vinyl soffits in place along the sides and edges. Make sure the J channels are at 90-degree corners. Cut a notch for them and slice the channels down into the soffit mounting surface. This can be done using a miter saw. Make a tab at one end of the channel and insert the next length of the channel. This will be beneficial as it allows the soffits some room for movement.

Attach the channel to the frame with screws, preferably hex-headed metal sheet type. The soffits will typically have pre-drilled holes in them. If not, use an electric drill to make holes that are 1 inch deep. Make sure to not use nails to secure them in place.

After the soffit panels are in place, attach a fascia wrap around them. The length of the fascia wrap should be 12 feet. This is used to protect and secure the outer sides of the vinyl soffit panels. Remember to tuck the wrap behind the drip edge, so that rainwater does not get trapped.

Secure the upper portion of the fascia with 1-inch trim nails. Make sure to also nail the lower edge if there is no rain gutter installed above the wrap. After nailing, slide the soffit panels in pairs into the J channel. Make sure that they’re placed under one another, so that they fit into the channel snugly. Remember that due to cutting the panels ½ inch shorter than the original depth, the soffits should float.

After going through all these steps, you should have a vinyl soffit setup that is both aesthetically pleasing and capable of protecting your home from the external elements. With proper installation and care, your vinyl soffits should remain functional and beautiful for many years to come.