This document provides an overview of vinyl siding accessories, focusing on their purpose and installation requirements, including various trim pieces and their functions. Key components such as starter strips, drip caps, and corner posts are discussed, along with instructions for maintaining level installations. The document also includes ordering information and support for vinyl accessories from Mitten.

1. Product Knowledge Course
Introductory Level
VINYL ACCESSORIES 101
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2. Before vinyl siding itself can be hung, a
number of accessories must be installed
first.
Every place where vinyl siding joins
something else—a window, a door,
another wall—requires the appropriate
trim piece. The trim pieces loosely hold
the siding in place, cover any cuts, and
provide a small space where the siding
can expand and contract. All lines of vinyl
siding come with several standard trim
pieces, plus some extras.
Objectives
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By the end of this course, you will
understand:
1. Purpose of Vinyl Siding Accessories
2. Trim and Accessories Diagram
3. Mitten System Components
4. Ordering and Support
Vinyl Accessories 101

3. 1. Corner Post 2. Fascia 3. Sill Trim 4. J-Channel
5. Starter Strip 6. Drip Cap 7. F-Channel 8. Crown Moulding
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Trim and Accessories Diagram

4. Starter Strip
Galvanized
Starter Strip
Securelock™
Starter Strip
Stakloc®
Starter Strip
Most of the time, the bottom of each piece
of siding locks into the piece below it. But
for the first row on a wall, the bottom locks
into a special trim piece called a starter
strip. The strip secures the bottom course
of siding to the sheathing and holds it at the
proper angle.
In order for the siding to be installed
properly in a level fashion, the starter strip
at the bottom of the wall must be level.
Starter Strip
A portion of this information provided by the VSI, Vinyl Siding Institute, www.vinylsiding.org
For Mitten Insulplank II insulated vinyl siding
Mitten System Components

5. Drip Cap
Drip cap, also known as head flashing, is an
accessory installed to channel water away from
siding panels and subwall.
It is often used on the tops of windows/doors
and when transitioning from horizontal to
vertical siding.
Drip cap is installed with vertical siding to ensure
that water drips away from panels and does not
infiltrate them.
A portion of this information provided by the VSI, Vinyl Siding Institute, www.vinylsiding.org
Mitten System Components

6. Finish Trim H - Trim
Finish Trim
( For use with InsulPlank II)
Channels
Channels are the area of the accessory trim or corner post where siding or soffit panels are
inserted.
Channels also refer to the trim itself, and are named for the letters of the alphabet they
resemble (e.g., J-channel or J-trim, F-channel, H-trim, etc.).
Several types are shown here including finish trim which is commonly called sill trim because it
goes under the window.
H-channel is a double channel lineal that joins the ends of vertical siding and soffit panels.
Notice the specially-sized finish trim for Mitten InsulPlank II insulated vinyl siding.
Beltline
Channel
Mitten System Components

7. J-Channel
J-channel is the most common piece of
siding trim.
Besides being used for inside corners,
it's used for trimming around windows
and doors. It is also used where siding
meets a soffit or roof at an angle.
J-channel
(For use with InsulPlank II)
A portion of this information provided by the VSI, Vinyl Siding Institute, www.vinylsiding.org
Mitten System Components

8. Outside and Inside Corner Posts
Outside
Corner Post
Fluted
Corner Post
Insulated
Inside
Corner Post
Corner Post
Insulated
Traditional
Outside
Corner Post
Insulated
Corner posts are used to provide a finished edge
at an inside or outside corner. The siding from
adjoining walls fits neatly into the inside or outside
corner post channels. Appropriate widths of
channel openings are available to accommodate
various configurations.
An outside corner post is used for outside
corners. There is a channel molded into each side
of the post to receive the end of the siding.
There are several options for trimming out inside
corners. The easiest is an inside corner post. It's
also possible to use two pieces of J-channel
installed back-to-back to create the same effect.
A portion of this information provided by the VSI, Vinyl Siding Institute, www.vinylsiding.org
Mitten System Components

9. Fascia
Fascia - J
Fascia is the trim covering the ends of roof
rafters.
Fascia Board is attached to the ends of the
rafters between the roofing material and the
soffit overhang.
Fascia Cap or Cover is the covering
around a fascia board.
Crown Moulding
Blends soffit and fascia to create an integrated look.
A portion of this information provided by the VSI, Vinyl Siding Institute, www.vinylsiding.org
Mitten System Components

10. Window and Door Trim
Various types of window and door trim are available through Mitten. They include
recessed, insulated and other casing and trim options.
3.5” W&D Trim
Insulated W&D Trim
Recessed
Window Casing Trim
Mitten System Components

11. Ordering and Support
To order, contact Mitten’s customer service department at
1-888-MITTEN4.

12. Ordering and Support
To order, contact Mitten’s customer service department
at 1-888-MITTEN4.
Quiz
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