How to Cut Siding With a 3/12 Pitch

Installing siding on the gable ends of a house requires accurate measurements to ensure the end cuts of the siding match the pitch of the gable. This ensures that no water leaks past the connecting point between the materials. Determining the pitch correctly does not require complicated mathematical equations or complex geometry. A simple trick allows you to transfer the angle from the low edge of the gable to the finished face of the siding.

Extension ladder
Level
Pencil
2 scrap pieces of siding
Circular saw
Siding shears

Instructions

- 1
  Place an extension ladder against the gable side of the house. Keep the ladder with two feet on the soffit.
- 2
  Hold one end of a level where the gable end wall meets the soffit. Adjust it to read level. Mark a line on the gable wall by pulling a pencil along either the level's top or bottom edge.
- 3
  Place a piece of siding against the gable wall with its top edge aligned with the level pencil mark. Slide the siding until its top corner sits against the bottom of the soffit. Place the bottom edge of a second piece of siding against the soffit. Draw a line across the siding -- sitting on the gable wall -- by pulling the pencil along the top edge of the siding, running across its face.
- 4
  Cut along the line drawn on wood and composite siding with a circular saw or use a siding shear to cut along a line drawn on vinyl and aluminum siding. Ensure the cut is straight to keep the 3/12 pattern true.
- 5
  Set the pattern on top of a full length of siding. Pull a pencil along the mitered end of the pattern. Remove the pattern. Cut along the line with the correct tool.

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