How to Cut Siding Near the Roof Line

Rotary hand tools are designed to make cuts that most types of saws, including circular and reciprocating saws, cannot. The cutting tables on most saws, located on the bottom, will prevent you from making flush cuts near perpendicular objects, such as a wall or roof eave. Rotary tools don't have cutting tables, so you can easily place them flush against a perpendicular object. You can use a rotary tool to cut through most siding materials, including vinyl, wood and aluminum.

Chalk box
Rotary hand tool with appropriate cutting blade
Safety glasses

Instructions

- 1
  Make marks on the siding at opposite ends of the cut with a pencil. Snap a straight line between the marks with a chalk box.
- 2
  Attach the appropriate cutting blade to a rotary hand tool. Ensure that the rotary tool is in good shape and has no frayed electrical cords or inoperable safety features.
- 3
  Hold the rotary tool's blade near the starting point of the snapped line and work in a direction that is comfortable for you. Squeeze the tool's power button and slowly plunge the blade into the snapped line.
- 4
  Cut the siding in a forward direction and use the snapped chalk line as a reference. Prevent the blade from plunging deeper than the siding material or you risk cutting the wall sheathing.

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