How to Attach Smart Siding to Metal Studs

Hook a tape measure under the wall’s bottom plate and measure up the width of the siding at one end of the wall. Subtract 2 inches from the siding width and place a mark on the wall's outside edge. Repeat the process at the opposite end of the wall.

Hook a chalk box line to the outside edge of the wall at the mark and stretch it across to the opposite end. Pull the line taught directly over the marks and snap a line across the entire wall. Move to the center of the wall and hold a carpenter’s level on the snapped line to ensure that it's level.

Flush the bottom edge of a 1 1/2-inch starter course along the wall’s bottom plate. Place a single self-tapping screw through the starter course material, using a screw gun, where it makes direct contact with a metal stud to secure it into place. When working with SmartSide siding, you'll need to use a starter course. The starter course is a thin strip of material that is flushed and fastened to the structure's bottom edge, typically constructed of the same type of material as the siding. The strip pushes out the bottom edge of the starter course so that it matches the rest of the installed siding.

Hold the first piece of SmartSide siding against the metal studs with the top edge flush to the snapped chalk line; the bottom edge will sit over the 1 ½-inch starter course to form an angle.

Thread self-tapping metal screws 1 inch from the top edge of the SmartSide siding wherever it makes direct contact with the metal studs. Place a level on the top edge of the siding to make sure it's even.

Butt another horizontal piece of SmartSide siding next to the installed piece. Place a 1/8-inch spacer between the siding's butted ends and secure the second piece using the same method.

Measure a minimum of 1 1/4 inches down from the first course's top edge and place a mark on the siding's outside edge. Repeat the process at the opposite end of the installed course and snap a line from mark to mark. Check that the line is even using the carpenter’s level.

Install the next course of siding by lining the bottom edge up with the snapped line. Stagger the butted joints two feet apart following a set pattern so that the wall has a uniform appearance.