Keep water out of your home and running down the roof where it belongs with appropriate use of step flashing. Step flashing is used where a roof meets a wall, to cover the junction of those elements, preventing leaks. Flashing is a strip of metal, usually aluminum, about 8 inches long, and bent at 90 degrees with each side at least 5 inches wide. On a wall to be covered with wood, cement board, vinyl or metal siding, the step flashing, and associated roofing, must be installed first, so the siding can cover the top of the step flashing on the wall.

Traditionally, j-channel was a siding trim molding fastened around windows and doors which then received the siding. Some modern vinyl windows, however, incorporate a j-channel right into the.

1

Slice along the bend line about 4 inches into the first piece of flashing at the bottom of the roof with tin snips.. Fold the roof side of the flashing down over the facing board along the roof line. Bend the vertical edge at about a 45-degree angle to make a tab to 'kick out' water, away from the wall and over the bottom of the roof. Nail the flashing to the wall with two galvanized roofing nails and a hammer.

Install J Channel Under Existing Siding

2

Lay a shingle over the step flashing starting at the roof edge. Fasten that shingle with two galvanized nails at the top, then cover the top of it with another piece of step flashing, nailed to the wall. Work up the roof in steps, covering each end of flashing with a shingle and each end of a shingle with flashing, so there are no open seams. Alternate flashing and shingles to the roof peak.

3

Cut a piece of flashing along the bend line about half the length of the strip to flash the peak of the roof. Bend the roof edge of the flashing down over the peak and nail the wall side to the sheathing extending past the peak. Install a reverse peak flashing for the other side of the roof, so the two wall edges overlap in an 'X.' Nail step flashing at a peak so the roof side extends over peak flashing on the roof.

4

Cover both sides of the roof with step flashing and shingles from the eave to the peak. Caulk the joints of flashing at the peak.

5

Install siding on the walls down to the flashing. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the step flashing and wood siding or cement board. Nail J-channel for vinyl or metal siding onto the flashing; follow the directions of the siding manufacturer for specific installation of these materials.

Things You Will Need

• Step flashing
• Tin snips
• Galvanized flashing nails
• Hammer
• Roof caulk or cement
• Shingles
• Siding (varies)

Tips

How To Install J Channel Brick Molding

• Install roofing felt before starting step flashing. Run roofing felt up the wall about an inch higher than the wall side of the step flashing.
• If your house has a roof line that extends past a corner of two walls, make the first piece of step flashing a corner. Use tin snips to cut a piece of flashing at a 45-degree angle from the outside corner to the bend line. Fold the top part around the corner and nail it to both walls. Lay the other edge on the roof. Caulk the bend line, the angle cut and all other edges with roofing caulk or cement, then proceed with step flashing up the roof.

Warning

• Use caution when working on the roof. Batten boards or a harness can make it less hazardous.

About the Author

Bob Haring has been a news writer and editor for more than 50 years, mostly with the Associated Press and then as executive editor of the Tulsa, Okla. 'World.' Since retiring he has written freelance stories and a weekly computer security column. Haring holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri.

Choose Citation Style

1. ↑https://www.vinylsiding.org/vsi-resources/why-vinyl-siding/
2. ↑https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/siding/vinyl-siding-installation/
3. ↑https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a169/installing-vinyl-siding-easily/
4. ↑https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/siding/an-introduction-to-installing-siding/
5. ↑https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a169/installing-vinyl-siding-easily/
6. ↑https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a169/installing-vinyl-siding-easily/
7. ↑https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a169/installing-vinyl-siding-easily/
8. ↑https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-install-vinyl-siding/
9. ↑https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a169/installing-vinyl-siding-easily/
10. ↑https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a169/installing-vinyl-siding-easily/
11. ↑https://www.provia.com/images/img/pdf/Vinyl_Siding_Installation_Manual_English2.pdf
12. ↑https://www.provia.com/images/img/pdf/Vinyl_Siding_Installation_Manual_English2.pdf
13. ↑https://www.americanladderinstitute.org/page/Ladders101
14. Time-Life Books. (1989). Fix It Yourself: Roofing & Siding. Alexandria Vir.:St. Remy Press.