There are several ways to cut vinyl siding, and the best way will depend on how much siding you need to cut. Another factor to consider is the type of cuts that you are looking to make. But which tools work best? We've researched different ways to cut vinyl siding, and in this post, we will share the best ones with you.
Here are 10 highly-rated vinyl siding cutting tools:
- Electric Shears
- Miter Saw
- Tin Snips
- Utility Knife
- Angle Grinder
- Chop Saw
- Compact Circular Saw
- Siding and Laminate Cutter
- Fine-toothed Jigsaw
- Table saw
Vinyl siding can be tricky to cut if you are cutting it for the first time. Some of the biggest challenges include making even cuts without jagged edges and cutting tool portability. Continue reading to learn more about the best cutting tools for vinyl siding.
Using The Right Tools To Cut Vinyl Siding
Tooth Cut and Efficiency
The most important feature for vinyl siding cutting tools is the sharpness of the blade. Vinyl can be a tricky material to work with, and handling it improperly can cause it to snap and crack, leaving you with unusable pieces that'll need to be tossed out. You need a saw or tool with a very sharp and fine blade that can cut through vinyl without it cracking or bending.
There are a number of saws that can do this as well as other tools. You'll want to stay away from manual tools or ones that have jagged edges. If you do use a manual tool, it's best to use it for smaller jobs, as cutting piece after piece can be pretty tiring. Power tools, snips, and utility knives work great, and the number of pieces you'll need to cut will determine whether a manual or power tool would work best.
Portability
Portability is also a factor worth noting when considering vinyl siding cutting tools. If you need to perform a quick cut on the spot, it's easier to do it with two such as shears, snips, or utility knives. The issue with electric cutting tools is that they lack portability--you to set the two in one location and leave it there until you finish your job.
However, the power tools can save you time by providing super-fast cuts. So to say, if you are siding an entire home, a power tool will be more efficient. But if you are simply repairing a few vinyl pieces, a portable tool may be better than setting up something such as a table saw.
1. Electric Shears
Electric shears offer the convenience of portability with the strength of a power tool. If you are performing siding repair, a good pair of electric shears can take the manual labor out of a job and help you achieve great cuts by simply pulling a trigger.
Take a look at DeWalt electric shears on Amazon.
2. Miter Saw
Miter saws are designed to give you a perfectly straight cut each time you use them. This eliminates the need to readjust the saw and perform the cut again--which is necessary at times with angled cuts. These saws can help you perform numerous angle cuts in just a few seconds and are perfect if you're looking to replace siding on an entire home.
Take a look at this DeWalt miter saw on Amazon.
3. Tin Snips
Tin snips are one of the most common tools used to cut vinyl siding. This tool is perfect for cutting curves and angles and can come in handy when you want a clean-cut in a hurry. They may be more manual than the power tools, but they are definitely effective and more affordable.
Learn more about these tin snips on Amazon.
4. Utility Knife
Utility knives also work well to cut vinyl siding. The greatest benefit to using these tools is their convenience. It's easy to carry one up a ladder for a quick cut or angle adjustment. They are affordable, convenient, and have the portability that you need for on-the-spot tweaks.
Check out this B/BURY utility knife on Amazon.
5. Angle Grinder
Cutting angles in vinyl siding can be a headache, which is where these tools come in handy. Though angle grinders aren't used for vinyl siding cutting as often as the other tools listed, they still prove to be very effective. These grinders can cut through vinyl in a matter of seconds, and their portability makes them that much more desirable for this application.
Take a look at this Avid Power angle grinder on Amazon.
6. Chop Saw
It may surprise you to know that you can cut vinyl siding with a chop saw. These saws can only cut at right angles, so you'll need a miter saw for complicated cuts. However, If you have several boards that you need to shorten, a chop saw can work well for this application. They have sharp teeth and can produce accurate cuts--a combination that can speed up your work.
Learn more about this Bosch chop saw on Amazon.
7. Compact Circular Saw
Keeping a compact circular saw handy while cutting vinyl siding can help you make those quick tweaks when you need to. They also work especially well for angled cuts that require precision. If you have a large siding project to work on and are looking for a portable option for cutting end and side pieces, here it is.
Read more about this Galax Pro circular saw on Amazon.
8. Siding and Laminate Cutter
You can keep things simple by buying a stationary siding and laminate cutter. These tools can offer you shortcuts in an assembly-belt style process. You simply place the piece of siding on the cutter and then pull down the bladed lever. It's important to note that all siding cutters are made equal, so it's best to go with a solid brand to ensure good quality.
Learn more about Norske Tools siding cutter on Amazon.
9. Fine Tooth Jigsaw
If you're looking for a light power tool, you can also use a fine-tooth jigsaw to cut your vinyl siding. Jigsaws work great to help you cut right angles and corners of vinyl signing. This is especially useful when you're trying to fit the siding around windows, doors, and other angled areas.
Check out this Black & Decker jigsaw on Amazon.
10. Table Saw
A typical table saw is one of the best tools to use if you're re-siding an entire home. Not only do they give you the convenience and precision of fast, sharp cuts, but they also save you time when it comes to preparing a large number of same-size pieces.
Find this DeWalt table saw on Amazon.
How do you cut through vinyl siding?
You can use several tools to cut through vinyl siding. If you're looking to cut many pieces and need something efficient, a power saw such as a circular saw or miter saw may work best. On the other hand, if you're looking to make a handful of simple vertical cuts, you can use a pair of tin snips or electrical shears to get the job done.
Can you cut through vinyl siding with scissors?
A typical pair of home scissors or kitchen shears are not strong enough to cut through vinyl siding. However, a pair of industrial electrical shears can effectively cut through vinyl siding without requiring much manual effort on your part.
How thick is vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding typically ranges from 0.038 to .055 inches in thickness, but most pieces are around 4 inches thick. The thicker vinyl products are typically more expensive, as they are more durable and less prone to sagging and waiving over time. This siding is also referred to as premium siding due to its higher quality.
What saw cuts vinyl?
Several saws can cut vinyl siding, but the best saw to use will depend on the types of pieces you need to cut. If you're looking to cut long straight pieces, a miter saw or table saw will work best. If you need something that can cut angles, use a circular saw or table saw. Lastly, if you need something portable, an electric saw can also work well.
How do you cut already installed vinyl siding?
It's best to use a rotary tool or small circular saw to cut away installed vinyl. These small tools can be held at an angle to cut the vinyl without cutting the material behind it.
Wrapping Things Up
Before deciding which tool would work best to cut your vinyl siding, it's important to consider how many pieces you need to cut and the type of angles you'll need to make. Once you determine these two things, you'll be able to match the right tool to your applications.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
Does Vinyl Siding Expand And Contract?
How Much Does Vinyl Siding Cost For A Whole House? [Including Installation]