Amerimax Soffit Installation Guide

							J-channel (Decorative) 
Frieze Moulding
12 wide Panels
Fascia 4, 
6, 8, 10 
heights 
available1 Fascia 
Runner * Note – When product is installed in Florida see 
  Approval # FL 5896 for installation instructions with specifi c 
  adherence to the 2004 Florida Building Code. 
 http://www.fl oridabuilding.org/pr/pr_detl.asp?IPT=5896&RV=0&fm=ROSrch
MATERIAL SELECTION GUIDE 
AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
 Attractive:  Aluminum won’t split, rot, or warp.
   Baked on fi nish resists peeling, cracking, 
    chipping, and blistering.
 Easy To Work With: Aluminum can be cut with a sharp blade, 
    metal snips, or circular saw. Fasten it with a 
    hammer and (aluminum) nails. It’s lightweight 
   but strong.
 The Permanent  Proven over the past 50 years in siding, storm,  
 Outdoor Material: and screen doors and many other applications.
COMPONENTS                                                                             
PANEL SUPPORTS(twelve foot lengths)
Used to support the overhang panels.
OVERHANG PANELS (SOFFIT)(twelve foot lengths)
These lengths are cut into individual 
panels to match the depth of your overhang. 
They come either solid or vented.
FRONT TRIM(twelve foot lengths)
Used to cover the wood trim to which your gutter is 
attached. Now is a good time to decide on replacing 
your old gutters with an AMERIMAX RAIN CARRYING 
SYSTEM. The front trim may be slipped under the 
existing gutter if it is not removed. If front trim is not 
used, additional panel supports are required.
DOUBLE CHANNEL RUNNER(twelve foot lengths)
May be used instead of butting 
J channels at mitred corners.1
1/4 TRIM 
NAILS
A WORD ABOUT VENTED OVERHANG PANELSAmerimax vented panels allow outside air to pass through the roof rafters into your 
attic. Your attic exhaust system completes this important air circulation loop. Adequate 
ventilation is required to prevent:
•  Energy losses in summer 
  from a super-heated attic
•  Energy losses in winter 
  caused by attic insulation 
  that has soaked up 
  condensation and moisture.
•  Peeling paint and rotting wood 
  caused by condensation buildup inside the framework of the house.
A solid wooden overhang allows none of this vital air circulation. 
For adequate ventilation, Amerimax recommends that a minimum of 
1/3 
of the aluminum overhang panels be vented panels.
MEASURING FOR YOUR PROJECT
A. TOTAL OVERHANG LENGTH (feet)Measure the length (L) of overhang on all sides of your house. Add all these 
measurements to get the total overhang length, in feet.
B. OVERHANG DEPTH (inches)Identify your project from the illustrations 
below and measure the overhang depth, 
in inches, to the nearest 1/8 of an inch.
INSTALLING A 
HORIZONTAL OVERHANGINSTALLING AN 
INCLINED OVERHANG
Overhang
DepthOverhang
DepthOverhang
Depth
Overhang
Depth
Project I using 
Front TrimProject II not 
using Front TrimProject III using 
Front TrimProject IV not 
using Front Trim
MATERIAL SELECTION GUIDE
PANEL SUPPORTS: J-CHANNEL OR FRIEZE MOULDING (twelve foot lengths)
For projects I and IIIDivide total overhang length (in feet) by 12 and round up to the nearest whole number. 
If not using double channel at mitred corners, add one additional length if overhang 
turns a corner.
 Example: Total Overhang Length = 80 feet
  80 ÷ 12 = 6
8/12 lengths
  You need 7 twelve foot lengths plus one length if overhang turns a corner 
  and you are not using a double channel runner at mitred corner.
For projects II and IVDivide total overhang length ( in feet) by 6 and proceed as above.
 Example: Total Overhang Length = 80 feet
   80 ÷ 6 = 13
2/6 lengths
  You need 14 twelve foot lengths plus one length if overhang turns a corner 
  and you are not using double channel runner at mitred corner.
OVERHANG PANELS: SOFFIT (12 x twelve foot lengths)
LOCATE YOUR OVERHANG DEPTH
From 7 to 81/8  Divide total overhang length (in feet) by 18 and round up 
  to nearest whole number.
 Example: total overhang length = 80 feet
    80 ÷ 18 = 4 
8/18 lengths
    You need 5 twelve foot lengths.
Over 8 ½ to 9 ¾   Divide total overhang length (in feet) by 15 and proceed as above.
Over 9 ¾ to 12
1/8  Divide total overhang length (in feet)  by 12 and proceed as above.
Over 12
1/8 to 161/8   Divide total overhang length (in feet) by 9 and proceed as above.
Over 16
1/8 to 241/8   Divide total overhang length (in feet) by 6 and proceed as above.
Over 24
1/8 to 481/8   Divide total overhang length (in feet) by 3 and proceed as above.
Remember: Decide on how many solid and how many vented panels you want. The 
answers you get above are the total number of panels you need.
FRONT TRIM: Fascia or 1 Fascia Runner (twelve foot lengths)
Divide total overhang length (in feet) by 12 and round up to nearest whole number.
  Example: total overhang length = 80 feet
  80 ÷ 12 = 6 
8/12 lengths
  You need 7 twelve foot lengths.
NAILS:Only aluminum nails should be used. One box (¼ pound) of Amerimax 1¼ aluminum trim 
nails should be suffi cient for your entire project.
www.amerimax.com
(800) 347-2586
Lancaster, PA 17604
Circular saw 
with fi ne 
tooth blade 
for cutting 
metalMeasuring tapeCarpenter’s square
Sharp knife
Metal snipsChalkline
LevelHammerTOOLS 
REQUIRED
CAUTION: 
When nailing aluminum, hammer only until nail head touches 
aluminum surface. Further hammering may prevent normal 
expansion and cause buckling.
Before You  BeginRemove an existing trim. Consider possible obstructions such as utility lines. Panels may 
be cut to fi t around them or contact your utility company for removal or replacement.
Remove Any 
Existing Trim
L1 L 2 
						

							STEP 1. INSTALL PANEL SUPPORTS 
  (J-CHANNEL or FRIEZE MOULDING)
•  Always start at one end of the house.
•  No overlap is needed where lengths meet.
•  Nail on approximate 16 centers.
FOR PROJECTS I AND III, WHERE NEW OVERHANG WILL BE ON 
THE SAME ANGLE AS EXISTING OVERHANG OR RAFTERS
Install along wall of house by nailing through long leg into existing wooden 
overhang or rafters.
STEP 3: INSTALL FRONT TRIM 
  (Fascia or 1 Fascia Runner)
Note: If you are removing your existing gutter, mark the locations of the rafters so you can 
remount your gutter by fastening into the rafters, which is preferred over fastening to the 
wooden front trim.
When turning a cornerWrap-around should be about 2. Cut out the 
bottom lip with metal snips and blend front trim 
as shown. The fi rst piece used after turning the 
corner should overlap and come completely 
to the corner. Starting at one end, place front 
trim with bottom lip snug against the overhang 
panels. The top edge may be slipped under box 
style guttering it if it has not been removed. Nail 
as shown on approximate 16 centers. Do not 
overdrive nails. When installing the next length, 
overlap the fi rst by ½ to 1 and nail through 
the overlap joint.
ROOF GABLE BOARDSAmerimax Fascia can also be used to cover 
Gable Boards. Follow, the same procedure as 
above, mitre cutting the panels at the peak.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONSAluminum can be cleaned by using a mild 
soap and water solution. You should never use 
abrasive cleaners or pads. 
Project II Fig. A 
Project I
Fig. CFig. B
AA
FOR PROJECT I, WHERE YOU ARE CHANGING FROM AN 
INCLINED OVERHANG TO A HORIZONTAL OVERHANG
Mark point on wall level with bottom edge of wooden front trim 
at both corners (A). Strike a chalkline between the two points. 
Make 1” wide nailing fl anges on long edge of panel 
supports by notching with metal snips and bending 
up. Fasten panel supports to wall with long side 
up and top horizontal edge even with 
chalkline, nailing through fl anges.
FOR PROJECTS II AND IV 
WHERE NEW OVERHANG WILL 
BE ON THE SAME ANGLE AS 
EXISTING OVERHANG RAFTERS
Install along inside of wooden front trim 
by nailing through long leg or into existing 
overhang or rafters.
Fig. D
Project IV Project III
At one end of house, install only one length along the wall by nailing through long leg into 
existing wooden overhang or rafters (see Fig. A). Successive lengths will be installed along 
the wall after the overhang panels have been installed into the previous lengths.
FOR PROJECT II, WHERE YOU ARE CHANGING FROM 
AN INCLINED OVERHANG TO A HORIZONTAL OVERHANG
Install along inside of wooden front trim (see Fig. D). Follow procedure illustrated in Fig. B 
to strike a chalkline on wall. Chalkline should be level with bottom leg of panel support. At 
one end of house, install only one length along the wall by forming 1” wide nailing fl anges 
and nailing to wall with bottom horizontal edge even with chalkline. Successive lengths will 
be installed along the wall after the overhang panels have been installed into the previous 
lengths.
STEP 2. INSTALL OVERHANG PANELS (Soffit)
FOR ALL PROJECTS:Subtract ¼ inch (for clearance) 
from your measured overhang 
depth. Using this new 
dimension, cut the twelve foot 
lengths into individual panels, 
using your circular saw with 
fi ne tooth metal cutting blade.
Always start at one end of 
the house. The fi rst panel 
must be installed with 
interlocking-nailing edge square with the wall and positioned to receive the next panel.
FOR PROJECTS I AND III
Insert each panel into support and 
approximately even with outside edge of 
wooden front trim. Install each successive 
panel, pushing it up against the previous panel 
until it interlocks, before nailing into the bottom 
of the wooden front trim.
FOR PROJECTS II AND IV
Install the panel by sliding it into the tracked 
formed by the two panel supports. Install 
each successive panel, pushing it against the 
previous panel until it interlocks. Proceed until 
panel support against wall is fi lled. Install one 
additional length of panel support against the 
wall, as before. Proceed with installation of 
panels and panel supports.
Going Around Corners
If inside or outside corners are involved, make 
a mitre joint by butting two J-channels back 
to back as shown, or use Double Channel 
Runner. Cut the soffi t panels at the proper 
angle to fi t.
Important: Decide on the solid vs. vented pattern you wish to use. If you are covering an 
existing overhang you should cut a hole in the old overhang (to the approximate panel 
size) at each vented panel in order to achieve the desired air circulation.
Panel Support
SquareOverhang
PanelInterlocking 
Nailing 
Edge
2
Bend 
902
www.amerimax.com
(800) 347-2586
Lancaster, PA 17604