Attachment device for sheet type construction siding

The present document describes a fastening device for fastening siding sheets to a surface, each one of the siding sheets comprising a first end, a second end and a projection portion, the fastening device comprising a strip for attachment to the surface; and braces spaced along the strip, at least one of the braces for engaging the first end of one of the siding sheets, wherein while fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface, the second end of the one of the siding sheets is secured in place, then the first end of the one of the siding sheets is engaged in at least one of the braces.

BACKGROUND

This description relates to the field of construction materials. More particularly, this description relates to fasteners for fastening sheet type construction siding to a surface of a building.

(b) Related Prior Art

Usually, building sidings are made of an alignment of siding sheets laterally joined to cover a side or a portion of a side of a building. Siding sheets can be made of metal, plastics or other composite materials. Siding sheets are designed for protection of the exterior of a building while acting as a design element. Siding sheets can be disposed at any angle with respect to the ground.

Traditionally, siding sheets are perpendicularly nailed to studs disposed on the wall. Two or more workers are necessary to position a siding sheet and to nail it. Most often, especially for genuine siding sheets, nails are used to install the sheets using a manual hammer. A pneumatic or electrical hammer will often split the sheet. Also, sheets must be parallel to each other, so a line must be drawn on the wall regularly to keep them all level. Moreover, ends of a sheet must be cut to correspond to a stud.

Some systems allow nailing additional individual pieces to walls by pneumatic or electrical hammer. Each additional piece has to be nailed individually and gradually as the installation of the siding sheets progresses. These pieces must also be individually aligned with each other horizontally.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,513 (Grigas et al.) describes an apparatus for applying metallic siding. The apparatus includes a plurality of uprights provided with a series of integral or secured clips. Each clip includes a portion extending outwardly away from its upright, then extending downwardly and formed to curve inwardly and reversely, terminating in an upward direction forming a hook with an upwardly opening bight. The clip is provided with many folding sections, which are folded, bent, punch or otherwise formed inwardly and outwardly toward the upright. This configuration of the clip does not provide an optimal strength to the clip during installation of the metallic siding on the apparatus. Additionally, the clip of U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,513 may comprise a base plate that is punched forming a rearwardly extending tongue to act as the hook as previously described. This punched section also reduces the optimal strength to the clip during installation of the metallic siding on the apparatus. This reduction in rigidity resulting from the void in the base plate results in an unnecessary thickness of the base plate. Hence, holes for installation of the apparatus must be pre-drilled or punched. The apparatus cannot simply be nailed in place.

There is therefore a need for improved fasteners for fastening sheet type construction siding.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a fastening device that overcomes or mitigates one or more disadvantages of known fasteners or at least provides a useful alternative.

Contrary to the prior art devices, the fastening device of the present disclosure provides some play in the siding sheet/brace arrangement which permit this upward movement thereby reducing the stress on the braces and permits easy installation.

Furthermore, the fact that the braces do not extend further than the projection portion of the siding sheet provides other advantages. First, the fact that the bottom end (second end) of a siding sheet is attached to the projection without the brace being involved provides an additional buffer to reduce the stress on the braces; i.e., the wind pull on the bottom end will pull on the projection portion without affecting the braces.

Second, the fact that the braces do not extend to the projection portion leaves some space between the first end of the siding sheet and the projection portion for a nailing strip. In fact, the configuration of the braces of the present disclosure permits the use of certain conventional siding panels which have such a nailing strip without modification or with minimal modification thereto.

Another advantage over the prior art of having shorter braces as in the present design for the fastening device is that, in the prior art, if the wind pulls on the bottom end of the siding sheet (or otherwise during installation), thereby pulling on the braces, the braces will be displaced away from the installation surface (such as during installation), thereby increasing the chances that the siding sheet will detach or disengage from the brace. The fact that in an embodiment of the present design provides a shorter brace and a hook portion which returns upwardly from the lowest point ensures that this situation is avoided; i.e., the first end of the siding sheet is well secured in the brace.

Another advantage over the prior art is to provide a brace which includes folds only toward the strip to provide an optimal strength to the clip during installation of a siding sheet on the fastening device. Also, an advantage over the prior art is to provide a brace that, with its configuration, provide an optimal strength to the brace during installation, thus resulting in an improvement in the rigidity of the brace on the fastening device and in the ability to attach the fastening device using pneumatic nailing tools or a hammer with nails anywhere in the strip; i.e., without using pre-drilled or punched holes.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a fastening device for fastening siding sheets to a surface, each one of the siding sheets comprising a first end, a second end and a projection portion between the first end and the second end, the fastening device comprising: a strip for attachment to the surface; and braces spaced along the strip and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom to a lowest point, at least one of the braces for engaging the first end of one of the siding sheets, the braces each comprising a hook portion, a flexible portion and an abutment portion, the hook portion extending from the flexible portion and the abutment portion extending from the lowest point toward the surface, wherein while fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface, the second end of the one of the siding sheets is secured in place, then the first end of the one of the siding sheets is pushed against the abutment of the at least one of the braces to displace the hook portion away from the surface until the first end of the one of the siding sheets is engaged in the hook portion thereby fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface; wherein the braces comprise a reinforcement section on at least one of: the hook portion, the flexible portion and the abutment portion for reinforcing the braces while fastening the siding sheets to the surface.

According to another embodiment, the braces are regularly spaced along the strip.

According to another embodiment, the braces are irregularly spaced along the strip.

According to another embodiment, the braces comprise two braces to form a union part to join two siding sheets in an end-to-end relationship.

According to another embodiment, the strip and braces are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part.

According to another embodiment, the braces are cutout and folded from the same piece of material, the braces thereby comprising folds only toward the strip.

According to another embodiment, the folds comprise at least two folds, namely a first fold and a second fold.

According to another embodiment, the flexible portion is comprised between the first and the second folds.

According to another embodiment, a distance between the first and the second folds is greater than a distance between any consecutive folds thereafter or than a length of material on the braces after a last fold thereby ensuring that the flexible portion will flex to displace the hook portion.

According to another embodiment, the same unitary piece of material comprises steel, aluminum, plastic, vinyl, composite material or any combination thereof.

According to another embodiment, the abutment portion extends from the hook portion.

According to another embodiment, the abutment portion forms part of the hook portion.

According to another embodiment, the strip comprises a portion for being perforated by nails for fixing the strip on the surface.

According to another embodiment, the strip comprises markings or holes disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance of each brace for facilitating the positioning of the fastening device on the surface.

According to another embodiment, the strip has a longitudinal direction and the markings or holes comprise pairs of markings or holes wherein the markings or holes in each of the pairs of markings or holes form a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip.

According to another embodiment, the strip has a longitudinal direction and the braces have a width in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip and wherein the first end of the one of the siding sheets is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the one of the siding sheets, the longitudinal direction of the strip and the longitudinal direction of the siding sheets are therefore generally perpendicular to each other.

According to another embodiment, the strip is for vertical attachment to the surface while the siding sheets are for horizontal installation.

According to another embodiment, the fastening device may further comprise an outward extension extending from the strip for exerting an outward positive pressure on the siding sheets.

According to another embodiment, the strip comprises alignment supports disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance of each brace for receiving an alignment guide and facilitating the positioning of the fastening device on the surface.

According to another embodiment, the reinforcement section comprises a plurality of reinforcement sections on at least one of: the hook portion, the flexible portion and the abutment portion for reinforcing the braces while fastening the siding sheets to the surface.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for fastening to a surface, siding sheets comprising a first end, a second end and projection portion, the method comprising: installing, on the surface and at the same level, identical longitudinal fastening devices each comprising braces; securing the second end of one of the siding sheet with the projection portion of another siding sheet along the surface and perpendicularly to the longitudinal fastening devices; pushing, the first end of the siding sheet against one or more of the braces to displace the one or more of the braces away from the surface until the one or more of the braces springs back to its/their original position and the first end is engaged in the one of the braces thereby fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface; and repeating the securing and pushing steps for another one of the siding sheets to be fastened to the projection portion of an installed siding sheet until the surface is covered.

According to another embodiment, the method may further comprise installing a starting strip on the surface in the same longitudinal direction as the intended longitudinal direction of the siding sheets, and wherein the installing the identical longitudinal fastening devices comprises leaning a bottom end of the identical longitudinal fastening devices against a top edge of the starting strip during installation thereof to the surface thereby ensuring all braces on a given identical longitudinal fastening devices are aligned with the braces of other identical longitudinal fastening devices.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a fastening device for fastening siding sheets to a surface, each one of the siding sheets comprising a first end, a second end and a projection portion between the first end and the second end, the fastening device comprising: a strip for attachment to the surface; and braces spaced along the strip and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom to a lowest point, at least one of the braces for engaging the first end of one of the siding sheets, the braces each comprising a hook portion, a flexible portion and an abutment portion, the hook portion extending from the flexible portion and the abutment portion extending from the lowest point toward the surface, wherein while fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface, the second end of the one of the siding sheets is secured in place, then the first end of the one of the siding sheets is pushed against the abutment of the at least one of the braces to displace the hook portion away from the surface until the first end of the one of the siding sheets is engaged in the hook portion thereby fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface; wherein the braces are cutout and folded, the braces thereby comprising folds, the folds being only toward the strip.

According to another embodiment, there is provided an assembly comprising: a plurality of siding sheets fastened to a surface, each one of the siding sheets comprising a first end, a second end and a projection portion between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of fastening devices attached to the surface, each one of the fastening devices including: a strip attached to the surface; and braces spaced along the strip and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom to a lowest point, at least one of the braces engaging the first end of one of the siding sheets, the braces each comprising a hook portion, a flexible portion and an abutment portion, the hook portion extending from the flexible portion and the abutment portion extending from the lowest point toward the surface; wherein the second end of the one of the siding sheets is secured in place with the projection portion of a previously installed siding sheet or of a previously installed starting strip, and the first end of the one of the siding sheets is secured in place with the plurality of braces.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of fastening devices are in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the plurality of siding sheets.

According to another embodiment, the plurality of fastening devices are for a vertical attachment to the surface and wherein the plurality of siding sheets are for an horizontal attachment to the surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIG. 1, there is shown a building10having an outside surface12covered with parallel strapping14regularly or irregularly fixed on the surface12. On the lower left part16of the surface12, siding sheets18, such as plastic siding sheets or metallic siding sheets, are horizontally fastened to strapping14. On the lower right part20of the surface12, strapping22are shown inclined with respect to the ground. It will be shown that siding sheets24are installed perpendicularly to the strapping22.

FIG. 2illustrates a structure with fastening devices30. As shown inFIGS. 2,2B and3, there is shown a fastening device30for fastening siding sheets18to a surface12(FIG. 1).

The fastening device30also includes ridges46(FIG. 2) for exerting a positive outward pressure on the siding sheets18once installed. The positive outward pressure may also be exerted on the siding sheet18using other means such as cut-out extensions (not shown) similar to braces34. All positive pressure means, such as ridges46, act to provide an air space behind the siding sheets18.

According to an embodiment, the fastening device30is made of rigid material such as sheet metal comprising steel. The fastening device30, shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, is meant to be installed on strapping14or strapping22ofFIG. 1. The fastening device30can be installed to strapping14or22using nails installed by hand or using a pneumatic gun. Any other means for fixing fastening device30to strapping14or22such as screws, glue, double-side or single-side tape, etc., or any combination thereof is acceptable.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, on the fastening device30, braces34are regularly or irregularly disposed along the strip32. As shown inFIG. 2B, each brace34has a flexible portion38and a hook portion36that extends from the flexible portion38. The brace also comprises an abutment portion39located above the lowest point of the brace. Each portion is for engaging one end of siding sheets18as shown in more detail inFIG. 5. The strip32further comprises a plurality of markings40(FIG. 2), each disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance from a brace34. Each marking40acts as a visual indicator to facilitate the positioning of the fastening device30on the surface12.

It is to be noted that the braces34may be cutout and folded. Thus, the braces34comprise folds which are only toward the strip32.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the function of the markings40may be implemented by other means than those shown inFIG. 2. For example, there could only be one bore between each brace34. The markings40could also be replaced by any type of marking, such as a line, a dot or dots, bores, etc., as long as it is disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance from a brace34.

Now referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a side view of a siding sheet18according to an embodiment. The siding sheet18includes a first end44, a second end42and a projection portion31.

There is also shown the bottom back hook43of the second end42and a front top hook45of the first end44, which are normally found on siding sheets18. Bottom back hook43of the second end42and front top hook45of the first end44function as they would normally in that, bottom back hook43of the second end42of a siding sheet18for installation above an installed lower siding sheet18is made to interact with front top hook45of the first end44of the installed lower siding sheet18. Front top hook45of the first end44is made to interact with hook portion36to hold the top portion of the siding18to the strip32and hence to strapping14ofFIG. 1.

Now referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a side view of siding sheets18fastened to a surface by the fastening device30. During the fastening of the siding sheet18to the surface12(FIG. 1), the second end42of the siding sheet18is secured in place with the projection portion31of another siding sheet18, then the first end44of the siding sheet18is pushed against the brace34to displace the hook portion36(FIG. 3) away from the surface12of the siding sheets18until the brace34springs back to its original position and the first end44of the siding sheet18is engaged in the hook portion36thereby fastening the one of the siding sheets18to the surface12.

InFIG. 5, the bottommost siding sheet18is shown installed. In this embodiment, the flexible portion38(FIG. 2B) of a brace34engages and secures the first end44of a siding sheet18.

Still referring toFIG. 5, the topmost siding sheet18is shown ready to be installed with its second end42in place on the projection portion31of the bottommost siding sheet18while the first end44is pushing against the brace34.

Although a given profile for the siding sheets18is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, many other profiles which will work well are possible (seeFIGS. 8 and 9). Indeed, braces34,134and234may take different shapes. Also, siding sheets18,118and218may respectively take on different forms to provide different embodiments for the fastening devices30,130and230. The siding sheets18,118and218include a projection portion31,131and231that may take different shapes. The same can be said about the particular shape of the braces as long as the braces34,134and234properly interact with the first end of the siding sheets respectively18,118and218. The distance between braces34,134and234corresponds respectively to the distance between the first ends44,144and244and the second ends of each siding sheets18,118and218minus a distance equivalent to that between the first ends44,144,244and projection portions31,131and231respectively; said another way, the distance between braces34,134and234corresponds respectively to the distance between the second ends of each siding sheets18,118and218and the projection portions31,131and231.

It should be noted that fastening device30may be made of various materials such as metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, vinyl, composite material etc.

Installation of siding sheets18on a surface using the fastening device30is much easier and faster that using prior art techniques and devices.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown a fastening device30comprising a strip32. The fastening device30is made of rigid material such as sheet metal comprising steel. The fastening device30is meant to be installed on strapping14or strapping22ofFIG. 1. The fastening device30can be installed to strapping14or22using nails installed by hand or using a pneumatic gun. Any other means for fixing fastening device30to strapping14or22such as screws, glue, double-side or single-side tape, etc., or any combination thereof is acceptable.

Still referring toFIG. 6, there is shown a side view of a plurality of siding sheets18fastened to a surface by the fastening device30.

On the fastening device30, braces34are regularly disposed along the strip32. Each brace34has a hook portion36(FIG. 2B). Each hook portion36is for engaging a corresponding top back hook portion of the first end44of the siding sheet18.

Now referring toFIG. 7, according to an embodiment, the user uses a known method for fastening siding sheets18to a surface12. The user may use a set of markings40from the fastening device30as a reference to level all the fastening devices30(seeFIG. 2). One of the steps may include using a chalk line with a regular level or a laser level.

According to an embodiment, the strip32may comprise alignment supports15disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance of each brace34for receiving an alignment guide and facilitating the positioning of the fastening device30on the surface12.

The selected height may be determined by where the user wants a given siding sheet18to be located relative to a part of the surface; i.e., the top or the bottom of the surface, an opening in the surface, etc. Then, the fastening devices30are installed. All markings40should form level horizontal lines since all fastening devices30are identical.

Then, a first fastening device30is installed at a selected height. Once the surface is marked with a level horizontal line crossing one of the sets of markings40, the user installs a fastening device30on all, or a majority of, the remaining strapping14with a set of markings40from each fastening device30crossing the horizontal line. Having all sets of markings40at the same relative distance from a respective brace34ensures that all braces form level horizontal lines. Using a nail gun for installing the fastening device30to the stripping is particularly useful.

The user then starts installing siding sheets18starting at the bottom of the surface and then moves up from there to the row of siding sheets18immediately above. Each siding sheet18is installed simply by securing or hooking the second end42of a siding sheet18to a projection portion31of another, previously installed, siding sheet18. The first end44of the siding sheet18is then pushed against the row of braces34above it. The braces34are forced to move upward until the first end44of the siding sheet18crosses the hook portion36of the braces34. The hook portion36of braces34will then secure the siding sheet18in place. The series of views from left to right inFIG. 7shows this process.

A shown inFIG. 7more particularly, the method for fastening siding sheets18to a surface comprises the steps of securing in place the second end42of the one of the siding sheets18with the projection portion31of another one of the siding sheets18and pushing against the at least one of the braces34the first end44of the one of the siding sheets18to displace the hook portion36away from the surface12of the one of the siding sheets18until the first end44of the one of the siding sheets18is engaged in the hook portion36thereby fastening the one of the siding sheets18to the surface12.

Installing siding sheets18using this technique can thus be achieved by one person without using nails through the siding sheets18.

FIG. 7also shows that, during installation, the second end42of a siding sheet18being installed pulls up on the projection portion31of the siding sheet18below. There is thus some play provided in the siding sheet/brace arrangement which permit this upward movement. Once the siding sheet18is installed, it then slightly moves back down until the front hook portions45rests on their respective braces34.

Referring now toFIGS. 11,16A and16B, there is shown on the fastening device330, braces334which are regularly or irregularly disposed along the strip332. As shown inFIG. 11, each brace334has a flexible portion338and a hook portion336that extends from the flexible portion338. The brace334also comprises an abutment portion339located above the lowest point600of the brace334. Each portion is for engaging one end of siding sheets318as shown in detail inFIG. 5. The strip332further comprises a plurality of markings or alignment holes340, each disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance from a brace334. Each marking or alignment hole340acts as a visual indicator to facilitate the positioning of the fastening device330on the surface12. The strip332of the fastening device330also includes alignment supports315disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance of each brace334for receiving an alignment guide395(FIG. 15) which facilitated the positioning of the fastening device330on the surface. More particularly, the strip332has a longitudinal direction and the alignment supports315form a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip332. The braces334also comprise a reinforcement section398on at least one of: the hook portion336, the flexible portion338and the abutment portion339for reinforcing the braces334while fastening the siding sheets (not shown) to the surface. It is to be noted that the reinforcement section398comprises a plurality of reinforcement sections398on at least one of: the hook portion336, the flexible portion338and the abutment portion339for reinforcing the braces334while fastening the siding sheets (not shown) to the surface.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the function of the alignment supports315may be implemented by other means than those shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 12illustrates a partial close-up view of the fastening device330ofFIG. 11. There is shown inFIG. 12that the hook portion336, the flexible portion338and the abutment portion339include a plurality of reinforcement sections398for reinforcing the braces334while fastening the siding sheets (not shown) to the surface.

Now referring toFIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a plurality of fastening devices330fixed to a plurality of strips according to another embodiment. As shown inFIG. 11, on the fastening devices330, braces334are regularly disposed along the strips332. As shown inFIG. 11, each brace334has a flexible portion338and a hook portion336that extends from the flexible portion338. The braces334also comprise an abutment portion339located above the lowest point600(FIG. 11) of the braces334. Each portion is for engaging one end of siding sheets318.

Still referring toFIGS. 13 and 14there is shown a starting strip410installed on the surface in the same longitudinal direction as the intended longitudinal direction of the siding sheets318(FIG. 14). The starting strip410has a projection portion412, which is equivalent to the projection portion31(FIG. 4), for receiving the second end42(FIG. 4) of a first siding sheet318(FIG. 14) installed on the strips332.FIG. 14shows that a siding sheet318is installed using the starting strip410and the plurality of fastening devices330. It is to be noted that the projection portion412on the starting strip410may upwardly project from the starting strip410at any longitudinal position between the opposite edges of the starting strip410. However, the projection portion412needs to be at a distance to ensure that the second end42(FIG. 4) of a first siding sheet318installed on the strips332can be engaged in the projection portion412while the first end44(FIG. 4) of the first siding sheet318can engage a brace334.

Still referring toFIG. 14, there is shown assembly of a plurality of siding sheets318fastened to a surface. Each one of the siding sheets318includes a first end44, a second end42and a projection portion31between the first end44and the second end42(FIG. 4). The assembly500comprises a plurality of fastening devices330attached to the surface. Each one of the fastening devices330includes a strip332(FIG. 13) attached to the surface and braces334spaced along the strip332. The braces334are extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom to a lowest point600(FIG. 11). At least one of the braces334engages the first end44of one of the siding sheets318. The braces334each includes a hook portion336, a flexible portion338and an abutment portion339, where the hook portion336extends from the flexible portion338and the abutment portion339extends from the lowest point600toward the surface. The second end42of the one of the siding sheets318is secured in place with the projection portion31, and the first end44of the one of the siding sheets318is secured to the at least one of the braces334.

Referring now toFIG. 15, there is shown siding sheets318fastened to a surface and an alignment guide395removably fixed to fastening devices330according to another embodiment. The alignment guide395is removably secured to the alignment supports315disposed at a fixed longitudinal distance of each brace334of the fastening devices330. The alignment guide395allows, when the surface shows obstructions or openings450(i.e.; doors, windows, a second floor, and the like) to ensure that the fastening devices330installed above these obstructions or openings450are perpendicular to the alignment guide395and to the same longitudinal direction as the intended longitudinal direction of the siding sheets318already installed. The alignment may be performed by simply drawing a line across the strips using the bottom or another portion of the guide395. The fastening devices330can then be installed by aligning the markings or the alignment holes340with the line drawn across the mountings. After or before installation of the fastening devices330above these obstructions or openings450, the alignment guide395may be removed from the alignment supports315and other siding sheets318may be installed above the obstructions or openings450.

Back toFIG. 10, there is described an embodiment of a method80for fastening to a surface, siding sheets comprising a first end, a second end and a projection portion. The method80comprises: installing a starting strip on the surface in the same longitudinal direction as the intended longitudinal direction of the siding sheets (step82); installing, on the surface, identical longitudinal fastening devices, each comprising braces, while leaning a bottom end of the identical longitudinal fastening devices against a top edge of the starting strip during installation of the starting strip to the surface, thereby ensuring all braces on a given identical longitudinal fastening devices are aligned with the braces of other identical longitudinal fastening devices (step84); securing, on the starting strip, the second end of one of the siding sheets along the surface and perpendicularly to the longitudinal fastening devices (step86); pushing, the first end of the siding sheet against one or more of the braces to displace the one or more of the braces away from the surface until the one or more of the braces springs back to its/their original position(s) and the first end is engaged in the one of the braces thereby fastening the one of the siding sheets to the surface (step88); and repeating the securing and pushing steps for another one of the siding sheet(s) to be fastened/hooked on the projection portion of an installed siding sheet until the surface is covered (step90).

Alternatively, steps82,84and86are adapted for the situation where no starting strip is provided. In such a situation, a first longitudinal fastening device is installed. A line is drawn (e.g., using a chalk line) on the surface perpendicularly to the first longitudinal fastening device and crossing one of the markings thereon. Then, other longitudinal fastening devices are installed on the surface while ensuring the crossing of one of the markings of each of the longitudinal fastening device thereby resulting in the braces being perfectly aligned in rows. A portion of a siding sheet comprising at least the first end and the projection portion can then be installed using the lowermost braces and another securing means (e.g., nails, glue, screws, staples, etc.) if necessary. The method then proceeds to step86by securing the second end on the projection portion of the installed portion of siding sheet instead of on the starting strip. The other steps of the method are then performed as described above.