Cornice Installation

It is time for cornice installation after the installation of sheathing has been completed. During the cornice installation, the cornice contractor bands the house with 2×4 nailing lookouts. The cornice contractor nails 2×4 lookouts to the banding and rafter tails, installs the fascia board, and installs the brick frieze.

It is also typical that during the cornice installation, the contractor will cut 6″ x 14″ holes in the soffit material and will then screen them with 8″ x 16″ pre-primed soffit grills. However, some materials, such as products by James Hardie, often are perforated with holes and will not require grills.

Also during the cornice installation, the cornice contractor is responsible for installing all exterior siding, doors, and windows. He will also install siding lintels over windows, doors, and also garage doors. During the cornice installation, the contractor will trim out the garage doors with 2×8 treated lumber (or cedar) with the bottoms either cut square or at a 45 degree angle depending on your preference. The important part is that the contractor leave the material at least 1/2″ above the concrete so that it does not constantly soak up water. Also during the cornice installation the contractor should install metal flashing and gable louvers where required. He shall also install any louvers, shutters and columns as required by your plans.

During the cornice installation, it is likely that you should have the cornice contractor supply all of the required nails, poly for under the windows, galvanized nails for siding, and any scaffolding he may need.

Cornice Installation Checklist

During cornice installation, you need to confirm that all of the exterior crown molding and siding joints are properly fitted together.
Confirm that no sub-grade material was used by contractor
All lamb legs are installed symmetrically.
The soffit vents are properly installed
During cornice installation, make sure that the brick frieze lines up with the brick ledge.
Fascia level and straight and nailed to rafter tail and look out.
Make sure that the cornice installation has the fascia board lined up with the pitch of the roof.
Nails and staples properly set for entire cornice installation.
Fascia board and soffit nailed to every lookout.
Gable louvers installed.
Siding lintels are installed
Siding properly nailed on each framing member.
H-mold used on all soffit joints.
Siding not resting on concrete and is below the bottom plate.
Check during cornice installation that the bottoms of all bay windows are sealed
Doors set properly and properly blocked (3 times on each side)
Confirm during the cornice installation the the windows are shut and locked when they are installed. When installing windows that are mulled together, care must be taken to ensure correct fit and function.
Windows are set level and properly flashed with poly at time of cornice installation.
Step gables flashed