the Everlast starter strip is designed to receive the first course of Everlast planks at the base of the wall due to Everlast's stack design it's critical that you install the starter strip level a level starting strip ensures that each subsequent course of siding will remain level as with most siding products find the lowest point of the structure and begin to install the starter strip at the base of the wall determine where you want the siding to terminate from grade from this point measure up three and a half inches and mark this location chalk a level line starter strip comes in 10-foot lengths leave approximately 4 inches from your trim to the starter strip position the top of the starter strip at your chalk line and fasten the strip tightly to each stud across the wall always leave a half inch gap between adjacent starter strips continue until starter strip is installed across the entire base of the wall for applications where the starter strip will be visible conceal the strip by wrapping it in aluminum color-matched coil or you can paint the starter strip before it's installed with a color matched paint you