Siding layout tool and method

A method of making a longitudinal mark or cut on a piece of siding having an upper panel, a lower panel, a longitudinal ridge between the upper and lower panels, and a lip located toward the upper end of the upper panel, comprising the steps of:

• providing a tool defining a substantially planar plate portion and a step oriented at an angle to the plate portion, the plate portion having one or more openings extending therethrough, each opening being located at a predetermined distance from the step, wherein the tool defines a cross-section substantially corresponding to the cross-section of at least a portion of the piece of siding, and wherein the plate portion includes an upper planar plate portion extending upwardly from the step and terminating in an upper end, and a lower planar plate portion extending downwardly from the step, the upper and lower plate portions each having one or more openings therethrough located at predetermined distances from the step;
• placing the tool on the piece of siding by engaging the step with the longitudinal ridge disposed between the siding upper panel and the lower panel and placing the upper end of the upper planar plate portion between the lip and the upper panel to maintain the tool in position on the piece of siding, wherein the upper plate portion of the tool is disposed against the upper panel and the lower plate portion of the tool is disposed against the lower panel;
• placing a marking or cutting instrument through a selected one of the openings in the plate portion;
• and
• simultaneously moving the tool and the marking or cutting instrument longitudinally along the piece of siding while maintaining the step in engagement with the longitudinal ridge of the piece of siding and while maintaining the upper end of the upper planar plate portion between the lip and the upper panel.