Abstract: A starter strip and siding strip combination comprises a siding strip of the kind having a hooked lower edge. The starter strip consists of an upper nailing portion having a downwardly-outwardly-extending main flange projecting from its front face and a return retainer flange extending horizontally from the main flange toward the front face, the free end tip of the return flange being rounded. The hooked lower edge of the first siding strip can be engaged with the flanges while in a horizontal orientation, in which the siding strip floats freely and can easily be moved sideways for adjustment. The siding strip can then be rotated into the vertical position against the associated structure and nailed thereto, without the possibility of disengagement from the starter strip, either during installation or during subsequent expansion and contraction of the siding by daily and seasonal temperature changes.