Calculating Siding Needs
Understanding how to figure out your siding requirement is key to any home improvement project. Get it right with your measurements and you won’t find yourself swimming in extra materials or making last-minute dashes to the hardware store.
Understanding Square Footage
Knowing square footage is vital for sorting out how much siding you’re gonna need. Measure it up with a simple length times width calculation. Hit up something like Calculator Academy to simplify your math if need be.
Siding’s measured in squares—just 100 square feet per each. It makes shopping easier since you just convert your total square footage into siding squares. Don’t forget your gables and dormers in your calculations; these parts matter too.
| Building Part | Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Total Sq Ft | Siding Squares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House | 40 | 20 | 800 | 8 |
| Garage | 20 | 15 | 300 | 3 |
| Gable | 10 | 5 | 50 | 0.5 |
Importance of Accurate Measurements
Getting your measurements spot on is crucial—botch it, and you’ll either run short or end up with a heap of leftovers. Save yourself the hassle and cash by noting the height and width for each wall, and add those tricky bits like gables and dormers.
Here’s your measurement game plan:
- Measure each wall’s height and width.
- Multiply to get each wall’s square footage.
- Add up all your walls’ square footage.
- Factor in stuff like gables and dormers.
- Deduct doors and windows from your total.
| Area | Height (ft) | Width (ft) | Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall 1 | 10 | 24 | 240 |
| Wall 2 | 10 | 24 | 240 |
| Wall 3 | 14 | 24 | 336 |
| Wall 4 (gable) | 14 | 24 | 168 |
| Window | 6 | 3 | -18 |
| Door | 7 | 3 | -21 |
Add up all these areas to lock down how much siding you need. Round that number up to make sure you’ve got everything covered.
You might also want to check out our articles on how to calculate floor area ratio or how to calculate freight cost for some extra handy tips.
Siding Materials and Costs
When you’re sprucing up your house, picking the right siding is a big deal. Knowing the choices and what they’ll do to your wallet helps you call the shots smartly.
Popular Siding Options
Siding materials are like flavors—everyone’s got a favorite based on what they’re after. Here’s the lowdown on some crowd-pleasers:
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Vinyl Siding: If you’re looking to keep things easy on the pocket and light on upkeep, vinyl’s your new best friend. Comes in an array of colors and styles, so you won’t get bored.
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Wood Siding: Got a thing for nature? Wood gives you that cozy cabin vibe. Needs some TLC regularly to keep the bugs and rot at bay, but it’s a great pick if you’re after curb appeal.
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Stucco Siding: Stucco’s the tough cookie with a classic edge. Needs some careful handling to avoid cracks but stick it out, and it’s in for the long haul. Keep in mind, though, stucco might have your credit card whimpering at over $30 a square foot (HOVER).
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Fiber Cement Siding: A modern marvel! This gives you the wood look without all its pest drama. It’s built to last and stand tough against the elements.
Cost Considerations
Prices on siding hop all over the place based on what you pick, how tricky the install is, and where you’re at in the country. Nailing down these numbers is step number one to budget sanity.
| Siding Material | Cost per Sq. Ft. | Ups | Downs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $2 – $7 | Wallet-Friendly, Easy Care, Lots of Looks | Crack-Prone in Crazy Weather |
| Wood | $7 – $15 | Natural, Chic | High Maintenance, Wood’s Frailty |
| Stucco | $30+ | Built to Last, Classic Style | Steep Price, Needs TLC Application |
| Fiber Cement | $9 – $14 | Hardy, Minimal Upkeep | Price Tag Shock at First |
Take board and batten siding, for instance, running you $10.50 to $13.90 per square foot if you hire out. Doing a 2,000-square-foot spot can land between $21,000 and $27,800 all in (James Hardie).
A solid budget isn’t just about what you’re slapping on your walls. Factor in labor, permits, and other little surprise costs. Need more budget-crunching deets? Check out our go-to guides on how to calculate feed rate and how to calculate insulation.
With a grip on siding options and their dollar signs, you can pick something that clicks with your style, lasts a lifetime, and doesn’t break the bank. Don’t hesitate to ask the pros if it all gets too much. Consider not just the current look but how it’ll stand the test of time and how much upkeep it’ll demand down the road.
How to Measure for Siding
Measuring for siding might not sound like the most thrilling home improvement task, but trust me, you don’t wanna order too little and live with a “patchwork quilt” effect. Here’s the lowdown on how to get this right the first time.
Calculating Square Footage
Let’s jump into the nitty-gritty of measuring your house’s outer skin:
- Size Matters – Measure the Height and Width: Grab your trusty tape measure, and note down the height and width of each side of your house—no guessing!
- Area Math – Match the Height and Width: Multiply what you just measured. Height times width gives you the square footage of each wall.
- Convert Your Results – Break It Down to Squares: Because we’re fancy, siding pros use “squares” for measuring (it’s that Emperor’s new math—100 square feet equals one legendary square). Divide your total square footage by 100, and behold, your siding squares.
| Side | Height (ft) | Width (ft) | Square Footage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 20 | 30 | 600 |
| Back | 20 | 30 | 600 |
| Left | 20 | 25 | 500 |
| Right | 20 | 25 | 500 |
| Total | 2200 / 100 = 22 Squares |
Need more help? Pop over to Progressive Foam for an extra scoop of details.
Measuring Additional Areas
Once the main walls are sorted, it’s time to deal with those sneaky extra areas—gables, dormers, windows, doors, etc. Don’t worry, we’ll handle them all.
Gables
For those triangle-shaped bits (yes, like your geometry classes promised you’d need):
- Peak Performance – Measure Height and Width: Stretch that measuring tape from base to peak and across the base.
- Triangle Tactics – Calculate the Area: Multiply the height by the width, then halve it (divide by 2, math whiz!).
- Slant Solutions – Adjust for Siding: Multiply by 0.75—because triangles aren’t straightforward (Progressive Foam).
| Gable | Height (ft) | Width (ft) | Adjusted Square Footage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 10 | 30 | (10 x 30 / 2) x 0.75 = 112.5 |
| Back | 10 | 30 | (10 x 30 / 2) x 0.75 = 112.5 |
Dormers
These little nooks where the windows peek out:
- Measure and Multiply: Take the height and width. Multiply ’em. Then show ’em who’s boss by multiplying by 1.5 (Progressive Foam).
| Dormer | Height (ft) | Width (ft) | Adjusted Square Footage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dormer 1 | 8 | 20 | 8 x 20 x 1.5 = 240 |
Windows and Doors
Where you’re NOT putting siding, unless you like redesign work:
- Measure Out What You Don’t Need: Measure each door and window—calculate the area and subtract it from your total siding. Doors and windows still have to breathe after you’re done!
| Feature | Height (ft) | Width (ft) | Square Footage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 x 6 = 24 |
| Door 1 | 7 | 3 | 7 x 3 = 21 |
Total Area to Subtract: 24 + 21 = 45 square feet.
Once you’re done transcending each step, subtract those uncovered bits and there you have it—the precise amount of siding that won’t leave you cursing home improvements.
For more tips and tricks, swagger over to LP Corp. Want to broaden your DIY toolkit further? Check how to calculate floor area ratio and become the local sizing legend.
Tips for Efficient Siding Estimation
Getting siding estimates right is key to making a project run smoothly. Here are some handy tips to help you nail the numbers when you’re figuring out siding needs.
Adding Extra Materials
When you’re figuring out how much siding you’ll need, it’s wise to plan for a bit extra. This way, you’ve got yourself covered for any goofs, hitches, or future fixes. It’s pretty standard to order a little more, say around 10-15% more than what you think you’ll need.
| Planned Siding (Squares) | Spare Material (Squares) | Total Bought (Squares) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 2 – 3 | 22 – 23 |
| 30 | 3 – 4.5 | 33 – 34.5 |
| 40 | 4 – 6 | 44 – 46 |
Remember, trim is measured in linear feet. Siding is measured in “squares,” with one square covering about 100 square feet (HOVER). It’s a good idea to include those tricky spots like below-ground areas. Different types of siding require different amounts, so keep that in mind for a spot-on estimate.
Need more help with numbers? Check out our detailed guide on how to calculate insulation.
Partnering with Professionals
Teaming up with a pro can really streamline the siding estimation. Experts have the right gadgets and apps like HOVER. This handy tool lets you snap pictures of your house with just your phone, which magically turn into 3D models showing exact measurements for roofs, siding, and trim (HOVER).
Pros bring know-how and special skills, making sure your numbers add up right. They can handle tricky measurements and give tips on materials that’ll save you a buck. When you’re tackling calculating square footage, their skills mean nothing’s skipped over.
For more help, check if they have certain methods for measuring top and bottom-level spaces, especially with real estate rules.
Need help with other calculations? Learn more about how to accurately calculate foot candles or calculate free float.