How to measure for siding
Multiply each wall's length by its height. For a gable end, add the triangle above the wall: width x peak height ÷ 2. Then subtract the openings — about 15 sq ft for a typical window, 21 for a door and 112 for a 16' x 7' garage door.
Example: a 40' x 28' ranch with 9-foot walls and two 7-foot gables has 1,224 sq ft of wall and 196 sq ft of gables. Taking out ten windows and two doors leaves 1,228 sq ft. With 12% waste for the gable cuts that's 13.8 squares — 7 boxes of vinyl at 2 squares per box.
Squares, boxes and planks
Siding is priced by the square (100 sq ft). Most vinyl comes two squares to a box. Lap siding is counted by the plank: a fiber-cement plank 8 1/4" wide laid at 7" exposure and 12 feet long covers 7 sq ft.
Trim and accessories
- Outside corner posts at every outside corner, full height.
- J-channel around windows and doors and up the gable rakes.
- Starter strip along the bottom of every wall.
- Housewrap over the sheathing first, lapped and taped.
Replacing the roof too? Try the roofing calculator.