ft
Average wall height (not roof)
Enter height (1–60 ft)
ft
Add all wall lengths around the house
Enter perimeter (10–2,000 ft)
ft²
Typical 3-bed home: 80–150 ft²
$
Vinyl: $90–$200 | Hardie: $150–$300 | Wood: $200–$400
Siding Squares Needed
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How to Calculate Siding
Siding is measured in squares — one square = 100 square feet of coverage. To find the number of squares, calculate the total wall area, subtract openings, add a waste factor, then divide by 100.
Siding Formula
Wall Area = Perimeter × Wall Height
Net Area = Wall Area − Openings
Squares = Net Area × (1 + Waste%) ÷ 100
Example: 160 ft perimeter × 9 ft height = 1,440 ft². Minus 120 ft² openings = 1,320 ft². With 10% waste: 1,452 ft² ÷ 100 = 14.5 squares.
💡 Pro tip: Always add gable area separately if your home has triangular gable ends. Gable area = (width × height) ÷ 2 per gable. Most estimators forget this and run short.
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical 1,500 sq ft single-story home needs approximately 14–18 squares of siding, depending on wall height, window area, and waste factor. A two-story home of the same footprint needs roughly 20–26 squares. Use our calculator with your actual dimensions for a precise estimate.
Vinyl siding is lightweight, low-maintenance, and costs $90–$200/square installed. Fiber cement (like HardiePlank) is heavier, more durable, fire-resistant, and costs $150–$300/square installed. Fiber cement lasts 30–50 years vs 20–30 years for vinyl, and holds paint better. Most contractors recommend fiber cement for long-term value.
A typical 2,000 sq ft home takes 1–2 weeks for a professional crew to side completely. Vinyl is faster to install than fiber cement. Preparation work (removing old siding, repairing sheathing, installing house wrap) can add several days. DIY installation is possible for vinyl but not recommended for fiber cement due to the weight and cutting requirements.
Ideally yes. Removing old siding lets you inspect and repair the sheathing and moisture barrier. However, installing new vinyl over existing wood siding is a common practice that saves labor cost. You cannot install fiber cement over existing siding — it must go over a solid, flat substrate. Always check local building codes before deciding.
Fiber cement (Hardie Board) handles freeze-thaw cycles well, resists moisture, and doesn't become brittle. Engineered wood is a good budget alternative. Standard vinyl can crack in extreme cold if impacted. Insulated vinyl (with foam backing) adds R-2 to R-4 and reduces thermal bridging. Avoid unfinished wood siding unless committed to regular maintenance.
Installed costs: vinyl $3–$8/ft²; fiber cement $6–$13/ft²; engineered wood $5–$10/ft²; brick veneer $10–$20/ft²; stucco $7–$14/ft². Labor is 40–50% of total. A 2,000 ft² home needs roughly 1,500–1,800 ft² of siding after subtracting windows and doors. Get at least three all-inclusive bids — prices vary 30–50% between contractors.
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