Siding Materials List: Squares, Corners, Trim and House Wrap
Part of the project planner: Planning a shed, pergola, garage slab or coop.
A house with a 140 ft perimeter and 9 ft walls, with two gables and 150 ft² of windows and doors, has about 1,334 ft² of wall to cover, and needs 14.7 squares of siding (with 10% waste), 210 pieces of lap siding at 7 inch exposure, 4 corner posts, 10 pieces of J-channel and 2 rolls of house wrap.
The materials list
| What to buy | How much | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Siding | 14.7 squares (1,467 ft²) | Siding project calculator: wall area less the openings, plus 10% waste. One square covers 100 ft² |
| Lap siding pieces | 210 pieces of 12 ft | At 7 in exposure. A narrower exposure needs more pieces |
| Starter strip | 12 pieces of 12 ft | Around the base of the house |
| Outside corner posts | 4 posts of 10 ft | One at each outside corner |
| J-channel or trim | 10 pieces | Around windows and doors, and under the eaves |
| House wrap | 2 rolls of 9 × 100 ft | Over the sheathing, with 10% for laps |
| Seam tape and flashing | As needed | For the seams, windows and doors |
| Nails or screws | Per the maker | Corrosion-resistant, in the nailing slots, not driven tight |
Siding for other houses
Two gables of 28 × 8 ft, 150 ft² of openings, 7 inch exposure and 10% waste:
| Perimeter × wall height | Net wall area | Siding | Lap pieces (12 ft) | House wrap rolls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft × 8 ft | 874 ft² | 9.6 squares | 138 | 2 |
| 120 ft × 9 ft | 1,154 ft² | 12.7 squares | 182 | 2 |
| 140 ft × 9 ft | 1,334 ft² | 14.7 squares | 210 | 2 |
| 160 ft × 9 ft | 1,514 ft² | 16.7 squares | 238 | 2 |
| 180 ft × 10 ft | 1,874 ft² | 20.6 squares | 295 | 3 |
| 220 ft × 10 ft | 2,274 ft² | 25.0 squares | 358 | 3 |
Exposure changes the count
| Exposure | Pieces of 12 ft |
|---|---|
| 6 in | 245 |
| 7 in | 210 |
| 8 in | 184 |
The exposure is the part of each course you see. A wider exposure covers more wall with each piece. Gables add 224 ft² to this house.
Before you order
- Measure the walls. Take the height at several points, since houses are not always square, and measure each opening.
- Order from one batch. Colors differ between batches, and you may want extra for repairs.
- Check the sheathing. Repair rot and old flashing before you cover it.
- Install the wrap and flashing first. They keep water out when the siding leaks, as it all does a little.
- Respect the temperature. Vinyl expands and contracts, so leave room for movement and do not nail it tight.
Estimates only: check the maker's installation instructions, and your local code.
Frequently asked questions
How many squares of siding do I need?
A house with a 140 ft perimeter and 9 ft walls, two gables of 28 ft by 8 ft, and 150 ft² of openings needs 14.7 squares (1,467 ft² with 10% waste). One square covers 100 ft².
How do I calculate siding for a house?
Add up the wall area (perimeter times height, plus the gables), subtract the windows and doors, add 10% waste, and divide by 100 to get squares. That gives 1,334 ft² net for this house.
How many pieces of lap siding?
210 pieces of 12 ft at 7 inch exposure for this house; 245 at 6 inches and 184 at 8 inches.
How much house wrap do I need?
2 rolls of 9 × 100 ft, with 10% for laps. It goes under the siding, over the sheathing.
Do gables count?
Yes: they are triangles of wall. Two gables 28 ft wide and 8 ft high add 224 ft² to this house.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.