When planning to re-side your home, accurate measurement is the cornerstone of a successful project. Siding is commonly sold in “squares,” with each square covering 100 square feet of wall surface. Therefore, correctly calculating the square footage of your home’s exterior is the crucial first step. This guide provides a detailed roadmap to measure for siding, ensuring you purchase the right amount of materials while managing costs efficiently.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Measure for Siding
- Measure Each Wall: Start by measuring the height and width of each exterior wall. Multiply these numbers to get the square footage for each wall.
- Account for Windows and Doors: Measure the height and width of all windows and doors. Subtract their total square footage from the wall measurements to avoid overestimating the amount of siding required.
- Measure Gables and Dormers: For triangular areas like gables, measure the height from the base to the peak and the base width. The area of a triangle is 0.5 x base x height. Add these areas to your total square footage.
- Include Additional Features: Don’t forget to measure other protruding or recessed features which require siding.
- Calculate the Total Area: Add up all the areas you’ve measured, ensuring to subtract the spaces for windows and doors, to get your total square footage.
- Convert to Squares: Divide the total square footage by 100 to determine how many squares of siding you will need. It’s advisable to add 5-10% extra material to account for cutting waste and potential measurement errors.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating Materials: Always round up your measurements and purchase a bit more material than your calculations suggest. This accounts for waste and ensures you won’t run short during installation.
- Skipping Professional Advice: While DIY measurements can give you a rough estimate, it’s best to have a professional confirm these measurements before ordering your siding. This helps ensure accuracy and saves cost on potential errors.
Why It’s Best to Reach Out to Craftsman’s Choice
While measuring for siding might seem straightforward, the unique architectural features of each home can introduce complexities that aren’t obvious at first glance. Reaching out to Craftsman’s Choice can help avoid common pitfalls by ensuring that every aspect of your home’s exterior is thoroughly considered. With professional insight, you receive detailed consultations and custom recommendations tailored specifically to your property’s requirements, helping you sidestep expensive errors in your renovation project.
In Summary
Properly measuring for siding is a vital step in your home renovation project that ensures you purchase the correct amount of materials while staying on budget. By following the detailed steps outlined, homeowners can effectively prepare for their siding projects.
If you need assistance or have any questions about how to measure for siding, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to support and guide you through every aspect of the process.
