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How to Measure for Vinyl Siding
Knowing how much vinyl siding you will need is easy to calculate. All you need are a few simple figures obtained from measuring your home. Follow the steps below and use the formulas to determine the right quantity of each vinyl siding component.

This picture demonstrates where the components of our vinyl siding are placed on a standard home. See below for step-by-step help in determining what is required to cover your home.

Other vinyl siding components not shown on this page may be available. Please contact us.
Step 1: Make simple drawings of your home showing all sides. Measure the height at the corner (most mobile home exterior walls are 8' tall) and multiply by the width to obtain the surface area of each side.

Example: For a 16' x 76' size home: Two sides measuring 16' wide x 8' tall=128 sq. ft each, and two sides measuring 76' wide x 8' tall= 608 sq. ft. each. 128 + 128 + 608 + 608= 1,472 sq. ft.

Step 2: Measure gables, dormers and any other area not included by the sides of your home. For each triangular shaped area, measure from base to top, then multiply by 1/2 the base length. Example: Two triangles are 10' tall, 10' wide: (10 x 10/2) x 2 = 100 sq. ft.
Step 3: Measure the windows and doors, and any other area that will not be covered by siding. Multiply width by height for each area and add together. Example: Two doors measuring 36" x 80" each, and 11 windows measuring 30" x 40" each= (3' x 6.5') x 2 plus (2.5' x 3.33') x 11= 130.52 sq. ft.

Step 4: Add your total square feet from Steps 1 and 2 together, then subtract the total from Step 3. Example: 1,472 sq. ft (step 1) + 100 sq. ft (step 2) minus 130.52 sq. ft (step 3)= 1,441.48 square feet

Step 5: To determine the amount of siding squares and backing board needed (a square is equivalent to 100 square feet) divide your step 4 total by 100. Example 1,441.48/ 100= 14.42 Squares needed. Go here for your choice of siding panel. Go here for backing board.
Step 6: Measure the under-eave areas. Multiply length by width for each overhang and add together. Example: Two overhangs measure 76' x 18", and four overhangs measure 10' x 18". (76' x 1.5') x 2 and (10 x 1.5') x 4= 288 sq. ft.

Step 7: To determine the number of squares of soffit panels required, divide the step 6 total by 100. Example: 288 sq. ft divided by 100= 2.88 squares needed. Note: You may decided to cover the triangular areas at the ends of your home with soffit as well. If so, resort to Step 2 for measuring these areas, add your total to Step 6 and repeat step 7.

Go here for your choice of soffit paneling.
Step 8: Familiarize yourself with the trim items and measure the total linear feet required for each item. Here is a listing of each trim piece, where it is used, how much is needed according to our sample measurements:

Undersill Trim: Used under roof edges, and the bottom edge of windows. For our example home: Total overhang 192 LF + total windows 27.5 LF= 219.5 divided by 12' lengths = 18.29 pieces required.

Outside Corner Trim: Used at each vertical outside corner of the home. For our example home: 4 pieces required.

Inside Corner Trim: Used at each inside vertical corner of the home. For our example home: None required.

 

Fascia: Used under all overhangs. We are sorry, but we do not have fascia trim available, however most mobile homes will not need it.

 Aluminum Starter Strip: Used along bottom of all siding walls. For our example home: 76+76+16+16= 184 LF divided by 10' length= 18.4 pieces required.

F-Trim: Used to trim front of soffit panels. For our example home: Front of two 76' overhangs plus 2- 10' overhangs= (76 x 2) +(10 x 4) = 192 LF divided by 12'=  16 pieces required.

J-Trim: Used to trim back of soffit panels, around sides and tops of doors and windows, gables and dormers. For our example home: 192 LF to trim back of soffit plus 32.66 LF to trim two doors plus 100.83 LF to trim 11 windows= 325.49 LF divided by 12'= 27.12 pieces required.

Step 9: List the components with the quantities required and add 10% to each quantity. You should always add 10% to your material quantities to account for waste and/or miscalculation! Here is a chart using the results of our example home.
Materials Piece Count 10% Addition Final Piece Count
Siding Panels (Steps 1-5) 14.42 Squares 1.44 Squares 16 Squares
Soffit Panels (Steps 6-7) 2.88 Squares .29 Squares 3.2 Squares
Foam Backing (Steps 1-5) 14.42 Squares 1.44 Squares 16 Squares
Undersill Trim 18.29 Pieces 1.83 Pieces 20 Pieces
Outside Corner Trim 4 Pieces N/A 4 Pieces
Inside Corner Trim 0 Pieces N/A 0 Pieces
Aluminum Starter Strip 18.4 Pieces 1.84 Pieces 21 Pieces
F-Trim 16 Pieces 1.6 Pieces 18 Pieces
J-Trim 27.12 Pieces 2.7 Pieces 30 Pieces
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