Renovations are part of any property ownership journey. There just comes a point when you need to make additions here and there to maintain the quality of your home. These constructions require financing on your end, though, that’s why estimating materials for a siding installation project requires careful planning and precise measurements. Neither overspending nor being short on resources will be beneficial.
Whether working on a new construction or a renovation project, accurate calculations help prevent costly overruns and material shortages during installation. This comprehensive guide will help property owners and contractors understand the essential steps in calculating siding materials effectively.
Initial Assessment and Planning
Before doing anything, it’s important to take a look at the current situation of your property. How is it now and what do you have in mind regarding improvement? Perhaps there might be parts that have started rotting, damage caused by moisture, and other concerns that need to be looked into. Siding contractors Madison WI and other contractors in the US want what’s best for you, so they take your vision into consideration and give their informed opinion about your home’s exterior.
Having an idea of how big of a project this siding installation would be gives you a ballpark figure of the budget and materials you’ll need. At the same time, having another person besides you see the current state of the structure helps you objectively identify areas requiring special attention or damaged sections that may need repair before installation begins.
Basic Wall Calculations
One of the primary steps you can do in estimating siding materials is by measuring the area that’ll be covered by siding. Wall measurements are the backbone for the whole material estimation because this will serve as the canvas for the project.
Professional contractors often create detailed sketches of each wall section, noting dimensions and any special considerations that might affect material requirements. The siding area is usually calculated by measuring the width and height of each wall, then multiplying these dimensions to get the area in square feet.
Accounting for Openings
Add up the square footage of all walls to get the total area that needs siding, but subtract the square footage of windows, doors, and any other areas that won’t need siding. This ensures that the material estimate focuses solely on the areas that’ll be covered. Keep some of these deductions minimal, as cuts around openings will require additional material.
Understanding how to properly account for openings can significantly impact material calculations. Experienced installers know that while openings reduce the overall square footage, the cutting and fitting required around these areas often necessitates additional material to ensure proper installation and aesthetic appeal.
Special Architectural Features
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to siding installation, especially because different structures call for different needs. Complex architectural elements require special attention. When dealing with dormers, bay windows, curved walls, gables, and turrets, each of these features needs separate calculations and often requires additional material due to more complex cutting and fitting requirements.
As a rule of thumb, ask yourself whether you’ll be fine with basic renovation or want added features. You may benefit from special architectural elements, but this may be an added cost and complexity to your siding installation. These elements often require specialized cutting techniques and additional material to ensure proper coverage and water protection while maintaining visual appeal.
Determine the Type of Siding Material
Choosing the right siding material is essential, as different materials come with unique size specifications, costs, and installation requirements. For instance, vinyl siding is one of the most common exterior sidings for buildings because of its low cost and standard panel sizes, typically covering between 8 and 12 square feet per panel, which simplifies calculations.
Fiber cement siding, known for its durability, is heavier and generally more costly than vinyl. It usually comes in planks or panels of different sizes, so carefully calculating the number of pieces needed is important. Wood siding provides a natural, traditional look and can be installed in panels, shingles, or planks. The size and shape of the wood siding material will influence the number of pieces required for complete coverage.
No matter which material to use, be sure it’s something you’ll utilize efficiently. You don’t want to be in a situation wherein you decide to choose a specific material and use a completely different one.
Conclusion
Accurate material estimation is fundamental to a successful siding project. It takes time, effort, and resources to pull off such an undertaking, and you want to be able to maximize every ounce of sweat you put on it. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
