Measure twice; cut once.
Vinyl siding is a durable, relatively inexpensive exterior cladding material. Installing it is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project. Accurate measuring and estimating are key elements of a successful, cost efficient siding job. Ordering either too much or too little siding both waste time and money through extra trips to the store, time spent waiting for deliveries and unused material. Accurately measuring a house for vinyl siding requires basic tools and only basic mechanical and mathematical skill, but can save a lot of money and prevent a lot of frustration.
Instructions
1. Measure the length and height of each side of the house. Measure the height from the foundation to the eaves (where the roof meets the wall). Measure stories above the first by measuring from floor to ceiling, inside the house.
2. Multiply each side's length by its height to find its total area. Measure the length and height of any gables, multiply length by height and multiply the product by 1/2 for find the total gable area. Add the side and gable totals to find the total surface area of the house.
3. Divide the home's total surface area by 100 to determine the number of squares (10 foot by 10 foot areas) of siding needed.
4. Add the total lengths used to measure for area to order starter strips. Starter strips are the aluminum strips to which the first course of siding is attached. Measure around all window and door openings. Add the total to find the amount of j-channel needed. J-channel is vinyl nailed around windows and doors to cover the cut ends of the siding panels.
5. Count and add the lengths of all inside corners and divide the total by 10 to yield total vinyl inside corner posts needed. Inside corner posts cover the cut ends of siding panels meeting in interior corners.
6. Measure and add the lengths of all outside corners and divide the total by 10 to yield total vinyl outside corner posts needed. Outside corner posts cover the cut ends of siding panels meeting at outside corners.
7. Count all exterior electrical outlets, switches, vents, faucets and light fixtures and order the appropriate vinyl accessories.
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