Once you’ve chosen a color for your siding, you need to do the math and find out how much you’ll need. Having an idea on how contractors calculate the amount of siding needed and the factors they take into account can help you make an informed decision on future purchases and plan your budget accordingly.
UHQ Construction, a top roof repair contractor in the state, lists and elaborates on these factors below.
The Complexity of the Design Layout
The amount of siding for uniform design layouts made of just one material is easier to calculate. That’s because, in this case, siding panels can simply be butted together. And since there’s no overlap, there will be fewer wasted materials.
On the other hand, a complex design layout is usually composed of a variety of siding materials. And since different types of siding are manufactured using varying dimensions, there may be considerable overlap that would increase the total amount needed.
Trim
The trim prevents insects from entering the underlayers of your siding. Making room for the trim would lessen the amount of siding needed, although not by much; contractors usually leave a tiny gap between the trim and the siding and seal the space with caulk.
Windows and Doors
The square footage of your doors and windows are taken into account during the calculations, so the estimate will always be higher than the actual amount needed. No need to worry, though; contractors will prioritize using the waste materials first, and you can return any leftover material for a refund.
Considering the technical nature of and the precise calculations needed in siding installation, it would be best to leave this kind of work to the professionals. Just make sure to hire a certified contractor.
UHQ Construction, an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, offers siding installation and exterior services. To get a free estimate, call (317) 744-1133 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Zionsville, IN.
