Material Shopping List
- Siding— cartons (— squares)
- Starter strip—
- J-channel—
- Outside corners—
- Inside corners—
- Soffit / fascia tie-inssee soffit + fascia calcs
- Estimated siding cost—
Siding Material Comparison
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | Cheapest, low maintenance, fades over time, easy DIY |
| Fiber cement | Durable, fire and rot resistant, heavier, paintable, mid-high cost |
| Wood | Classic look, needs regular paint or stain, can rot or attract pests |
| Engineered wood | Wood look, lighter and more stable than solid wood, mid cost |
| Metal | Steel or aluminum, very durable, modern look, can dent |
| Board and batten | Vertical boards with battens over seams, farmhouse style |
Siding Waste Guide
| Walls | Waste factor |
|---|---|
| Simple, mostly rectangular | 5% |
| Normal project | 10% |
| Many gables, angles, cuts | 15% |
How Much Siding Do I Need?
Siding is bought by the carton or square, so the useful answer is a carton count, not a bare square footage. Start from the wall area, either entered directly or as the house perimeter times the wall height, add the gable triangles, subtract large openings, then add a waste factor for cuts. Divide the result by the coverage of one carton and round up. This calculator runs that whole chain and then builds the rest of the order, including starter strip, J-channel, corner posts, and a cost estimate, so you leave with a real shopping list.
What Is a Siding Square?
A square is 100 square feet of wall coverage, the same unit used in roofing. Siding is often rated and sold by the square, and a carton or box covers a set number of squares depending on the product, commonly one to two squares. Knowing your wall area in squares makes it easy to compare products and to convert to cartons: divide the waste-adjusted area by 100 for squares, then divide by the carton coverage for the carton count.
Vinyl vs Fiber Cement vs Wood
Vinyl is the budget choice: inexpensive, light, and low maintenance, though it can fade and looks less premium. Fiber cement, such as the well-known brands, is more durable, fire and rot resistant, and holds paint well, but it is heavier, costs more, and is harder to cut. Wood gives the most authentic look and is easy to work, but it demands regular painting or staining and can rot or attract insects if neglected. Engineered wood splits the difference with a wood look and better stability, and metal offers maximum durability. Match the material to your budget and how much upkeep you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet in a square? One square equals 100 square feet of coverage.
Do I subtract windows and doors? Deduct large openings like garage doors and picture windows; small windows are often left in as a safety margin.
How much waste should I add? About 5 percent for simple walls, 10 percent for a normal job, and 15 percent for many gables and angled cuts.
What trim do I need? Starter strip along the bottom, J-channel around windows, doors, and edges, plus outside and inside corner posts.