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| This builder installed lathe over existing bevelled siding to give the new Xtra Thick Siding a consistent bearing surface. |
How To Estimate the Cost of Siding and How To Apply It to Your Home
How much siding do I need?
You need to know the actual square footage of wall to be covered. That’s the actual area of the walls less the area of the windows and doors. Builders tend to figure walls with no openings to allow for waste. Since our siding is already trimmed, that’s not necessary. Multiply the actual square footage times 1.15 for 11-inch siding, 1.5 for 8-inch siding, 1.75 for 7 3/8-inch siding, 2.0 for 6-inch siding, 2.4 for 5-inch siding. This gives you the linear feet required plus an allowance for about 5% waste. We’d be happy to help you calculate how much siding you need if you send us a set of plan elevations or a sketch of your home.
Siding Application
Siding really needs a solid, flat surface like plywood or waferboard as backing. Most people use coated, or plated finish nails and countersink the head slightly. Ring shanked nails and nail guns work well. A nail long enough to penetrate the thickest part of the siding and your sheathing should be about right. Hit studs when possible and nail directly through the thick part of the siding. Use a random nailing pattern and use the curvature of the siding to help hide the nails by toe nailing upwards slightly through the bottom of the curvature and downwards slightly on the upper curvature. When you apply finish, the nail holes become almost invisible.
Finishing Siding
The long-term beauty of wood siding and the amount of maintenance required depend largely on the finish you choose and how well it is applied. Applying a protective finish to both siding surfaces prior to installation protects the wood and saves lots of trips up and down the ladder.