{
  "slug": "siding",
  "title": "Siding Calculator",
  "heading": "Siding Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/siding",
  "summary": "Squares and cost of siding for an exterior.",
  "description": "Siding is also sold by the square. Subtract window and door openings, but keep the waste allowance high — corners and trim eat material fast.",
  "formula": "Net wall area = Perimeter × Height − openings. Squares = Area ÷ 100, plus waste.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=siding",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "perimeter",
      "label": "Building perimeter",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 136,
      "unit": "ft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "height",
      "label": "Wall height",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "ft",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "openings",
      "label": "Window and door area",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 220,
      "unit": "sq ft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "price",
      "label": "Siding per square",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 260,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "waste",
      "label": "Waste allowance",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": "Cuts, breakage, and mistakes. 10% is standard.",
      "default": 10,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 40
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "squares",
      "label": "Siding squares",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "cost",
      "label": "Material cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "net",
      "label": "Net wall area (sq ft)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "perSqFt",
      "label": "Cost per sq ft",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Building perimeter: 136 ft",
      "Wall height: 18 ft",
      "Window and door area: 220 sq ft",
      "Siding per square: 260 $",
      "Waste allowance: 10 %"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Siding squares: 24.6",
      "Material cost: $6,372.08",
      "Net wall area (sq ft): 2,228",
      "Cost per sq ft: $2.86"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter building perimeter (ft).",
      "Enter wall height (ft).",
      "Enter window and door area (sq ft).",
      "Enter siding per square ($).",
      "Enter waste allowance (%) — Cuts, breakage, and mistakes. 10% is standard..",
      "Read your siding squares on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "perimeter": 82,
        "height": 18,
        "openings": 130,
        "price": 160,
        "waste": 6
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "perimeter": 136,
        "height": 18,
        "openings": 220,
        "price": 260,
        "waste": 10
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "perimeter": 218,
        "height": 18,
        "openings": 350,
        "price": 420,
        "waste": 16
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How does the siding calculator work?",
      "a": "Siding is also sold by the square. Subtract window and door openings, but keep the waste allowance high — corners and trim eat material fast. The underlying maths is: Net wall area = Perimeter × Height − openings. Squares = Area ÷ 100, plus waste."
    },
    {
      "q": "What do I need to enter?",
      "a": "5 values: building perimeter, wall height, window and door area, siding per square, and waste allowance. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does the siding squares result mean?",
      "a": "It is returned as a decimal number and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?",
      "a": "Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser."
    },
    {
      "q": "How accurate is the result?",
      "a": "It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary."
    },
    {
      "q": "Who is this tool for?",
      "a": "It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/roofing",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/paint",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/insulation"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Siding Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/siding)"
}