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Free & Instant Estimate

Siding
Calculator

Calculate your house siding square footage, squares needed, and get instant cost estimates for vinyl, Hardie board, wood lap, LP SmartSide, and metal siding.

100% Free5 Material TypesInstant Results
House Dimensions
Wall Height: 9 ft
8 ft10 ft12 ft
Number of Stories
Openings
Gable Area (optional)
Siding Material

Get Free siding installation Quotes

Connect with top-rated local professionals. No obligation.

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How It Works

Get your siding estimate in three simple steps.

Enter House Dimensions

Input your house length, width, wall height, and number of stories. Add gable area if applicable.

Set Doors & Windows

Specify the number of doors and windows to subtract from the total wall area for an accurate net siding calculation.

Compare Material Costs

Choose your siding material and instantly see squares needed, cost range, and a side-by-side comparison of all five material types.

Siding Material Cost Comparison (2026)

Typical installed cost-per-square ranges for the most popular house siding materials.

MaterialLow ($/sq)High ($/sq)Lifespan
Vinyl$300$70020-30 yrs
Fiber Cement (Hardie Board)$500$1,00030-50 yrs
Wood (Lap)$600$1,20020-40 yrs
Engineered Wood (LP SmartSide)$400$80030+ yrs
Metal / Steel$500$1,10040-70 yrs

Prices per square (100 sqft) include material and professional installation. Actual costs vary by location, home height, existing siding removal, and trim complexity.

Key Factors That Affect Siding Cost

Your final siding price depends on more than just material choice. Keep these variables in mind when budgeting your project.

Home Size & Stories

Multi-story homes require scaffolding and more labor, increasing installation costs by 15-25% per additional story.

Old Siding Removal

Stripping existing siding adds $1,000-$3,000+ depending on the material. Some new siding can be installed over old if the sheathing is sound.

Trim & Accent Work

Corner boards, window and door trim, soffits, and fascia add 10-20% to the total project cost beyond the siding itself.

Geographic Location

Labor rates vary significantly by region. Coastal and urban areas typically run 20-40% higher than rural markets.

Insulation & Housewrap

Adding insulated sheathing or upgraded housewrap improves energy efficiency but adds $1-$3 per square foot to the project.

Permits & Season

Building permits add $200-$500. Scheduling in the off-season (fall/winter) may offer 10-15% contractor discounts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about siding square footage, materials, and costs answered.

Measure the length and width of your house in feet. Multiply the perimeter (2 x length + 2 x width) by the wall height to get gross wall area. Subtract approximately 21 square feet per door and 15 square feet per standard window. Add any gable area. Divide the net area by 100 to get the number of siding squares you need to order.
A siding square is a unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet of siding coverage. Contractors and suppliers price siding materials per square. For example, if your house needs 1,500 square feet of siding, you would order 15 squares.
Hardie plank (fiber cement) siding typically costs $500 to $1,000 per square (100 sqft) fully installed, or roughly $5 to $10 per square foot. The final price depends on your region, the specific Hardie Board product line, trim complexity, and whether old siding needs removal.
Yes. Vinyl siding runs $300 to $700 per square installed, while fiber cement (Hardie Board) ranges from $500 to $1,000 per square. However, fiber cement lasts 30-50 years vs. 20-30 for vinyl and offers superior fire resistance, impact resistance, and resale value.
LP SmartSide (engineered wood) costs $400 to $800 per square installed, making it more affordable than Hardie Board ($500-$1,000). LP SmartSide is lighter and easier to install but is a treated wood product, while Hardie Board is cement-based. Both carry 30+ year warranties and resist rot and termites.
Measure the base width and peak height of each gable triangle. The area of a triangle is (base x height) / 2. Add all gable areas together and enter the total in the calculator. For a typical gable-end house, each gable is roughly 60-120 square feet depending on roof pitch.
Board and batten siding can be achieved with vinyl, fiber cement, engineered wood, or real wood. Vinyl board and batten panels are the most affordable ($300-$700/sq), while fiber cement and engineered wood provide a more authentic look with better durability. Real wood board and batten costs $600-$1,200 per square but delivers the most traditional appearance.
Yes. Most contractors recommend ordering 10% extra siding to account for cutting waste, pattern matching, and damaged pieces during installation. Our calculator rounds squares up to whole numbers, which typically builds in a small waste buffer. For complex layouts with many corners and cutouts, consider adding an additional 5-10%.

Also updating your soffit and fascia?

Use our Soffit Calculator to estimate panels, venting, and material costs for your eave and overhang areas.

Soffit Calculator

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