Siding isn’t just about curb appeal. The protective shield guards your home against harsh elements and plays a significant role in insulation. Accurately measuring and calculating the amount of siding you need is vital. That’s where we come in. In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the whole process, from the basic principles of measurement to choosing the right amount of siding. So, grab your tape measure, and let’s get started!
Necessary Tools
Let’s roll up our sleeves and prepare for the task at hand. It’s just like hosting a successful party; the secret lies in the prep work! We will need some essential tools and materials to complete this job.
- Tape measure
First up, a trusty tape measure – your new best friend for the day. This little guy will help you measure your mobile home’s length, width, and height. We’re talking precise figures here. No guesstimations allowed!
- Notepad and pen
Next in line, we have a notepad and pen, or even your smartphone will work. The key is to have something where you can jot down your measurements. You don’t want to measure twice because you can’t remember if the length was 50 feet or 51, right?
- Calculator
Now, onto a calculator. Yes, the one on your phone will work just fine. It will help us in crunching those numbers, and believe me. It’s easier than trying to do it all in your head!
- Ladder
Don’t forget a ladder. Some areas of your mobile home might be out of reach, and we want to ensure you’re safe while playing the part of a human measuring tape.
There you have it! With these tools and materials, you can kick off your siding project. Let’s dive into the world of measurements next!
Step-by-Step Process to Measure Your Mobile Home for Siding
So, let’s get started with this step-by-step guide on measuring your mobile home for siding. It’s a simple process, but each step is crucial. Trust me, once you’ve got it, you can size up any home like a pro!
Step 1: Measure Each Side
Grab your tape measure and start with the longest side of your mobile home. Take measurements for both length and height. And remember, every side of your mobile home may be different, so make sure you measure each one separately. No taking shortcuts here!
Step 2: Calculate the Area for Each Side
Now, it’s time for some math, but don’t worry. It’s straightforward. Multiply the length by the width (or height) of each side to calculate the square footage. It will give you the surface area for each side of your mobile home.
Step 3: Total Area
Add together all the surface areas you calculated. This total number gives you the square footage of your mobile home’s entire exterior.
Step 4: Subtract Doors and Windows
Don’t forget about the doors and windows! Measure the length and width of each one, calculate their area, and add them up. Subtract this total from your overall square footage. After all, we’re not trying to side over those, right?
Step 5: Add Waste Factor
We all make mistakes, and that’s where the waste factor comes in. To give yourself a buffer for any errors, cutting, or fitting, add a 10% waste factor to your total. It means you’ll multiply the total square footage (after subtracting the windows and doors) by 1.10.
Step 6: Total Siding Needed
This is it! Your final number is the square footage of siding you need for your mobile home.
Keep in mind that this formula works for standard shapes. Suppose your mobile home has unique architectural features or irregularities. In that case, you may need to do a bit more detailed measuring and calculations. But for the most part, this six-step formula will get you where you need to go. Let’s get measuring!
How to Calculate Siding Square Footage
Fantastic job on the measuring! Let’s go through two examples using our step-by-step process for two common mobile home sizes – a 14×70 and a 16×80. Remember, we’ll ignore windows and doors for simplicity. Always subtract those from your total area for an actual project.
Example 1: 14×70 Mobile Home
- Measure each side of the home. In this case, you’ve got two sides 14 feet wide and 70 feet long and two sides 14 feet wide and 10 feet high.
- Calculate the area for each side (length x width). For the long sides, that’s 14×70 = 980 square feet each. For the shorter sides, 14×10 = 140 square feet each.
- Add all these numbers together: 980 (side 1) + 980 (side 2) + 140 (side 3) + 140 (side 4) = 2240 square feet.
- Now, add a 10% waste factor: 2240 x 0.10 = 224 square feet.
Add the waste factor to your total area: 2240 + 224 = 2464 square feet. That’s how much siding you’d need for a 14×70 mobile home.
Example 2: 16×80 Mobile Home
- Measure each side. You’ve got two sides 16 feet wide and 80 feet long and two sides 16 feet wide and 10 feet high.
- Calculate the area for each side (length x width). For the long sides, that’s 16×80 = 1280 square feet each. For the shorter sides, 16×10 = 160 square feet each.
- Add all these numbers together: 1280 (side 1) + 1280 (side 2) + 160 (side 3) + 160 (side 4) = 2880 square feet.
- Now, add a 10% waste factor: 2880 x 0.10 = 288 square feet.
Add the waste factor to your total area: 2880 + 288 = 3168 square feet. That’s how much siding you’d need for a 16×80 mobile home.
Remember, these are simple examples, and don’t consider windows, doors, or any unique features of your home. Always subtract those areas from your calculations in a real-life scenario. Next, let’s discuss choosing the right amount of siding based on these numbers.
Choosing the Right Amount of Siding
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of choosing the right amount of siding for your mobile home. Remember those total square footage numbers we calculated for the 14×70 and 16×80 mobile homes? We will use those to determine how much siding you need to purchase.
Before we start, let’s remember a box of vinyl siding typically covers about 200 square feet, and a box of metal siding generally covers 160 square feet. However, this can vary by manufacturer and style, so always double-check!
14×70 Mobile Home
You’ve got a total of 2464 square feet to cover for this home. So here’s how it works:
- Vinyl Siding
Take the 2464 square feet and divide it by 200 square feet (which is what one box covers), and you’ll get 12.32 boxes. But wait, you can’t buy 0.32 of a box! So, always round up. That means you’ll need to purchase 13 boxes of vinyl siding.
- Metal Siding
Again, take the 2464 square feet, but this time, divide it by 160 square feet (which is what one box of metal siding covers). It gives you about 15.4 boxes. And again, round up to the nearest whole box. So, you’ll need 16 boxes of metal siding.
16×80 Mobile Home
You have a total of 3168 square feet for this larger home.
- Vinyl Siding
Divide the 3168 square feet by 200 square feet (one box), and you’ll get 15.84 boxes. You’ll round this up and purchase 16 boxes of vinyl siding.
- Metal Siding
And finally, divide the 3168 square feet by 160 square feet (one box of metal siding), and you’ll get about 19.8 boxes. Once you round up, you’ll be buying 20 boxes of metal siding.
These are estimates, but they provide a good ballpark figure. Remember, having a bit extra is always better than running out halfway through!
Conclusion
Well, look at you! From mastering the basics of measurement to crunching the numbers like a pro, you’ve covered some serious ground in the world of siding. No more guessing games or guesstimates for you. With this knowledge, you’re ready to order the perfect amount of siding for your mobile home. Thank you for reading!
