How to Calculate the Number of Siding Packs Needed to Redo a House Exterior

Redoing your home’s exterior siding is a major project that enhances the appearance, protects the structure, and improves energy efficiency. To plan properly, you need to know how many packs of siding will be required. Here’s a clear guide to help you calculate it yourself.

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1. Measure the Wall Surface Area

Start by measuring each wall of the house: the width and height, in feet (ft). Multiply these two values to get the wall area in square feet (sq. ft).

For example, a wall that’s 30 ft wide and 10 ft high gives you 300 sq. ft.

Do this calculation for each wall:

• Front wall: 30 ft × 10 ft = 300 sq. ft

• Back wall: 30 ft × 10 ft = 300 sq. ft

• Left wall: 24 ft × 10 ft = 240 sq. ft

• Right wall: 24 ft × 10 ft = 240 sq. ft
  Total gross area: 1,080 sq. ft

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2. Subtract Openings

Next, calculate the surface area of windows and doors to subtract from the total area.

For example:

• 1 door, 3 ft × 7 ft = 21 sq. ft

• 5 windows, 3 ft × 4 ft = 12 sq. ft each → 60 sq. ft total
  Total openings: 81 sq. ft
  Net surface area to cover: 1,080 sq. ft – 81 sq. ft = 999 sq. ft

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3. Add a Waste Margin

Add about 10% to 15% to compensate for cuts and fitting adjustments.

If you apply a 10% margin:
999 sq. ft × 1.10 = 1,098.9 sq. ft, which you can round up to 1,100 sq. ft

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4. Calculate the Number of Packs Needed

Check how many square feet are covered by one pack of your chosen siding.
For example, one pack of CanExel Ridgewood D5 covers 44 sq. ft.
Divide the total surface area by the coverage per pack:

1,100 sq. ft ÷ 44 sq. ft = 25 packs

Always round up to the next whole number.
You’ll therefore need 25 packs.

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Summary

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Conclusion

By taking the time to measure accurately and account for waste, you can avoid surprises and ensure a well-planned siding project. It’s also wise to buy one or two extra packs to cover potential repairs or installation errors.