How to Estimate Clapboard Siding
Clapboard siding was originally designed to allow rain to slide down the side of a home in inclement weather. It is made from wedge shaped wood pieces that overlap each other. Clapboard siding is also referred to as lap, bevel or weatherboard siding.
- Draw an outline of the home. Stick to drawing basic shapes like squares, rectangles or triangles to represent the walls of the home. To estimate the entire surface area that needs covered, draw an outline of each side of the home. Make sure that all sides of any dormer windows or other features that extend from the home are represented.
- Measure the wall for all of the rectangle and square shapes of the home. Measure the window peaks and triangle shapes on the home. Measure the walls that make up the protrusions from the home and write all of the measurements on the outline.
- Measure the windows and doors. Write these measurements on your outline also so that you can subtract them from your total estimation.
- Calculate the area of the home. Calculate the area of the square and rectangle shapes by multiplying width by height. Calculate the area of triangle shapes by multiplying length by height (at the highest point of the triangle) and dividing it by two. Calculate the area of the windows and doors so that their area can be properly deducted from the total.
- Combine the measurements for all of the walls. This total represents the area of the walls of the home. Subtract the area of the windows and doors. The resulting number is the square feet of siding needed.
- Add 20 percent of this amount for any miscalculations or damaged boards. The final measurement is equal to the square feet of clapboard siding you need to purchase to side your home.