Reference tables
Look-up charts built from stable wall/gable-area geometry and labeled industry planning typicals — siding coverage & exposure per square by material, waste factor by house layout, standard door/window/garage deductions, cost-per-square-foot bands by material, and siding lifespan by material.
Typical published planning values — NOT a certified spec or professional advice. Coverage and exposure vary by product and installation; confirm on the manufacturer’s installation instructions and stated coverage. Moisture, flashing, sheathing and pre-1978 lead paint on old siding are a pro’s call — follow the manufacturer’s instructions, local code and the EPA RRP rule and hire a certified firm; lead-paint abatement, structural and moisture repairs and code certification are not engineered here.
Siding coverage / exposure per square by materialSiding coverage chart by material: vinyl double-4 about 200 sq ft per box, cedar shingle about 25 sq ft per bundle, fiber cement / James Hardie 100 per square.Siding waste factor by house layoutThe signature companion: LABELED waste factor by house layout — ~10% simple rectangle, 10–12% average, 12–15% complex, 15%+ shakes/diagonal.Standard door, window & garage-door area deductionsLABELED standard opening area deductions — door ≈ 21 sq ft, window ≈ 15, patio door ≈ 40, single garage ≈ 63, double garage ≈ 112.Installed siding cost-per-square-foot bands by materialLABELED installed $/sq ft siding planning bands by material (vinyl, engineered wood, aluminum, steel, wood/cedar, fiber cement).Siding lifespan (years) by materialLABELED typical siding lifespan by material — vinyl & aluminum ~20–40 yr, engineered wood ~20–30, fiber cement ~30–50, steel ~40+.