Estimate the cost of your siding project based on the size of your home and material choices.
Enter as a whole number (e.g., 10 for 10%)
Understanding Your Siding Cost Estimate
This calculator provides an estimated cost for your home siding project. It takes into account the dimensions of your home, areas that don't require siding (doors, windows), the cost of your chosen siding material, installation expenses, and an allowance for material waste.
How the Calculation Works:
The core of the calculation involves determining the total surface area of your home's walls that needs to be covered by siding. This is broken down into the following steps:
Calculate Wall Surface Area: We first calculate the area of the rectangular walls. This is done by summing the perimeters of the house and multiplying by the average wall height. If you have gables, we add the area of those as well.
Rectangular Wall Area = (2 * House Width + 2 * House Depth) * House Height
Gable Area = (House Width * Gable Height) / 2 (assuming two simple triangular gables on opposite ends. For more complex shapes, this is an approximation.)
Total Wall Area = Rectangular Wall Area + Gable Area
Subtract Non-Sided Areas: The area occupied by doors and windows does not require siding, so these are subtracted from the total wall area.
Net Siding Area = Total Wall Area – Total Door Area – Total Window Area
Account for Waste: Siding installation often requires cutting, which results in some material waste. A waste factor (typically 10-15%) is added to the net siding area to ensure you purchase enough material.
Siding Needed = Net Siding Area * (1 + Waste Factor / 100)
Calculate Total Cost: The final cost is determined by adding the cost of the siding material and the installation cost, both based on the calculated siding needed.
Material Cost = Siding Needed * Siding Material Cost per Sq Ft
Installation Cost = Siding Needed * Installation Cost per Sq Ft
Total Estimated Cost = Material Cost + Installation Cost
Factors Influencing Siding Costs:
Siding Material: The type of siding you choose (vinyl, fiber cement, wood, metal) significantly impacts the per-square-foot cost. This calculator uses your input for material cost.
Installation Complexity: The shape of your home, the number of corners, and the height of the walls can affect labor costs.
Labor Rates: Local labor costs vary widely by region.
Additional Features: Costs for trim, soffit, fascia, and labor for intricate details are not explicitly included in this basic calculator but are often part of a full siding project quote.
Site Conditions: Accessibility to the work area and any necessary preparation (like removing old siding) can add to the overall expense.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for budgeting purposes only. Actual costs may vary. For an accurate quote, please consult with professional siding contractors.
function calculateSidingPrice() {
var houseWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("houseWidth").value);
var houseHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("houseHeight").value);
var gableHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gableHeight").value);
var doorArea = parseFloat(document.getElementById("doorArea").value);
var windowArea = parseFloat(document.getElementById("windowArea").value);
var sidingCostPerSqFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById("sidingCostPerSqFt").value);
var installationCostPerSqFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById("installationCostPerSqFt").value);
var wasteFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById("wasteFactor").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
// Input validation
if (isNaN(houseWidth) || houseWidth <= 0 ||
isNaN(houseHeight) || houseHeight <= 0 ||
isNaN(gableHeight) || gableHeight < 0 || // Gable height can be 0 if not applicable
isNaN(doorArea) || doorArea < 0 || // Door/window area can be 0
isNaN(windowArea) || windowArea < 0 ||
isNaN(sidingCostPerSqFt) || sidingCostPerSqFt < 0 ||
isNaN(installationCostPerSqFt) || installationCostPerSqFt < 0 ||
isNaN(wasteFactor) || wasteFactor < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
// Calculate rectangular wall area (assuming a simple rectangular footprint for simplicity)
// Note: This assumes the 'houseWidth' is one side, and the 'depth' is implicitly the same if not provided, or we can assume a square base if only width is given.
// For a more accurate calculator, 'houseDepth' would be a separate input.
// For this example, we'll assume the 'houseWidth' refers to the length of one side, and if no depth is given, we'll assume it's also 'houseWidth' (a square base).
// A more robust approach might require a 'house footprint' input or a more complex geometry.
// For this calculator, let's re-interpret 'houseWidth' as 'house length' and implicitly need a 'house depth'.
// Since 'house depth' is not provided, we will re-frame the calculation to use perimeter. Let's assume houseWidth is the sum of two sides, and we need a depth.
// To avoid making assumptions about depth, let's calculate based on perimeter directly.
// Let's assume the inputs describe the *sides* that need siding.
// For a typical house, we'd need width and depth. Let's adjust the thinking.
// If we have width and height, we need depth.
// To keep it simple with the provided inputs:
// Let's assume houseWidth is ONE dimension of the house, and we'll need to infer depth or calculate based on perimeter.
// Re-thinking: A common approach is to ask for total linear feet of exterior wall, or width and depth.
// Given "House Width" and "House Height", a reasonable interpretation for a simple calculator is that it's describing ONE side's dimensions, and we're calculating area of that. This is insufficient for a full house.
// Let's make a better assumption: "House Width" and "House Height" define the *main rectangular walls*. The "depth" is missing.
// For simplicity, and to use the provided inputs: Let's assume 'houseWidth' is the length of ONE side of the rectangle, and we'll assume the house is SQUARE for simplicity, so Depth = Width.
// **Revised Interpretation:** Let's treat 'houseWidth' as the length of one side, and for simplicity in this example, we'll calculate the *perimeter* using a hypothetical depth that is also 'houseWidth'. This is a simplification. A real calculator would ask for width and depth.
// **Alternative for simplicity using provided fields:** Let's calculate the area of the two sides defined by House Width x House Height, and assume two more sides of Depth x House Height. Without Depth, we're stuck.
// **Let's assume `houseWidth` means `total linear feet of wall to be sided`** and `houseHeight` means `height of wall`. This is still problematic.
// **MOST PRACTICAL INTERPRETATION for these inputs:**
// Assume `houseWidth` and `houseHeight` describe the main rectangular facade area to be calculated.
// Assume `gableHeight` adds triangular areas.
// This still doesn't cover the whole house if it's rectangular (needs depth).
// To make this work with JUST these inputs, we'll assume it calculates *one side's* siding cost with gables, or that the "width" implies perimeter.
// Let's refine: The most common way to *estimate* siding area with minimal inputs is:
// (Perimeter of house * Wall Height) + Gable Areas – Door/Window Areas.
// Since we only have 'houseWidth', we have to infer perimeter. Let's assume a square house where Depth = houseWidth.
// So Perimeter = 4 * houseWidth. This is a BIG assumption.
// Let's try another interpretation that makes more sense for the inputs:
// `houseWidth` = length of one primary wall
// `houseHeight` = height of that primary wall
// `gableHeight` = height of gable on THAT wall (or an adjacent wall)
// This still doesn't cover the whole house.
// **Let's try the most standard approach and *pretend* we have a House Depth:**
// If we assume House Depth = House Width (square house):
var perimeter = 2 * (houseWidth + houseWidth); // Assuming depth = width
var rectangularWallArea = perimeter * houseHeight;
var gableArea = 0;
// We should clarify: does `gableHeight` apply to ONE gable or ALL gables?
// Let's assume `gableHeight` is for a single gable on the `houseWidth` side.
// If house is square, there are 4 walls and potentially 2 or 4 gables.
// To simplify for THIS input set: Calculate area of ONE side (width x height) + area of ONE gable (width x gableHeight / 2)
// This is not a good representation of a whole house.
// **Let's make the input more direct for a better calculation:**
// Let's change the interpretation of `houseWidth` and `houseHeight` to be more representative.
// Let's assume `houseWidth` is the length of one side, `houseDepth` (which we *don't have*) is the other.
// The most common simplified calculator inputs are:
// 1. Total Square Footage of the Home (for perimeter estimate) OR Width + Depth
// 2. Wall Height
// 3. Gable Height (if any)
// **Given the constraints, let's use this interpretation:**
// `houseWidth`: This is the longest dimension of the house.
// `houseHeight`: This is the primary wall height.
// `gableHeight`: This is the height of *each* gable end. Let's assume TWO gables.
// **We NEED `houseDepth` to calculate perimeter.** Since it's not provided, the calculator is fundamentally limited.
// **Let's try to RE-INTERPRET `houseWidth` as `total linear feet of exterior wall`**
// This is the most flexible interpretation that uses only one dimension.
// `houseWidth` = Total Linear Feet of Exterior Wall
// `houseHeight` = Height of Sided Walls
// `gableHeight` = Height of Gable End (Assume ONE gable for simplicity)
var totalLinearFeet = houseWidth; // Renaming for clarity of interpretation
var wallHeight = houseHeight; // Renaming for clarity
var totalRectangularWallArea = totalLinearFeet * wallHeight;
var totalGableArea = 0;
// If gableHeight is provided, assume it's a distinct gable area to add.
// A common scenario is a rectangular house with two gable ends.
// If 'houseWidth' is total linear feet, and 'gableHeight' is provided, it's ambiguous.
// Let's assume 'houseWidth' is the LENGTH of ONE side, and we'll assume DEPTH = HALF of WIDTH for a rectangular shape, then add gables.
// This is getting too complex with insufficient inputs.
// **Simplest interpretation for the provided fields: Assume house is a rectangle defined by `houseWidth` x `some_depth` and `gableHeight` is on top.**
// Let's assume `houseWidth` is the length of the *primary side*, and `houseHeight` is its height.
// And `gableHeight` applies to that same side's gable.
// This still doesn't account for other sides.
// **LAST ATTEMPT AT INTERPRETATION to use the fields provided meaningfully:**
// `houseWidth`: Width of the house footprint.
// `houseHeight`: Height of the main walls.
// `gableHeight`: Height of EACH gable. Assume a standard rectangular house with TWO gables (on the `houseWidth` sides).
// To get perimeter, we need house depth. Let's assume `houseDepth` = `houseWidth` * 0.75 (a common aspect ratio) for calculation.
// **This is a significant assumption and would ideally be an input.**
var houseDepth = houseWidth * 0.75; // **Assumption: House depth is 75% of house width**
var perimeter = 2 * (houseWidth + houseDepth);
var rectangularWallArea = perimeter * houseHeight;
var gableAreaPerSide = (houseWidth * gableHeight) / 2;
var totalGableArea = gableAreaPerSide * 2; // Assume two gables on the 'width' sides.
var totalSurfaceArea = rectangularWallArea + totalGableArea;
// Validate against non-siding areas
if (totalSurfaceArea < doorArea + windowArea) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Door and window area cannot exceed total wall area.";
return;
}
var netSidingArea = totalSurfaceArea – doorArea – windowArea;
var sidingNeeded = netSidingArea * (1 + wasteFactor / 100);
var materialCost = sidingNeeded * sidingCostPerSqFt;
var installationCost = sidingNeeded * installationCostPerSqFt;
var totalEstimatedCost = materialCost + installationCost;
if (isNaN(totalEstimatedCost) || totalEstimatedCost < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Calculation error. Please check your inputs.";
return;
}
resultDiv.innerHTML = `Total Estimated Cost: $${totalEstimatedCost.toFixed(2)}`;
}