How to Calculate the Amount of Hardie Plank Siding for Your Home

When planning a home improvement project involving fiber-cement siding, one of the most important steps is accurately calculating the amount of material you'll need. Hardie Plank siding, a leading product in the fiber-cement siding category, offers the durability of masonry with the classic appeal of wood. Before diving into your DIY roofing project or upgrading your Fibre Cement exterior cladding, it’s essential to understand how to measure and calculate the right amount of James Hardie plank for your home.

What Is Hardie Plank Siding?

Hardie Plank siding is a high-quality fiber-cement siding product produced by the James Hardie Corporation. Made from a blend of water, wood pulp, Portland cement, and fly ash, it provides long-lasting durability and resistance to the elements. Not only does it mimic the appearance of wood and other traditional materials, but it also requires less maintenance and offers superior protection against fire, insects, and rot. Installing this siding can significantly enhance your home's exterior and overall roofing system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Hardie Plank Siding

Accurate measurement is key to avoiding unnecessary costs and ensuring that you purchase the right amount of siding for your project. Follow these steps to calculate the amount of Hardie Plank siding you need:

Step 1: Sketch Your Home's Exterior

Start by sketching each exterior wall of your home on a sheet of paper. The sketches don’t need to be perfectly to scale, but they should capture the basic shape of each wall. To make the measuring process easier, divide each sketch into simple geometric shapes, such as rectangles and triangles. For example, if a wall has a sloped roof, you can represent it as a rectangle with a triangle on top.

Step 2: Measure Your Home's Exterior

Using your sketches as a guide, measure each section of your home’s exterior. For example, if you have a rectangular section topped with a triangle, measure the height and width of the rectangle, then measure the length of all three sides of the triangle. Transfer these dimensions to your sketches, ensuring that each wall’s measurements are accurate.

Step 3: Calculate the Area of Each Section

Next, calculate the area of each section on your sketches:

• Rectangles and Squares: Multiply the length by the width to get the area.
• Triangles: Multiply the height of the triangle by the length of the base (the longest side), and then divide by two.

Add together the areas of all sections to determine the total square footage of your home’s exterior.

Step 4: Subtract the Area of Doors and Windows

Measure the dimensions of all doors, windows, and any other exterior features that won’t be covered by siding. Calculate the area of each, and then subtract the total from the overall square footage you calculated in Step 3. This will give you the square footage of Hardie Plank siding you’ll need to purchase.

Step 5: Account for Waste and Future Repairs

When ordering your Hardie Plank siding, add about 10% to your total square footage to account for waste and potential future repairs. This extra material will cover any errors made during installation and ensure you have matching siding available if you need to make repairs down the road. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to match the exact color and texture later, so it’s wise to order a little extra upfront.

Step 6: Measure for Trim

In addition to the siding, you’ll need to consider the trim required for your project. Hardie Plank siding is typically installed with corner beads, window and door trim, and soffit trim. Measure the total linear footage of these areas and add these quantities to your order.

Final Tips for Your DIY Roofing Project

Calculating the correct amount of Hardie Plank siding is a crucial step in ensuring the success of your DIY roofing project or exterior cladding update. By taking the time to accurately measure your home’s exterior and account for all necessary materials, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure a smooth installation process.

Whether you’re installing a new roofing system or enhancing your home’s exterior with Fibre Cement cladding, following these steps will help you achieve professional results with James Hardie plank siding.