Wood Siding Installation – Pattern Overlap and Area Coverage

DON'T RUN SHORT!

1x8" Wood SidingTHIS is EIGHT inches?

Wood siding is often sold by the linear (or lineal) foot in 6", 8" and sometimes 10" and 12" widths. These widths are called NOMINAL "in name only" measurements. The ACTUAL or "dressed" width will be less.

BUYER BEWARE WARNING! Although there are wood siding industry standards like WWPA, WCLIB, WRCLA, CRA, NELMA - the actual thickness, width, pattern overlap and exposed face can vary from mill to mill. This variation can significantly impact the actual LFT VOLUME of wood you need to buy to cover YOUR specific SQFT area.

Be sure to confirm the DRESSED pattern measurements with the mill BEFORE you buy. Running a hundred SQFT short can cost $$$$ if custom milling and shipping are involved.

To figure out how many linear feet (LFT) of siding you need you must multiply the square foot area you need to COVER by a linear factor based on the siding width you have selected 6", 8", 10". The Lineal Foot Factor is derived by dividing 12 inches by the individual pattern's "exposed" face - the width that will be visible after the siding boards are installed.

A) Calculate the square footage in walls: length x height = area SQFT

B) Calculate, and then subtract, the square footage of doors and windows

C) Add 10% to cover trim and waste to (B) which gives you the estimated SQFT you need to cover

D) Find your pattern and nominal width in the table below

E) Multiply your estimated SQFT by the pattern's linear Foot factor

SQFT x LFT Factor = estimated Linear Feet you will need for the job. You MUST figure this out BEFORE you BUY!

When we quote your wood siding SQFT we will use the dimensions specific to the mill producing YOUR order. You will see those specifications on the confirmed quote BEFORE you commit to the order.There are NO hidden gotchas!

* assuming 3/8" board overlap

* assuming 1/2" board overlap

* assuming 1" board overlap

* assuming 1" board overlap

* assuming 3/8" overlap, allow 1/8" gap

* assuming 1/2" board overlap

* assuming 3/8" board overlap

* assuming recommended 2" board overlap

* assuming 1/2" board overlap. Note dressed dimensions are the same for both Rabbeted and NO Rabbet quarter log profiles

1x8" Pattern Coverage Example: If you are siding four walls 8 feet high by 40 feet long with 8" wide cedar siding boards and we allow 10% of the total square feet for openings, you would need approximately 2250-2450 linear feet depending on pattern selected:

These examples are for estimating only. They are based on industry pattern standards but CAN and WILL vary from mill to mill. Be sure to confirm these dimensions with the mill before you order!

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Wood Siding Installation - Pattern Overlap and Area Coverage