Short Answer: 100 Square Feet.

1 Square = 100 Sq.Ft.

Long Answer,  from our Square of Siding definition page:

Square: (house siding)

Abbreviation: SQ

A Square is a term that is used by Siding Contractors, Installers, Suppliers and Manufacturers that is short for 100 square feet of siding.

Not sure what a “Square Foot” is?
See our: definition of Square Feet.

“Square” Bullet Points:

• The terms “Square” and “Squares” are very common with Vinyl Siding professionals.
• Vinyl Siding is typically sold in 2 Square (SQ) boxes.
  • 2 SQ = 2 Square = 200 square feet.
• Vinyl Shake Siding is often sold in 1/3 Square or 1/2 Square boxes.
  • 1/3 SQ = 1/3 Square = 33.3 Square Feet
  • 1/2 SQ = 1/2 Square = 50.0 Square Feet

“Square” Examples in Communication:

• Vinyl Siding Installer says, “I installed 5 squares of siding yesterday.”
  • That is the same as saying, “I installed 500 square feet of siding yesterday.”
• Siding Manufacturer says, “1 box of vinyl siding contains 2 squares”
  • That is the same as saying, “1 box of vinyl siding contains 200 square feet.”
• Siding Supplier says, “All vinyl siding is $25 Off per Square.”
  • That is the same as saying, “All vinyl siding is $25 Off per 100 square feet.”
• Vinyl Siding Contractor says, “We pay $100 per Square for Vinyl.”
  • In this context, he’s refering to what they pay thier installers to install vinyl siding.
  • This would be the same as saying, “We pay $100 per 100 square feet for Vinyl” and “We pay $1 per square foot for Vinyl.”

So What is the definition of a “Square” of House Siding?

A “square” is a unit of area measurement used in House Siding (specifically Vinyl Siding) that equals one hundred (100) square feet.

1 Square (of House Siding) = 10 feet X 10 feet = 100 Square Feet.

10′ x 10′ = 100 sq.ft. = 1 Square of Siding

Using the formula above, let’s bring this all together.

Example:  If you have a wall on your house that is 40 feet long by 8 feet high. ( 40′ x 8′ )

So How Many SQUARES is this example wall?

Answer: 40′ x 8′ = 320 sq.ft. = 3.2 Squares of Siding
a.k.a.: 320 ft2 = 320 SqFt = 320 sq.ft. = 320 Ext. SqFt

Now if a product costs $150 per square and you need 3.2 squares, your cost would be $480.00.

$150 per square  x  3.2 squares  =  $480.00

For more see our Square Calculator: Square of Siding Calculator

ref.: http://www.siding4u.com/Dictionary/square-of-siding.php

Siding Squares Calculator (screen shot)

We’ve created another useful siding calculator.  This one is for figuring out your Siding Squares.  See our Siding Squares Calculator at SquareFootage.org.

In the above example you can see that with our Squares Calculator you can use Feet, Inches, Decimals or any combination of the three for both Height and Length.  The calculator returns the: Squares of Siding, Square Footage, Height in Feet, Length in Feet, Square Inches, Height in Inches and Length in Inches.  How’s that for thorough?  No it doesn’t convert to meters or cups of water or translate into Spanish… maybe those will be in future updates. *wink*

Siding Professional Challenge: if you’ve got a keen eye and are familiar with siding, you may have noticed an oddity with the calculator example above.  What ever may it be – you ask?  No cheating.  If you haven’t spotted it, take another look above then see the answer below.
Answer: in house siding, a wall that is 40 feet tall and 8 feet wide is pretty uncommon.  You would only “typically” find a wall like that on commercial structures like condos, apartment buildings, warehouses, and the like.  It would be extremely rare to see a wall like that on a residential structure.  However, the calculations are correct BUT the example was supposed to be… a variation of 40 feet wide by 8 feet tall.  If I wouldn’t of said anything, would you have noticed?  Be honest.

What is a “Square” of (House) Siding?

A “square” is a unit of area measurement used in House Siding (specifically Vinyl Siding) that equals one hundred (100) square feet.
1 Square (of House Siding) = 10 feet X 10 feet = 100 Square Feet

If you’re interested… and I’m guessing you are if you’ve read this whole post to this point… you can go check out our Siding Squares Calculator and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Top Vinyl Siding Cities

Some of The Top Cities for Vinyl Siding may surprise you.

We ran the numbers, and plotted a map to show the cities with the highest number of vinyl siding estimate requests.  Of course ALL areas across the USA have requests for vinyl siding but if we plotted all of them on a map… you’d just have one big solid red map.  So to illustrate the most popular areas we applied a quantity & time frame threshold prior to plotting the map.

Here’s a short list of the Top 10 Cities for Vinyl Siding that  “frankly” surprised us (with links to the pages that generated them):

• Rockville Maryland
  • population: 61,209
  • Rockville, MD 20850
• Dayton Ohio
  • population: 166,179
  • Dayton, OH 45419
• Falls Church Virginia
  • population: 11,169
  • Falls Church, VA 22042
• Richmond Kentucky
  • population: 27,152
  • Richmond, KY 40475
• Mason Ohio
  • population: 22,019
  • Mason, OH 45040
• East Longmeadow Massachusetts
  • population: 15,720
  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028
• Cincinnati Ohio
  • population: 331,285
  • Cincinnati, OH 45255
• Sterling Virginia
  • population: 169,599
  • Sterling, VA 20164
• Westerly Rhode Island
  • population: 22,787
  • Westerly, RI 02891
• Stow Massachusetts
  • population: 7,083
  • Stow, MA 01775

It just goes to show, unless you crunch the numbers, you really just never know.  Vinyl Siding has been the #1 most requested and searched for siding for many years now and as you can see it’s #1 all across the US.

the Save On Siding™ system

Helping homeowners save on Vinyl Siding has always been one of our primary purposes for being online. NOW we have honed all of our knowledge, tools & inside information into an easy to follow system of 7 specific steps.

“If YOU were an ex-siding contractor, these are the exact steps you would take to save the most on siding… plus we give you additional inside information to ensure your success… I wanted to design a step by step procedure that anyone to could follow but was advanced enough to ensure that each potential siding consumer could shop like a pro and get the best deal possible for exactly what they want.”
~ Siding4u.com Founder, Robert Bury

What’s In It For YOU?

The Save On Siding System is specifically designed to save you the most money on the best products and service, installed by the best contractors with the least amount of effort, on your part, as possible.

• FREE Service.
• Online access to the complete Save On Siding™ 7 Step system.
• Exclusive Tools & Information only available here.
• access to the Best Contractors available.
• Email Support.

To learn more about our Save On Siding™ system, SEE our Save On Siding™ program details page.

by Estimates Requested for August 2011

1. Virginia
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. Ohio
5. Texas
6. New York
7. Florida
8. Pennsylvania
9. Washington
10. Michigan

Two things stand out when looking at this list of States:

• Where’s New Jersey?
  • In the past New Jersey has been a front runner for siding and it didn’t even make the Top 10 for August 2011.  That’s pretty shocking.
• WOW… Florida made the Top 10?
  • Florida has consistently been a pretty sparse state for siding for several years now.  HOWEVER Hurricane Irene and the previous storms have changed all that… for the time being anyhow.

by Estimates Requested for August 2011

1. Vinyl Siding – Materials Only
2. Vinyl Siding – Full Install
3. Fiber Cement Siding – Full Install
4. Vinyl Shake Siding – Materials Only
5. Fiber Cement Siding – Materials Only
6. Vinyl Shake Siding – Full Install
7. Soffits
8. Vinyl Siding – Small Job
9. Soffits – Materials Only
10. Cedar Siding – Materials Only

Why is this Top 10 list important?

If you are a Homeowner
… this Top 10 illustrates what is “most popular” and while WE are not typically an advocate of “going with the crowd” it illustrates an important point – if you had a staff of 46,000 people and they were all given the task of researching the Best Siding available today… what would stand out head and shoulders above the rest?

If you are a Siding Professional
… and interested in staying in touch with “What The People Want” then this Top 10 clearly shows what you can focus on to give your customers what they want.  I’m sure we can all agree… being out of touch with your consumer base is deadly to a company.

~ Key Points

There are several things to point out in this Top 10 list of Siding Estimates Requested:

• 65% of the Top 10 are for Vinyl Siding
  • again illustrating Vinyl Siding as the #1 most popular siding in the United States.
• 46% are for Materials Only
  • this one is something we’ve been watching for some time.  The increase in Materials Only estimate requests could be a result of the economic times and more people being subject to needing to renovate their homes exterior while needing to save as much money as possible.
• 19% is for Fiber Cement Siding
  • illustrating Fiber Cement’s continued slip on the siding market share.
• only 5% is for Cedar Siding
  • we suspect this is again due to Siding Cost being a major factor AND homeowners wanting a low maintenance siding solution.

In Conclusion

If you are a Siding Professional
… it really would behoove you to consider helping Homeowners get connected with the Siding Materials they want.
If you are a Homeowner looking for the right Siding for you
… you can take the wisdom of the masses and choose Vinyl Siding OR get educated about all of the siding options available to you and break away from the pack… either way, you can start with us on our Save On Siding system™ Step #1.

Unique Vinyl Siding Before and After

First of all, what is a Top Notch Vinyl Siding Installation?

• The vinyl siding LOOKS like wood.
  • That’s the whole point of vinyl siding… to look like wood BUT not require the constant upkeep that wood siding requires.
• The LINES are straight and clean looking.
  • Installing vinyl siding is like exterior finish carpentry.  It’s the installers job to make the home’s exterior look good and that includes making up for “rougher areas” in the home’s exterior.
• The installation lasts for at least the length of the product warranty and/or the installation’s warranty (which ever is longer).
  • Yes this is a bit of a no-brainer but it stands to mention that if an installation looks spectacular at first then after a few years it falls apart… well that definitely is not a “top notch” installation.
• The installation process was a painless and quick procedure.
  • A vinyl siding installation is a major renovation and as “major renovations” go – it can be a stressful event.  A “top notch” vinyl siding installation team will work hand-in-hand with the homeowners to: reduce any potentially stressful situations, keep the homeowners informed about the progress of the installation and make the siding install as quick of a process as possible while maintaining a superior degree of craftsmanship and professionalism.

To get a top rate vinyl siding installation it takes at least these three elements:

Vinyl Siding Soffits - notice the "lines" are matched up. (click to enlarge)

1. Skill & Knowledge in Installing Vinyl Siding
   1. Installing vinyl siding is not like installing cedar, wood or fiber cement siding.  Vinyl siding installations require a very unique skill set to produce a great looking finished product.  Mastering all of these needed skills takes a considerable amount of time as a full time vinyl siding installer and under the watchful eye of a Master Vinyl Siding Carpenter.
2. Professionalism
   1. An important part of the vinyl siding installation process is how the siding installation team conducts themselves while they are on-site.  These are peoples cherished homes that they are working on, typically a home is a family’s most significant investment.  How the job site is kept clean, how the neighbors are accommodated, how vehicles are parked, how shoes are removed if an installer needs to enter the home… these are all things that occur when the siding installation team exhibit proper levels of professionalism.
3. Attention to Detail
   1. It’s in the details where Top Notch Siding Installations stand out from the average siding install…  and this is especially true with Vinyl Siding.  So what does “Attention to Detail” mean when talking about vinyl siding?  With Vinyl Siding the things to look for are:
      1. The laps (lines) in the siding match up… especially on the corners.
      2. The panels are straight and flat when you look down the wall (devoid of “waves” as much as possible).
         1. Yes, some “waves” are unavoidable and do commonly occur with cedar and fiber cement siding… often more so with cedar and fiber cement in actuality.  Walls on a house aren’t any where as “flat” as most people think due to variations in the studs… it’s quite common.
            However it is the job of the siding installer to “cover up” as many of these wall imperfections as possible.
      3. The window trim looks clean and crisp… and most likely mitered.
      4. Very little “exposed” caulking and if it is visible, it’s clean, smooth and neat.
      5. The finished product is clean, dry and pencil mark free.
      6. Everything looks consistent and “like” wood as much as possible.

In conclusion, a “top notch vinyl siding installation” will vary depending on several factors but if the items mentioned her are present – the Vinyl Siding install will most likely be a Top Notch one!

Who's the RIGHT Siding Contractor for you?

Picking a siding contractor can be a daunting task but if you follow some basic guidelines you dramatically increase your odds of picking the right one – the first time.

So what do we know?

We know everybody is different (thankfully) and every home has it’s own unique needs and every siding company / siding contractor is at least slightly different.

We know there are good contractors, not so good contractors and down right (being nice here) mis-guided contractors… all waiting to “help you.”

… and thankfully …

We know there IS the RIGHT SIDING CONTRACTOR out there waiting for you with the right products at the right price… just for you.  And we’re going to help you find him or her!

Selecting a Siding Contractor Check List:
click each for a detailed description

1. Are they legal to do work on your home?
2. Get references and CHECK THEM.
3. Get at least 3 to 4 WRITTEN estimates.
4. Compare estimates and consider compare apples to apples.
5. Follow your GUT!

To see this checklist explained in detail see our: Selecting a Quality Siding and Window Company page.

Your Opinions Help Us Improve!

Here are ALL of the opinions we received from the visitors of our Siding Cost Calculator page, in the last 6 months.

Reference Pages:
Our Siding Cost Calculator page
Our “Your Opinion Matters” page
NOTE: nothing has been omitted; only names and emails have been remove (IF they were submitted).

Actual Word-For-Word Opinions:

“Great site. If every important web site had such a personal,informative and friendly set up like “SIDING 4U” life would be so much better. thanks, ray”
~ Tuesday, March 15th 2011, 8:30 am

“very good gives lots of info”
~ Sunday, March 6th 2011, 1:26 pm

“super!”
~ Sunday, February 27th 2011, 6:54 am

“I think its great since I knew nothing of pricing when it cam to siding. Thank you”
~ Friday, February 25th 2011, 2:58 pm

“very helpful info.
what about the vinyl siding that looks like shingles?”
~ Thursday, January 20th 2011, 7:21 am

OUR ANSWER: Vinyl Shake (or Shingle) Siding varies greatly in material and labor costs.  However to give you a ballpark idea – take the vinyl siding costs calculated and add $2.10 to the psf installed costs.  Example: with a vinyl siding installed ballpark estimate at $5.50 psf, add $2.10 would now be $7.60 psf installed.    NOTE: Most vinyl shake siding is used as an accent in gables or in select areas to keep costs down.

“I would like feedback from you.
Is the cost calculator the INSTALLED price or just the material cost?”
~ Thursday, January 6th 2011, 8:31 am

OUR ANSWER: All ballpark price ideas are for materials and labor (installed).  So YES it is for the INSTALLED price not just the material costs.

“good. would be better if it states if it included insulation board underneath.”
~ Thursday, December 16th 2010, 5:38 pm

OUR ANSWER:  There are a large number of underlayment choices and possibilities available with a wide range of additional cost options.  However, our ballpark numbers include Tyvek (or similar) underlayment.  3/8″ to 1/2″ fan-fold insulation could be substituted for a small addition cost increase and the numbers would still hold. Anything that would actually add R value to the home would cost  more – depending on the size of home and materials used.  The main purpose of giving Ballpark Siding Prices is to give you an idea of what siding might cost on your project.  Getting exact numbers to base financial decisions off of boils down to get actual estimates on your exact home.

“Siding 4U should first take a spelling course under the “youropinion matters most! your comments, questions and conserns- arggghhh! how do you spell conserns – better look that on up in your Funk & Wagnalls in there they say it is spelled “Concerns” geez and your supposed to be professional website I would fire that web designer!”
~ Friday, November 12th 2010, 6:39 pm

OUR ANSWER: {blush} Oops… aren’t typo’s fun.?.?.? Thanks for the heads up, it’s been fixed. ref.:  Your Opinion Matters
sidebar: we call proof reading a “cheep check” because one time a piece went out with the typo “cheep” instead of “cheap”… it was a running joke for quite some time.  {honestly, that’s the kind of stuff that keeps life fun – imho.}

“awesome.very helpfull.”
~ Saturday, October 23rd 2010, 5:20 am

“Does your calculator take into account the replacement oftrim around doors and windows and on the corners? This is not clear. What about comparison between 1 and two stories.”
~ Thursday, October 21st 2010, 6:57 pm

OUR ANSWER: “Replacement trim” is a little unclear.  If you mean required trim for vinyl siding then yes.  If you mean something “special” than no it’s not included and would most likely cost extra.
1 and 2 story home cost differences are usually not any different however some companies may charge extra… most do not unless your home is exceptionally tall or some unique circumstance exists.

“very helpful as a starting point”
~ Monday, October 4th 2010, 12:06 pm

“Great! Big help w/o a whole lot of extra junk. Thanks I just bookmaked site will use again.”
~ Tuesday, September 28th 2010, 9:15 am

“Excellent webite. I just wasted a lot of time at sites that claim to calculate estimated siding costs in 1 minute–all they do is take my email and phone and sell it to whomever–then give me a link list. Finally your site is the real thing. Good job hope you make a billion dollars.”
~ Monday, September 27th 2010, 11:33 am

Thank You!  Thank You!  Thank You!
We will continue to do our very best to improve this industry for homeowners and contractors alike. Your comments, questions and concerns are always welcome.  If you have something you’d like to bring to our attention please feel free to Contact Us or submit your Opinion to us anonymously (if you choose).  Cheers Everyone!!!

Vinyl is Victorious

The Debate is Over!
Vinyl Siding is 3.5 times more requested than Fiber Cement Siding (HardiePlank®, WeatherBoards™, etc.)

So What’s the Big Deal?

For many years there was speculation that Fiber Cement Siding would overcome Vinyl Siding in popularity and gross sales. Most of this debate was fueled by none other than James Hardie Building Products, Inc. the makers of HardiePlank® Siding due to their negative ad campaign against vinyl siding in general.  Well the millions of dollars they spent attempting to discredit vinyl siding in general obviously didn’t launch them or fiber cement to the #1 spot but they are a distant 2nd and that’s definitely saying something.

The Proof:

2010 Siding & Window Estimate Requests by Specific Type

The numbers below were provided courtesy of The Contractors With Integrity Network™ a Siding Web™ website (our parent website).

One final observation: it’s interesting to note that the least requested estimate in 2010 was Fiber Cement Shake Siding Repair. Hmmm. Very interesting.