Building Homes or Extensions/Mobile Home Siding

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Expert: - 1/24/2009


Question

Picture of siding
I have a 12'x65' mobile home and would like to replace the aluminum siding with vinyl. My problem is that I have no clue about square footage, and how much siding I will need. Here is the desciption on the siding:

Vision Pro D4" Dutch lap, 12.6' long. Proven cost-effective siding solution for durable, long-term protection. Vision Pro provides design flexibility and comes in wood grain finish that retains a fresly painted look. .040 thickness with a 1/2" panel projection provides panel rigidity. 24-pieces of siding per carton, or 2 squares per carton.

Can you please give me a ball park figure?

Thank You!
Sheila

Answer
Sheila,

You never gave me enough information to compute square feet.

Height in feet  x width in feet  = square feet

??? x 65  - square feet for one long side

x 2 because you have two long sides  = A

???? x 12 = square feet for one short end

x2 because you have 2 short ends  = B


If they are gable ends that need siding, they are triangles.
base x height x 1/2 = area of rectangle
12 '  x  ????   x .5 - area of one end
x2 because you have a triangle at each end = C



A + B + C = total square feet
100 square feet = 1 square which is how they measure siding, so
total square feet divided by 100 = number of squares.

Your answer needs to come out at at least 13 to 14 squares.  I'm guessing your height at near 8 feet.

YOu will need extra siding for mistakes and waste allowance.  YOu will need base trim around the perimeter, corner trim at each corner, J trim around each window and door, top cap around the full perimeter.  It is possible to leave the exising aluminum on, cover it with a special insulation, and apply new siding on top of it.  Make sure you do not nail vinyl siding tight as it moves a great deal

Dan Griffin

Expertise

I can answer almost all questions related to the total construction process. My expertise is in commercial construction, though I can field most any residential question. I have hands on experience in concrete, heavy equipment, masonry, all phases of carpentry, interior finishes, and I am fairly strong in mechanical and electrical.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience as a commercial carpenter and commercial construction superintendent. I have another 20 years experience in facility management for a major school district.

Organizations
My favorite hobby for he past 12 years has been singing bass in a The OkChorale men's barbershop chorus and the Mature Moments quartet.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English and Math. I have completed many continuing education hours in the building trades. I hold a Master Carpenter card from the AGC, Associated General Contractors.

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