The Siding Math Of A Ranch-Style Home

Ranch-style homes are known for their simplistic structure, featuring asymmetrical floor plans and a horizontal façade parallel to the street. When it comes to siding for a ranch house, there are several factors to consider, such as the size of the house, the style of siding, and the number of squares needed. A square in siding refers to a unit of measurement that covers 100 square feet, and it is used by contractors, installers, and building suppliers to estimate the amount of siding required. To determine the number of squares needed for a ranch house, one must measure the height and width of each exterior wall, calculate their areas, and then divide the total wall area by 100 to get the number of squares. It is also important to consider factors such as doors, windows, and gables when calculating the total amount of siding needed.

Vinyl siding

When estimating the amount of vinyl siding needed for a ranch house, it is important to first determine the number of materials required by measuring the square footage. To do this, measure the width and height of each wall in feet and multiply these numbers to get the area of the wall in square feet. Then, divide the square footage by 100 to get the number of squares needed for the wall. For example, a wall that is 40 feet wide and 12 feet high will require at least 4.8 squares of siding material, which should be rounded up to the nearest whole square.

Ranch-style homes typically feature wide-open spaces, large windows, and a single-story layout. Therefore, horizontal vinyl siding is often used to make the house seem longer and lower. Log siding and barn siding are also common choices for ranch houses.

• Yellow vinyl siding with blue decorative shutters
• Vinyl shake siding on gables and board and batten siding on walls
• Staggered vinyl siding with split levels and vinyl shake gables
• Whitewashed faux-cedar vinyl shake and vinyl stone siding
• Board and batten vinyl siding with broad battens and thin battens
• Blue vinyl shake walls, vinyl stone wrapping, and lower walls in a mixed-media style
• White clapboard vinyl and vinyl stacked stone
• Grey vinyl siding with a metal roof
• Vinyl clapboard siding with black gutters and trim

Wood siding

Ranch-style homes are known for their low and wide single-story profiles, large picture windows, sliding glass doors, and attached front garages. They are typically asymmetrical, taking on a 'U' or 'L' shape layout. This type of home is close to the ground and tends to blend well with its surrounding landscape.

When it comes to siding for a ranch house, there are several options to choose from, including traditional vinyl siding, wood siding, steel siding, and engineered wood siding. Wood siding, in particular, offers a stylish and rustic look that complements the frontier-inspired design of ranch-style homes.

If you're considering wood siding for your ranch house, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, wood siding is available in different types of wood, such as cedar. You can choose from a variety of natural wood grain patterns to accentuate the rustic charm of your home. Wood siding can be installed with long, horizontal planks to create a visual effect that makes the house appear larger. Additionally, wood siding can be combined with other materials, such as stone, to create a unique and appealing exterior.

Another benefit of wood siding is its durability. Unlike fiber cement, which can be thin and wavy, wood siding provides a sturdy and long-lasting option. Engineered wood siding is also a popular choice for ranch remodels as it eliminates the need to discard warped and split pieces, reducing installation time.

To estimate the amount of wood siding needed for your ranch house, you can use the following calculation:

• Measure the height and width of each wall in feet.
• Multiply the height and width to get the area of each wall in square feet.
• Add the square footage of all the walls together to get the total exterior wall area.
• Divide the total square footage by 100 to get the number of "squares" needed. One "square" is a standard unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet.

Remember to account for doors and windows by subtracting their square footage from the total wall area. It is generally recommended to add 10% extra material to your estimate to account for waste and potential future repairs.

Steel siding

When it comes to the number of squares of siding needed for a ranch house, it's important to understand that "square" is a standard unit of measurement in the construction industry, representing 100 square feet of material. To determine the required amount, you need to measure the width and height of each wall in feet and multiply those numbers to obtain the area in square feet. Finally, divide this area by 100 to find the number of squares needed. For instance, a wall measuring 40 feet by 12 feet will require 4.8 squares of siding, rounded up to 5 full squares.

Ranch-style homes, known for their low and wide single-story profiles, often feature asymmetrical floor plans and blend seamlessly with their surroundings. When considering steel siding for your ranch house, you can explore various design options to enhance its unique character. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Cabin-style twist: Create a hybrid aesthetic by integrating jutted log siding that mimics the visual edges of a cabin in the woods. This approach blends rustic cabin vibes with the classic modesty and earthy design of a ranch home.
• Logs on a stone foundation: Combine log siding with a captivating stone foundation. The stone foundation provides thoughtful, earthbound elements that heighten the appeal of the log siding. Steel log siding is a great option to achieve this look with added durability.
• Smooth finish to highlight windows: If your ranch home has unique windows or other eye-catching details, consider using smooth siding to create a muted palette and a structured layout with clean, horizontal edges. This approach will modernise the architectural style while drawing attention to its special attributes.
• Rustic wood grain accent: Play up the frontier and great American west inspiration of ranch homes by incorporating rustic wood grain accents. Use natural wood grain around window sills, the entryway, and as porch posts to add a contemporary twist while honouring the classic ranch style.
• Long horizontal planks: Achieve a visual effect of making your ranch home appear larger by using long, horizontal planks. This technique creates a streamlined silhouette that makes the house seem longer.
• Perpendicular roof panelling: For a fun twist, try something different by aligning the horizontal siding perpendicular to the vertical roofing slats. This approach adds a fresh, barn-style spin to your contemporary ranch home.
• Bold colour contrast: Steel log siding comes in various vibrant colour options, so you can experiment with bold choices. Try contrasting the garage, entryway door, or roof palette with a striking colour to make a statement.

Remember, the beauty of a ranch-style home is its versatility. You can play with different styles and accents to make your home unique and contemporary while retaining its classic charm.

Calculating siding needs

Measure Each Wall:

Start by measuring the length and height of each wall of your ranch house. For example, if the front of your house is 40 feet wide and each floor is typically 10 feet high, and you have two floors, then that particular wall measures 40 feet by 20 feet, or a total of 800 square feet. Repeat this process for all the walls, including the sides and garage.

Calculate the Total Square Footage:

Once you have the measurements for each wall, calculate the square footage for each by multiplying the length and height. For instance, if you have a wall that is 25 feet long and 10 feet high, the square footage would be 250 square feet. Add up the square footage of all the walls to get the total exterior square footage of your house.

Account for Gables:

Don't forget to include any gable walls in your calculations. Gable walls are the triangular-shaped areas where the roof meets the edge of your house. To calculate the square footage of a gable, multiply the base (width of the gable) by the height and then divide the result by two. For example, if you have a gable that is 20 feet wide and 8 feet high, the square footage would be 80 square feet (20 x 8) / 2.

Subtract Doors and Windows:

Measure the length and width of each door and window, calculate their square footage, and then subtract the total from your overall square footage. This is an important step as you won't be siding over these areas.

Add a Waste Factor:

It's always a good idea to add a buffer to your calculations to account for any mistakes, cutting, or fitting issues. A common practice is to add a 10% waste factor to your total square footage. This means multiplying your total square footage by 1.10.

Determine the Number of Squares:

Now that you have the final square footage, you can determine how many "squares" of siding you will need. In the siding industry, a "square" refers to 100 square feet of surface area. So, simply divide your total square footage by 100 to get the number of squares required.

Choose the Right Amount of Siding:

The number of squares will help you determine how much siding you need to purchase. Boxes of siding typically cover a certain amount of square footage, which can vary by manufacturer and style. For example, a box of vinyl siding usually covers about 200 square feet, so if you need 2400 square feet of siding, you would need 12 boxes (2400/200 = 12).

By following these steps, you can accurately calculate the siding needs for your ranch house and ensure you purchase the right amount of material for your project.

Siding styles

Ranch-style homes are typically one-story houses with a low-pitched roof, extended eaves, and an open, casual layout. They first gained popularity in the 1960s and are known for their wide, single-story profiles, large picture windows, sliding glass doors, and attached front garages.

When it comes to siding styles for a ranch house, there are several options to consider:

Panel and Vertical Siding

LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is a prefinished product that can complement both traditional and modern aesthetics. The smooth siding texture works well with the ranch-style home's wide-open layout and large picture windows. It creates an interesting focal point, especially around areas like the attached front garage.

Board and Batten Style Siding

Board and batten style siding is a timeless look that can add visual interest to a blank wall. It is a great option for creating a classic and elegant exterior.

Wood Siding

Custom home builder Mike Schwartz has used fiber cement siding for ranch home renovations, but he now recommends engineered wood siding. Fiber cement siding is thinner and can look wavy, whereas engineered wood siding eliminates the time needed to discard warped and split pieces, reducing installation time.

Mixed Materials

Mixing building materials can give a ranch house a layered and modern look. For example, combining stone, concrete, and black accents with white siding can create a stylish exterior.

Color Options

When choosing colors for a ranch-style home, consider selecting three colors: a main exterior color, an accent color, and a trim color. This will create a cohesive look. Popular color combinations include Quarry Gray + Cavern Steel + Snowscape White, Harvest Honey + Terra Brown + Snowscape White, and Summit Blue + Cavern Steel + Desert Stone.

Frequently asked questions