Vinyl siding is made from extruded PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a durable lightweight plastic. It doesn’t dent, rot, or corrode, and is impervious to water. Older formulations may be quite brittle from extended exposure to ultraviolet light, however, these days most formulations are a co-extrusion of a UV-resistant capstock and a resilient substrate.
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Vinyl Siding Coverage
When estimating vinyl siding quantities, add up square footage, and add 10% for waste. As with wood siding estimates, do not deduct the area of windows and doors. This will provide an allowance for waste. If the window and door areas are over 50 sq. ft. (such as garage doors or sliding glass doors), deduct 75% of the total openings. For dormers and gable-end walls, add 1 ft. in height to the original measurements to allow for waste.
Estimating Siding Accessories
Add up lin. feet of outside and inside corners needed, and add 10% for waste. Include other trim accessories, as shown in the figure below.
Vinyl, metal, and hardboard siding require trim accessories, such as those listed in this table. Check with the siding manufacturer for its suggested siding trim package.
