Getting ready for a home improvement project like installing new siding or painting the exterior of your house? One of the first things you need to do is figure out the total square footage of your home’s exterior. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds! With a few easy steps, you can get the measurements you need to make sure you order the right amount of materials. And if you’d rather skip the measuring tape and go high-tech, tools like RoofScope, SidingScope, and PaintScope from Scope Technologies make the process even easier. Let’s dive into how to do it.
Breaking Down the Process of Measuring Exterior Square Footage
1. Start with a Simple Sketch
Before you grab your measuring tape, take a moment to sketch out your house. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just draw each side of the house and break it down into basic shapes like rectangles and triangles. These shapes will help you organize your measurements.
- Why This Helps: Breaking the exterior down into simple shapes makes the process much less overwhelming, especially if your house has complex features like dormers or bay windows.
Pro Tip: Use RoofScope
If you’d prefer to skip the drawing and manual measurements, RoofScope’s aerial technology can generate accurate diagrams of your home’s exterior for you. It’s fast, easy, and precise.
2. Measure Each Section of the House
Once you have your sketch, it’s time to measure each section of the exterior.
For Rectangles: Measure the length and height of each section from corner to corner.
For Triangles: Measure the base (the bottom of the triangle) and the height (from the base to the top point).
Why This Matters: These measurements are the foundation for calculating the square footage, so take your time and double-check everything.
Simplify with SidingScope
For siding projects, SidingScope takes the guesswork out of manual measurements by providing you with exact dimensions for each wall. It even factors in windows, doors, and other areas that don’t need siding, saving you time and effort. You can view an example of a SidingScope report here.
3. Calculate the Area of Each Section
Once you’ve got all your measurements, you can start calculating the square footage.
Rectangles: Multiply the length by the height to find the area.
Triangles: Multiply the base by half the height to get the area.
Why It Matters: This step helps you get an accurate square footage for each section, which is key to determining how much material you’ll need for siding, painting, or other projects.
4. Add Up All Sections
After calculating the square footage for each section, simply add them together to get the total exterior square footage of your home.
- Why It Matters: This gives you the complete measurement, helping you order the correct amount of materials. Underestimating can lead to delays, while overestimating means spending more than you need.
Leave it to PaintScope
Planning a paint job? PaintScope provides precise measurements for the entire exterior, including all those tricky areas like trim and eaves, helping you accurately estimate paint quantities. You can view an example of a PaintScope report here.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
1. Don’t Forget to Exclude Windows and Doors
When you’re calculating the square footage for siding or painting, you don’t want to include areas that won’t be covered, like windows and doors.
How to Do It: Measure the height and width of each window and door, then subtract their total area from your overall square footage.
Why It Matters: This ensures you don’t order more materials than you actually need, helping you avoid unnecessary costs.
2. Handle Complex Features Carefully
If your home has features like dormers, bay windows, or oddly shaped sections, break those down into smaller rectangles and triangles to simplify the process.
- Why It Matters: Tackling these tricky areas one piece at a time ensures that you don’t overlook or miscalculate any parts of the home.
3. Accuracy Counts
Use a sturdy measuring tape and make sure your measurements are precise. It can be helpful to use a level to ensure everything is straight, especially when measuring larger sections.
- Why It Matters: A small measurement mistake can lead to ordering too much or too little material, which can throw off your entire project timeline and budget.
4. Round Up if Needed
If your measurements don’t land perfectly on the foot, it’s a good idea to round up. This gives you a little extra material, just in case.
- Why It Matters: Running out of siding or paint halfway through a project can cause delays, so it’s better to have a little more than not enough.
Why Use Tools Like RoofScope, SidingScope, and PaintScope?
While you can measure manually, aerial measurement tools from Scope Technologies can take much of the hassle out of the process. Here’s why you might want to consider using these tools:
Save Time: Instead of spending hours measuring, RoofScope, SidingScope, and PaintScope can deliver precise measurements in a fraction of the time.
Accuracy: These tools account for all the little details, like dormers and overhangs, ensuring you get an accurate read on your home’s exterior square footage.
Convenience: With everything handled for you, there’s no need to struggle with measuring tapes and ladders.
Whether you’re working on a siding installation, a roofing project, or just giving your home a fresh coat of paint, RoofScope, SidingScope, and PaintScope can help make your project easier, faster, and more accurate.
Final Thoughts
Measuring your home’s exterior square footage is an important first step in any exterior renovation project. By following the steps outlined here, you can ensure that your measurements are accurate, helping you avoid costly mistakes. And if you’d rather leave the hard work to the pros, Scope Technologies offers advanced tools like RoofScope, SidingScope, and PaintScope that provide professional-grade precision and convenience.
For more information or to get started with an aerial measurement, visit RoofScope, SidingScope, or PaintScope.
written by RoofScope published on 09. 20. 2024