Home Exterior Square Footage Formula:
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Home exterior square footage measures the total surface area of a building's exterior walls and roof. It's commonly used for estimating materials needed for siding, painting, or other exterior renovations.
The calculator uses the simplified formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the total exterior surface area by adding the areas of all four walls (2LH + 2WH) plus the roof area (L×W).
Details: Accurate exterior square footage calculation is essential for estimating material quantities, project costs, and labor requirements for exterior renovation projects.
Tips: Enter the building's length, width, and height in feet. All values must be positive numbers. For irregular shapes, consider breaking the structure into rectangular sections.
Q1: Does this formula account for windows and doors?
A: No, this is a simplified calculation that provides total exterior surface area. For precise material estimates, you should subtract window and door areas.
Q2: How accurate is this calculation for complex roof shapes?
A: This formula assumes a flat roof. For pitched or complex roofs, the calculation will need adjustment to account for the increased surface area.
Q3: Should I include foundation walls in this calculation?
A: Typically, exterior square footage calculations focus on above-ground surfaces. Foundation walls are usually calculated separately if needed.
Q4: How does this differ from interior square footage?
A: Interior square footage measures livable space area, while exterior square footage measures the total surface area of the building's exterior.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for multi-story buildings?
A: For multi-story buildings, you would need to calculate each floor separately and sum the results, adjusting for any variations in dimensions.