Is there a formula to determine the length of each piece of siding as you side a gable end?
Example: If a wall length is 12′ with a pitch of 8 and an exposure of 5″, how much shorter is the next ascending piece going up the wall?
Assume using Hardi Board siding 6 1/4 width with 5″ exposure.
Replies
Using your framing square, lay out a mock-up triangle of 8/12 on a large piece of cardboard or whatever Make it large enough for 2 or 3 horizontal lines to represent the 5" increments of the exposed siding, and then draw horizontal lines to represent the bottom of each course.
You'll then be able to simply measure the change in length of each successive course.
The Hardieplank "best
The Hardieplank "best practices" PDF files demonstrate a clear method for calculating gable end board lengths:
Best Practices Guides
Download one of these files and search for "gable"; it should be around pp81ff or so:
Hardieplank Best Practices
Hardieplank Best Practices
One problem you may run into is that the roof pitch is often not that constant -- it can change significantly over the space of 2-3 courses, even though it looks straight to the uncritical eye. So don't get too far ahead of yourself -- don't cut more than 1-2 pieces at a time, and then be prepared to adjust as you go.