This tool helps builders navigate the “Weight vs. Beauty” trade-off. Siding is one of the heaviest components of a tiny house shell. This calculator visualizes exactly how much of your trailer’s precious payload capacity is “eaten” by heavy materials like Fiber Cement or Cedar, versus lightweight options like Vinyl or Metal.
It features a “Payload Eater” Meter and a Maintenance Clock to show the long-term cost of your choice.
Siding Weight & Durability
Vinyl vs. Cedar vs. Metal: Manage your payload.
1. Exterior Dimensions
Don’t subtract windows/doors for safety margin.
2. Select Material
Based on avg 3,500lb payload allowance
Material Breakdown
Vinyl is the lightest (0.6 lbs/sf) but melts if you park too close to a reflective window. Metal (1.0 lbs/sf) is the “Sweet Spot” for tiny homes—lightweight, fire-resistant, and zero maintenance, though it can “oil can” (wavy look) in heat.
Cedar (1.5 lbs/sf) adds warmth but requires staining every 2-3 years to prevent graying/rot. Fiber Cement (2.5 lbs/sf) is extremely durable but adds ~1,000 lbs more than vinyl—often pushing 10k trailers over their legal limit.