Installing siding on an average 1,800-square-foot home typically costs between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on what material you choose, the local labor rate, and whether or not your local laws require you to obtain a permit before re-siding your home. The national average cost to install siding is around $10,000.
Before you can estimate how much a siding project will cost, you need to decide what kind of siding you want, whether you should hire a professional or attempt to DIY, and learn about your municipality’s laws regarding inspections and permits for siding replacements. If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry. We put together this comprehensive guide to help you determine how much you can expect to pay for a siding replacement for your home. Below you’ll find a detailed breakdown of siding costs, covering the pros and cons of different materials, hidden costs of maintaining different types of siding, and more.
How Much is Siding for a House?
How much it will cost to replace your entire siding depends on several factors. It is difficult to give precise estimates without knowing the specific details of your situation, but all siding replacements are affected by these common cost factors. Replacing your siding is a major home improvement project, and the cost varies a lot from one house to the next.
Your Home’s Size and Shape
The most obvious factor is your home’s square footage. Larger homes require more materials and take longer, leading to increased labor costs if you hire a contractor. If you want an accurate quote from a siding company, it’s a good idea to be prepared with your home’s size in square feet as well as more specific measurements of the dimensions of your exterior siding.
You should expect to pay more per square foot if your house has several levels or oddly-shaped sections since both attributes make your contractor’s job more difficult. You’ll also have to pay more for your contractor to remove and dispose of your old siding, although that is usually included in the initial estimate.
The Siding Material
What material you choose also plays an important role, with low-cost options like vinyl siding and wood siding costing a fraction of expensive options like stone siding and brick siding. Choosing what material is best for you and your home is the primary focus of this article and will be discussed at length in the next section.
Permits and Inspections
Many homeowners are unaware that replacing their siding may require a permit since it constitutes a change to the exterior of their home. Depending on the building codes where you live, you may need to have an inspection and acquire a permit if you’re replacing all of your home’s siding since changing your home’s exterior can affect your home’s tax assessment.
Seasonal Demand
Most siding jobs happen during the spring and summer months, making these times of the year more expensive, in general. You might be able to save some money by having your siding replaced during the offseason, although you should avoid a winter installation if you live somewhere with snowy, icy winters, as bad weather will delay the job.
Customization
Choosing a premade type of siding is much more affordable than customizing your options. If you want an unusual color or special trim or molding, you should increase your budget, as these options usually raise the cost.
Long Term Maintenance
One factor people often overlook is the continual cost of maintaining different kinds of siding. Even though wood and vinyl siding cost approximately the same amount, vinyl is significantly easier to clean and maintain. Choosing a low-maintenance material will make your life easier and save you money in the long run compared to a material that needs more care and attention. Low-maintenance materials usually last longer, too, making it an easy choice for anyone who favors function over form. If you do have problems, a good home warranty can help offset maintenance costs.
House Siding Materials & Cost Per Square Foot by Type
The most important decision when replacing your siding is what material to use. If you aren’t married to one particular style and are looking for the most cost-effective type of siding, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of different materials. The following sections cover what you’ll need to know about the most common types of siding to make an informed decision.
Here’s a quick overview of siding prices for a 2,000-square-foot home:
| Siding Material | Cost Per Square Foot | Total Cost of Siding Installation |
| Vinyl | $1–$8 | $2,000–$16,000 |
| Wood | $8–$12 | $16,000–$24,000 |
| Board and Batten | $3.50–$5.50 | $7,000–$11,000 |
| Fiber Cement | $5–$12 | $10,000–$24,000 |
| Aluminum | $5–$10 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Stucco | $3–$6 | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Engineered Wood | $1.50–$6.50 | $3,000–$13,000 |
| Stone Veneer | $20–$50 | $40,000–$100,000 |
| Brick Veneer | $5–$20 | $10,000–$40,000 |
Vinyl Siding
Overview and Benefits
Vinyl siding is ubiquitous across the country, and for good reason. It’s cheap, easy to clean, and easy to replace if it gets damaged. The only drawbacks to vinyl siding are that the basic options aren’t aesthetically pleasing, although there are more options now than there were a few decades ago. Some companies offer insulated vinyl siding that costs more but offers better energy efficiency. Vinyl siding is the best choice for practical people who want reliable, low-maintenance siding and don’t care as much about aesthetics.
Cost Per Square Foot
Vinyl siding costs between $1 and $8 per square foot on average. The price range comes from the different quality levels available for vinyl siding. Most siding contractors offer a selection of different thicknesses and styles to suit a variety of tastes. Popular styles like faux wood or stone usually cost more, and higher-grade vinyl siding can be surprisingly expensive.
How Much to Replace Vinyl Siding?
The average price of a vinyl siding installation on a 2,000-square-foot home is $2,000–$16,000. This estimate does not include extras like window trim, soffits, or fascia board, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to replace those as well.
How to Clean Vinyl Siding?
Perhaps the best feature of vinyl siding is how easy it is to clean. A bucket of soapy water and your garden hose is all you need to keep vinyl siding clean, making it the easiest type of siding to maintain by far. It’s also resilient to insect damage, mold, and mildew, so you won’t have to worry as much about keeping it clean as you would with other materials, like wood.
How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last?
Vinyl siding has excellent durability and longevity and can last up to 40 years if it’s well-cared-for. Vinyl siding does not hold up as well against high winds as more resilient materials like stone or brick veneer, so it may not last as long if you live someplace with severe weather.
Curb Appeal
Unfortunately, vinyl siding won’t do much to enhance your home’s curb appeal, so it’s not a great investment if you’re hoping to attract more buyer’s to an open house. However, practical buyers value new siding even if it’s run-of-the-mill vinyl, so it may still help you make a sale if you’re considering selling your home.
Wood Siding
Overview and Benefits
Wood siding is another popular choice, especially in rural, wooded communities where the natural look of wood siding helps a home feel like part of the environment. Wood siding is slightly more expensive than vinyl on average, although the long-term costs usually outpace vinyl since wood siding is more difficult to maintain. It usually comes as shakes, shingles, or clapboard.
Cost Per Square Foot
Wood siding costs between $8 and $12 on average, although there are both cheaper and more expensive options available. The cost of wood siding depends on the style and type of wood you choose, with premium woods fetching significantly higher prices than common woods.
How Much to Replace Wood Siding?
Most siding companies will charge slightly more to install wood siding since it’s not as easy to work with as vinyl siding. A more expensive wood — like a high-quality cut of cedar or redwood — could easily cost $20 per square foot.
How to Clean Wood Siding?
Cleaning wood siding is a tricky business and much more labor-intensive than cleaning vinyl siding. Some harder woods, like redwood, are relatively easy to clean and only need to be power washed once per year. However, other types of wood siding need to be scrubbed by hand, a painstaking process that can easily take up multiple weekends if you do it yourself.
Another drawback to cleaning wood siding is that certain styles like shingles and shake have hard-to-reach areas that can accumulate mold and other nasty deposits, and missing these tricky areas can reduce your wood siding’s lifespan.
How Long Does Wood Siding Last?
Wood siding can last as long as vinyl siding, but it will take much more work. If you reseal the wood every three to five years, you can expect your wood siding to last for at least 20 years. It’s not uncommon for wood siding to last up to 40 years in climates without harsh weather.
Curb Appeal
Unlike vinyl siding, wood siding has a lot of curb appeal and will help your home stand out from the pack, as long as it fits the style of the region where you live. Wood siding can be luxurious, with premium woods and interesting designs fetching considerably higher prices than standard vinyl siding. Make sure your contractor has experience working with the type of wood siding you want before you commit to anything, especially if you’re looking for something from the high end of the price spectrum.
Board and Batten Siding
Overview and Benefits
Board and Batten siding share many characteristics with wood siding since it’s made from processed wood. Most board and batten siding is most often made from plywood sheets that get treated with insecticide and fungicide before they’re installed. This makes board and batten siding sort of like a hybrid of wood and vinyl siding. The benefits of this approach come mostly from the reduced maintenance burden compared with regular wood siding, but some people also just prefer the look. It’s also more affordable than solid wood siding, making it an excellent option for people who want the look of wood but can’t afford expensive wood siding.
Cost Per Square Foot
The national average cost per square foot of board and batten siding is $3.50–$5.50. The price range for board and batten siding is narrower than most other types of siding because plywood sheets cost approximately the same amount anywhere in the U.S., and board and batten is extremely common and easy to install.
How Much to Replace Board and Batten Siding?
The total cost for a whole-home board and batten siding replacement is usually between $7,000 and $11,000. Style choices and your home’s size drive the price, with labor and material costs playing a smaller role than they do for other siding materials.
How to Clean Board and Batten Siding?
Board and batten siding is easier to clean than wood shingle or wood shake siding due to its built-in insect and fungus treatments. It also doesn’t have as many nooks and crannies as other types of wood siding, so all it needs is a yearly power washing in most cases.
How Long Does Board and Batten Siding Last?
You need to reseal board and batten siding once every three to five years, so it is more difficult to maintain than vinyl siding. Properly maintained board and batten siding can last 30 years or more and takes less upkeep than regular wood siding.
Curb Appeal
Many people like the look of board and batten siding, although it’s generally considered less attractive than solid wood siding. If you live somewhere board and batten is common, you shouldn’t worry about board and batten lowering your home’s value.
Fiber Cement Siding
Overview and Benefits
If you like the look of natural wood grain but don’t want the headaches that come with maintaining it, fiber cement siding is an excellent alternative option. It’s made from a combination of sand, cardboard, clay, and cellulose and is water-resistant, inflammable, insect-proof, and doesn’t rot or decay. Fiber cement is also extremely customizable. It’s easy to paint if you prefer a simple, solid color siding and can easily make a convincing faux wood.
Cost Per Square Foot
Fiber cement siding can get pretty expensive, with the average cost falling between $5 and $12 per square foot. Labor costs make up a larger fraction of the total cost of fiber cement siding since the material is incredibly heavy and difficult to work with.
How Much to Replace Fiber Cement Siding?
Replacing fiber cement siding is quite expensive, with an average range of $10,000–$24,000 for a total replacement on a 2,000-square-foot home. The material itself is not expensive, but installation takes longer since it is much heavier than most siding types.
How to Clean Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is easy to clean and very low-maintenance. It is a popular choice in geographic regions with extreme weather since it holds up equally well to moisture and heat. Fiber cement also isn’t susceptible to insect damage, so you won’t have to spend time scouring your siding for signs of infestations.
How Long Does Fiber Cement Siding Last?
Fiber cement siding can last 50 years or more when given proper care. The biggest problem most homeowners with fiber cement siding encounter are cracks. These can form over time if the siding is exposed to extreme weather and large temperature fluctuations. You should fix cracks as soon as you notice them since they reduce fiber cement’s ability to resist moisture damage. As long as you inspect your siding regularly and repair any issues you find, you can expect it to last for many decades.
Curb Appeal
Fiber cement is an attractive siding option with many flexible styles available. Wood and stone are two of the most popular designs for fiber cement and offer a reasonable facsimile for homeowners who want the look of wood or stone without the associated maintenance hassle or the high price tag.
Aluminum Siding
Overview and Benefits
Aluminum siding is a mid-range siding option that offers a variety of benefits over other types of siding. It’s lightweight, easy to work with, waterproof, and resistant to insects, making it one of the more resilient siding materials available. Metal siding is difficult to repair, although this hardly matters since replacing an entire sheet is cheap and easy to do quickly. Overall, aluminum is a great low-maintenance option for people who don’t want vinyl siding and aren’t opposed to shelling out slightly more cash for aluminum.
Cost Per Square Foot
Aluminum usually costs between $5 and $10 per square foot. Unlike some other materials, aluminum is a breeze to install, so you don’t have to worry about exorbitant labor costs.
How Much to Replace Aluminum Siding?
A whole-home aluminum siding replacement usually costs between $10,000 and $20,000 on average, depending on where you live and how big your house is.
How to Clean Aluminum Siding?
Aluminum is rust and insect-proof, so you don’t need to pay special attention to cleaning away nests or hives. A simple wash with a hose and soapy water once per year is enough to keep aluminum siding looking new. As aluminum siding ages, it can develop a chalky, dusty look that leaves it looking dull and dirty. If you notice that your aluminum siding has lost some of its luster, you can usually restore it by giving it some attention with a pressure washer.
How Long Does Aluminum Siding Last?
Aluminum siding usually lasts 20–40 years before it needs to be replaced. It is prone to denting and discoloration, so its lifespan depends on local factors like weather, temperature fluctuation between seasons, and how much direct sunlight it gets.
Curb Appeal
Some people find aluminum siding to be too plain for their tastes, but it can be spruced up with a fresh coat of paint. It can be difficult to get painted aluminum to look right without painting experience, so it’s a good idea to hire a professional if you decide to go this route.
Stucco Siding
Overview and Benefits
Stucco is an affordable siding option made from a combination of sand, lime, and cement. It has a rough texture that hides dirt and wears well, making it a relatively low-maintenance material. It’s also fire-resistant and doesn’t suffer from warping in extreme heat.
The cheapest stucco siding can crack and chip, but more expensive versions are coated with special materials that prevent damage, leading to extended lifespans and fewer repairs. Unlike aluminum or vinyl siding, installing stucco is an art form and requires a skilled contractor to get it right. Make sure anyone you hire to install stucco siding has experience working with stucco; otherwise, you might wind up with a lackluster result.
Cost Per Square Foot
Stucco can be incredibly cheap. On average, stucco siding costs between $3 and $6 per square foot.
How Much to Replace Stucco Siding?
Replacing stucco siding usually costs anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 for an average-sized home. It can be tempting to hire the cheapest contractor you can find to save on installation costs, but you may find that you get what you pay for. It takes experience and skill to install stucco siding correctly, and contractors who specialize in stucco charge accordingly.
How to Clean Stucco Siding?
Cleaning stucco is fairly simple, although it takes a bit more time and elbow grease than other options. Stucco’s textured surface tends to trap and display dirt and grime more readily, so you’ll have to put in more effort to keep it looking fresh. You also shouldn’t use a high-pressure hose or washer on stucco since it can cause the material to crack and flake. Instead, you need to scrub stucco gently with a soft brush or cloth and water.
How Long Does Stucco Siding Last?
One of the biggest benefits of stucco siding is that it can last up to 80 years with proper maintenance. Most people recommend resealing stucco siding every 5–7 years to help protect it against moisture damage and cracks.
Curb Appeal
Stucco siding is extremely popular in some regions for its attractive textured look and vibrant colors. You can paint stucco and customize its texture during installation, giving you tons of options to express your creativity and increase your home’s curb appeal. Stucco siding also doesn’t fade, so you won’t have to repaint it to keep it looking beautiful.
Engineered Wood Siding
Overview and Benefits
Engineered wood is a utilitarian siding material made by bonding wood chips, sawdust, and other wood scraps together to make a solid board. Its primary benefit is that it is cheap to produce and install, making it a good option for replacing siding on a budget. It’s also easier to maintain than wood and does a reasonable job at reproducing natural wood siding.
Cost Per Square Foot
Engineered wood only costs $1.50–$6.50 per square foot, which means that the most expensive engineered wood siding is more affordable than the cheapest solid wood siding.
How Much to Replace Engineered Wood Siding?
Replacing engineered wood siding is affordable and fast since it’s easier to repair and the materials won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The overall cost of installing engineered wood siding across your home’s full exterior depends on what extra features you want. Many contractors offer optional upgrades, including treating engineered wood siding with insecticide and fungicide to make it easier to maintain and to boost its longevity.
How to Clean Engineered Wood Siding?
Engineered wood is significantly easier to clean than natural wood. Regular yearly cleaning with water is enough to keep it clean in most regions, but you will have to watch for mildew forming throughout the year. Thankfully, cleaning mildew off engineered wood siding is easy with a soft rag and mildly acidic solution, like vinegar.
How Long Does Engineered Wood Siding Last?
Thanks to its built-in insect and fungus resistance, it’s not unusual for engineered wood siding to last for 25–30 years.
Curb Appeal
Engineered wood can look nice if it’s high-quality, but it won’t convince most people up close. Still, it’s much more affordable than real wood siding and offers several practical benefits, so it’s a good choice if aesthetics aren’t your priority.
Stone Veneer Siding
Overview and Benefits
Stone veneer siding is very popular but exorbitantly expensive, making it suitable for people who have money to burn and who can’t live without beautiful stone siding. Stone veneer is heavy, difficult to work with, and prone to expensive issues like cracking and sagging, making it hard to choose over other options for homeowners who just want functional siding. Some people choose to use stone veneer on a small section of their home to increase its curb appeal and mitigate the costs.
Cost Per Square Foot
Stone veneer is the most expensive siding material we’ve discussed so far, costing between $20 and $50 per square foot.
How Much to Replace Stone Veneer Siding?
If you want to replace your existing siding with stone veneer, be prepared to pay a pretty penny. The cost of materials alone is enough to turn most people away, and it only gets more prohibitively expensive when you consider installation costs. Contractors that work with stone veneer siding need special equipment and expertise to get the beautiful result most homeowners seek, and they charge higher rates to cover their costs.
How to Clean Stone Veneer Siding?
Stone Veneer siding is easy to clean with a scrub brush and a bucket of soapy water. It is susceptible to mold, mildew, and fungus, so you will have to inspect it regularly to keep it clean.
How Long Does Stone Veneer Siding Last?
One of the main selling points of stone siding is that it will likely outlast you. Stone veneer siding routinely lasts 100 years or more, making it a one-time purchase for most homeowners. Its longevity and durability help reduce the lifetime cost, although the upfront cost is higher to compensate.
Curb Appeal
Simply put, stone veneer siding is beautiful. If you want the look of natural stone, this is the best way to get it, but you’ll have to pay for it. Still, stone veneer siding has a wow factor that other kinds of siding lack, making it a great way to make your home stand out.
Brick Veneer Siding
Overview and Benefits
If you don’t live in a brick house but love the look of brick exterior walls, brick veneer siding is a great option. Brick veneer siding is similar to stone veneer siding in spirit but is much more affordable. It also won’t rot and holds up well to most weather and insects, making it a nice balance between form and function.
Cost Per Square Foot
Brick veneer siding usually costs between $5 and $20 per square foot, depending on what type of veneer you choose. Some companies offer treated brick veneer that’s more weather-resistant than the untreated variety.
How Much to Replace Brick Veneer Siding?
A complete replacement will run you $10,000–$40,000 depending on your home’s size and your local contracting rates. Many people keep costs down by replacing only the street-facing wall with brick veneer, so consider this approach if a total-home replacement is too expensive.
How to Clean Brick Veneer Siding?
Like stone veneer siding, brick veneer is easy to clean. An annual scrubbing with soapy water and a stiff-bristled brush is all it really needs. Some people find that a mild detergent in combination with a regular garden house saves them some scrubbing and produces equivalent results.
How Long Does Brick Veneer Siding Last?
Brick veneer can last for 40 to 50 years in most climates, although it is prone to cracking and moisture damage. With proper moisture protection and a vigilant eye, it doesn’t take much effort to maintain brick veneer siding, and most homeowners report few problems with it. This means fewer additional costs down the road, which can become a problem for other types of siding.
Curb Appeal
Brick veneer siding has all the character and timeless appeal as real brick at a fraction of the cost. An accent wall is a perfect way to give your home a classy, attractive makeover that will increase its curb appeal and add to its value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best siding for a house?
There isn’t a universal best siding option for all houses. Many websites offer cost estimator tools that do a decent job of giving you a ballpark price to replace your siding, but they’re not good for precise budgeting concerns. The best way to precisely determine what your siding installation cost will be is to get quotes from several local contractors.
The right type of siding for your home is the one that strikes the right balance between cost, aesthetics, and maintenance burden. With that being said, there is a reason that vinyl siding is extremely popular in most places. Vinyl is cheap, easy to clean, and a breeze to fix, making it a great choice for people on a tight budget who need to replace their siding. It’s not the best option for homeowners who want to upgrade their home’s look, although there are more options available now than in the past.
Engineered wood siding is another popular choice that works well in many different regions. It’s more resilient to weather and termites than solid wood siding and offers more color and design options than vinyl siding. The drawback is that it’s not as affordable, although it’s much cheaper than premium options like stone or brick veneer.
How long does it take to put up house siding?
Installing siding takes one to two weeks on average, although it varies depending on your house’s size and what kind of siding you’re using. Labor-intensive materials like stone veneer and natural wood usually take longer to install, while aluminum, vinyl, and engineered wood can be put up quickly.
How long can a house go without siding?
It depends on the local climate, but the best answer is “not very long.” A home’s siding is its first layer of defense against the elements and without it, you may wind up with more serious structural damage. Even a light rainfall can wreak havoc on your house’s internal structures if water seeps into the insulation or support beams.
You should replace your siding as soon as possible since a house without siding is exposed to serious damage due to inclement weather and animal activity. If you’re not much of a diyer, contacting an emergency contractor will get you the fastest results.
Today's Homeowner’s Roofing Methodology
Arranging for a home repair of this scale is going to be a fairly involved project. If you haven’t conducted renovations like this – either via a contractor or on your own – then it can be a bit overwhelming. At Today's Homeowner, we pride ourselves on being able to take all of the guesswork out of the equation for you.
We’ve thoroughly evaluated each roofing type to make your selection process easier. Through exhaustive research into hundreds of different roofing providers throughout the United States and analyses of thousands of individual homeowner experiences, we’ve broken our roof rating system down into the following categories.
All roofs receive an aggregate rating between (0.0) and (1.0). This rating is comprised of six key evaluation criteria, which we’ve outlined below. The rating between (0.0) and (1.0) will correspond to a secondary rating out of five stars, which is displayed more visibly in our articles across this category.
- Durability (.40): With roofs being constantly exposed to the elements, different materials’ relative durability is a key metric that must be considered. If you’re planning on conducting such an extensive upgrade to your home, then your roof’s expected lifespan should be among your primary concerns. We’ve weighed the relative effectiveness of all roofing materials, from asphalt shingles to corrugated metal roofing from different manufacturers in order to determine the most long-lasting options.
- Cost (.25):The nationwide average cost for replacing a 1,500-square-foot roof falls between $6,500 and $16,000. Across the board, you should expect to pay between $4 and $11 per square foot of roofing material. This range will account for your location, material choice and availability, ease of access to and installation of your roof, and far more.
- Contractor Availability (.13): Different roofing contractors in different locales will have varied service offerings. For example, not all roofers are equipped with the requisite skillset and knowledge to install metal roofing. Depending on the kind of roof you want to have installed, your contractor options may be somewhat limited.
- Warranty Offerings (.12): Aside from workmanship warranties, many roofing manufacturers will offer warranties for the panels themselves. Structural failure should be covered by any manufacturing firm for at least 10 years after the installation has been completed, at the panel or shingle’s full value. We grade each roofing type by standard warranty offerings to ensure that you’re covered in this case.
- Ease of Future Maintenance and Upgrades (.05): You should always have contingency plans after any home upgrade. Maintenance is inevitable, no matter the material you use. Whether you’re installing solar panels on a functional existing roof, or are simply replacing a defective panel or shingle, certain materials will be easier to work with than others. Typically, less durable materials will score higher in this category due to their better pliability and workability.
- Customization Options (.05): Any exterior and visible home upgrade is going to have an aesthetic element, aside from functionality. A roof replacement should be an upgrade to the curb appeal of your home. Different types of roofing materials will have varying numbers of style and color options, which factor into our rating.
