How Much Does It Cost To Replace House Siding?
On average, homeowners across the US report spending $12,000 – $26,000″ to replace their house siding on a 2,000 sq.ft. ranch style home, including all materials and professional labor.
This is equivalent to $6 – $13+ per square foot, depending on material, house layout, building height, number of windows and other options.
On the lower end of price range is vinyl siding and on the upper end is Hardie, wood and composite types of siding materials.
Removing old siding is usually priced in “squares” or 100 sq. ft., and costs between $50 to $100 per square.
Typical cost of siding removal for the entire house is $1,000 – $2,000+ depending on the weight and quantity of the old siding material, for NON-ASBESTOS siding.
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| National Average | $15,500 |
|---|---|
| Typical Range | $12,000 – $26,000 |
| Low to High – End | $10,000 – $45,000 |
The cost of siding varies greatly based on the following factors:
– house size
– house architectural complexity
– number of stories in your house
– siding material
– local contractor labor rates
– siding insulation costs
You can use our Siding Cost Estimator to get an accurate price quote for replacing your house siding.
House Siding Cost Per Square Foot Based On Material Type
You siding replacement cost will depend largely on the type of siding material you select.
Since siding materials make up about 60% of the total cost (40% goes to professional labor), selecting budget-friendly siding, such as vinyl or metal can help you save a lot on your new siding.
The table below provides siding cost per square foot for different siding materials.
| Siding Material | Cost Per Sq.Ft (Materials Only) | Total Cost Installed ( 2,000 sq.ft.) | Average Service Life Span |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl Siding | $2.25 – 4.5 | $9,000 – 14,000 | 15 – 20 years |
| Aluminum Siding | $3 – 6 | $18,000 – 28,000 | 20 – 40 years |
| Fiber Cement Siding | $3.5 – 5 | $17,000 – 23,000 | 25 – 45+ years |
| Engineered Wood Siding | $3 – 4.5 | $16,000 – 20,000 | 20 – 30 years |
| Real Wood Siding | $4.5 – 6 | $20,000 – 26,000 | 20 – 40 years |
| Stucco | $8 – 12 | $36,000 – 44,000 | 50 – 80 years |
| Stone/Brick Veneer Siding | $5 – 8 | $18,000 – 26, 000 | 50 + years |
Cost of Vinyl Siding
When it comes to popularity, cost and durability, no material can beat vinyl siding. Its installed on the majority of houses across the US, and the reason is obvious – low cost.
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Prices for vinyl siding start at $2.25 per square foot for materials only. Better looking and higher quality vinyl siding costs $4.5-5 per square foot for materials.
Together with the cost of professional installation vinyl siding costs $4.5 – 7 per square foot.
You can use our Vinyl Siding Calculator to estimate your cost for installing vinyl siding.
While vinyl used to look really cheap, today siding manufacturers continue to produce truly stunning vinyl siding products. The plastic look is gone, and many people can’t tell the difference between high-end vinyl, fiber cement or other composite types of siding.
One of the best vinyl siding brands that offer both great quality and reasonable prices is Alside.
Keep in mind that vinyl may not work in all regions. For example, areas that get a lot of rain, high winds, drastic temperature fluctuations may lead to much shorter life span, and other types of damage that will require costly repairs and fast replacement. Mild climates are ideal for vinyl siding installs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most economical siding | Low cost products look cheap and “plastic” like |
| Wide range of colors, profiles, finishes and styles | Budget products can dent and blow off easily |
| Color penetrates the entire board for maximum fade & scratch protection | Colors on cheap vinyl can fade quickly and unevenly |
| Resists rot, insects and inclement weather | Panels can melt if they come in to contact with direct fire or very high heat |
| Does not chip or crack easily | Can be susceptible to mold, mildew and algae |
| Virtually maintenance free – just requires power washing | Bad installation can leave ugly noticeable seams |
| Easy DIY installation is possible | |
| Boasts a high ROI of 80 – 83% |
Aluminum Siding Cost
Over the years aluminum siding has slowly lost its appeal among homeowners. It used to be the top alternative to high maintenance natural wood siding. However, once budget friendly vinyl siding became main stream, aluminum has been phased out.
That is aluminum clapboard siding has lost is popularity and is basically no longer available.
However, today you have very beautiful high-end aluminum siding panels that offer a modern aesthetic as well as superior protection in any weather.
Expect to spend $3-6 per square foot on aluminum siding materials and about $9-14 per square foot to install aluminum siding.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One of the cheapest siding materials | Has a very budget look |
| Can be installed DIY | Needs to be painted every 5-10 years |
| Does not rust: great choice if you live in the coastal area | Cannot replicate the look and feel of higher end materials |
| Will not warp, shrink, or rot | Limited style options |
| Low maintenance | Prone to denting |
| High energy efficiency: offers good R-value | Produces loud noise during heavy rains storms and heavy winds |
| Earth friendly: can be recycled | Should not be installed in regions prone to hail |
| Strong insulator |
Cost of Fiber Cement Siding (Hardie, Allura, etc)
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Most homeowners looking for a siding that is a step up from vinyl, go for fiber cement siding. Usually, James Hardie siding is the top choice. In fact, its so popular that most people consider all fiber cement siding as synonymous with Hardie.
If you are looking for an alternative to Hardie, Allura fiber cement siding is steadily gaining recognizing and popularity as a high quality material. It costs about the same as Hardie, but has a lot to offer in terms style options.
Including labor and installation, average costs for HardiePlank are around $8.5 – 11.5 per square foot. There are many beautiful board styles, colors, as well as complimentary accessories and trim options.
James Hardie is such a versatile siding that there is really no way to go wrong with it. It will improve the curb appeal of pretty much any architectural home style.
You can use our Hardie Siding Calculator to get a sense of how much it will cost to install Hardie siding on your home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designer wood grain appearance | At least 2.5 times more expensive than vinyl |
| Multiple colors and styles | Requires expert installation |
| Long lasting: at least 25-35 years | Heavy weight of about 300 lb – may require reinforcement |
| Resistant to rot, termite, fire | Needs to be repainted every 10-15 years |
| Remains durable in hair, wind and rain storms | |
| Offers a high ROI of over 80% | |
| Green building material |
Engineered Wood Siding Cost
Homeowners looking for a siding that looks like natural wood, but without the heavy duty maintenance and high cost, often consider engineered wood siding.
Also known as synthetic wood, manufactured wood or SmartSide, this composite siding is made from resins and real wood fibers that are pressed together under very high heat.
Engineered wood siding is not cheap, expect to spend $3 – 4.5 per square foot on materials, and $8-10 per square foot installed.
Engineered wood offers an ideal combination of value, great looks, low maintenance and reasonable longevity. There are plenty of styles, and colors to choose from, as well as custom designs.
Many people love the picture perfect look of wood, while others find that it looks unnatural. Still, engineered siding is a great choice for pretty much any style home architecture.
Because engineered wood is a fairly new siding product, there are many manufacturers that try to save money of the formulation, producing a cheaper siding, but one that will also fall apart easily. Its best to go for a reputable manufacturer such as LP Smartside or TruWood by Collins.
In recent years, LP SmartSide has gained a lot of recognition and popularity. Its currently competing toe to toe with James Hardie.
If you are debating between these two siding manufacturers, check out our in-depth guide on LP vs Hardie.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has an authentic wood look | Cheap, low quality products deteriorate easily |
| Cheaper than real wood siding by at least 20% | Looks too sleek and perfect compared to real wood |
| Practically maintenance free | Still susceptible to termites, but less than wood |
| Wide range of styles, colors, trim choices | |
| Green building material – uses recycled wood waste | |
| Can handle heat and cold cycles | |
| Less susceptible to rot and insects compared to wood | |
| Does not easily get damaged on impact | |
| Higher ROI than wood – about 79% |
Cost of Real Wood Shingles And Shakes
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Real wood siding offers warmth and charm that cannot be matched by other materials. Even though wood siding requires a lot of maintenance and does not stand up well to inclement weather, many homeowners install it for its aesthetic appeal.
Wood siding comes in a wide range of style options: horizontal or vertical planks, stylish shingles, rugged shakes or logs. It can be stained to maintain the natural wood look or painted any color you like.
When it comes to cost, what you pay depends on the wood grade and species. Average prices range from $7 to 10 per square foot for common woods like cedar, oak or redwood. However, exotic woods can easily cost $15-25 per square foot.
You can use our Wood Siding Cost Calculator to estimate how much you will spend to install natural wood siding on your house.
In terms of ROI, wood siding is not the best investment, because its so easily susceptible to damage and requires a lot of care. Most homeowners today prefer to buy a home with a siding that is easier to maintain than wood.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers a charming, warm look | Better quality grades and species are costly |
| Wide range of styles – a lot of custom options | Requires a lot of maintenance |
| DIY installation is an option | Susceptible to rot, warping, splitting, termites |
| Can last a few decades with proper maintenance | Needs to be restained or repainted every 3-5 years |
| Highly sustainable, green building material | Prone to mold and water damage |
Cost Of Stucco
If you have a high-end modern or southwestern style home, stucco may be the ideal siding choice.
It offers timeless aesthetic appeal that has been in style across the globe for hundreds of years. This time tested material is also one of the longest lasting siding materials. When properly installed, stucco can easily grace your home for over 50 years.
In terms of cost, stucco can be a rather expensive investment. A large portion of the cost goes to expert installation. Typical stucco prices range from $8 to $12 per square foot for materials only.
Including labor, the cost of stucco is about $18-22 per square foot installed. However, stucco can be a lot more expensive if you are looking to do any custom work, or want a custom color.
Stucco works best in sunny and relatively dry climates. It does not do well in extreme cold or heat, areas prone to heavy rains, snow storms, intense humidity, or earthquakes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long lasting material – 50 years + | Very expensive |
| Wide range of textures and colors | Repairs are costly |
| Offers a classic, timeless look | Cracks as a result of temperature fluctuations |
| Reduces sound transmission | Painted stucco is prone to mold when exposed to moisture |
| Fire retardant – can save your home | Poor installation may cause early damage, short life span |
Cost of Brick Siding
Brick siding has been used to clad the exterior of homes for hundreds of years. When installed correctly, its a “forever siding” that protects your home in any weather, does not require much maintenance and lasts well over a century.
In addition to superior durability and longevity, brick offers a classic and upscale aesthetic. Most high – end homes are clad either entirely or partially with brick.
Today, homeowners can choose to install either full brick or brick veneer (face brick) which is a lot lighter weight, but still has most of the same features. Both types of brick carry a very high ROI, and buyers are willing to pay top dollar for a brick home.
The high cost of brick is the main deterrent for most people, who would otherwise love to install this siding.
1,000 solid bricks cost around $500-800, depending on the quality, color and texture of the brick. Together with labor you would be spending $6-11 per square foot. Installing brick veneer is even more expensive: at least $10.5-14 per square foot, including labor and materials.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Classic and elegant look | High cost |
| Remain durable in severe snow, wind and rain storms | Poor installation can cause moisture problems |
| Can be used as an accent on one wall, combined with other siding | |
| Fire, heat, cold, rot and mold resistant | |
| Lasts over 100 years | |
| Virtually maintenance free | |
| Boasts superior insulation properties | |
| Increases your home value | |
| Very high ROI: 80-92% |
Choosing the Right Siding Contractor
Similar to roofing, siding installation is one of those projects that is best left for the pros.
While its possible to install vinyl plank siding by yourself, hire a handy man or a cheap unlicensed contractor, you always run the risk of a hack job.
When it comes to expensive siding, such as wood, stucco, or stone, its definitely necessary to work with someone who specializes in this specific material.
There are too many intricacies and technical details to the installation which a general siding contractor simply would not be familiar with.
Moreover, most siding manufacturers will not uphold their material warranty if the installation was not performed by a licensed pro. This is another important reason to only work with a professional contractor.
When getting siding quotes, be sure to ask for at least three references of most recent completed siding installs in the area. It would also be a smart idea to actually visit those homes and see if you like the way the house looks.
While this may seem like a little too much effort, its actually time well spent, considering that you are planning to spend thousands of dollars on this project.
Once you find a pro you think you can trust, request a detailed contract that includes the entire scope of work, all the materials and accessories that will be used, project completion time line, etc.
Many homeowners run into problems with contractors that draw up a very general contract and then keep coming up with “unexpected expenses” that materialize out of nowhere.
