Siding plays a pivotal role in the aesthetics and protection of your home. It enhances curb appeal, protects from weather and water damage, and helps insulate the house to increase comfort and energy efficiency. Some types of siding may also increase your home’s resale value and provide insect, pest, and fire resistance.
While these are all good reasons to upgrade your home’s siding (especially if your current exterior is damaged or rotting), you may start to see dollar signs and wonder, “How much does new siding cost?”
In this guide, we’ll take a look at your siding options and break down the costs of each based on materials and installation. We’ll also consider how long-term durability and performance affects the overall affordability.
What Factors Will Affect the Overall Cost of New Siding?
There are several factors that influence siding costs, including:
- Siding material: Your choice of siding style and material — such as vinyl lap siding, fiber cement board and batten, or steel log siding — will influence your total cost.
- Labor and installation: How do you plan to install the siding? Will you hire a contractor or go the DIY route? If you’re going to install the new siding yourself, consider the time value of the project and any tools you’ll need to buy or rent.
- Your location: Where you live is another cost factor, and one you won’t have much control over. Regions with higher costs of living may also have higher prices for materials or labor.
- The size of your home: Your home size — square footage and the number of levels — will affect both labor costs and material costs. For example, the expense of new siding installation will likely be less on a 2,500-square-foot ranch than on a 2,500-square-foot two-story home.
- Maintenance: Most homeowners only think about the upfront costs of new siding, but you should also consider longer-term factors, such as annual maintenance, durability, and expected lifespan. These costs can add up and make quality siding more affordable and cheap siding more expensive over time.
Additional Cost Considerations
As with any home improvement project, there are other related costs to consider.
For starters, don’t forget about the trim, soffit, and fascia around your home. You may want to replace them alongside your siding, particularly if your new siding will be a different color or material than your current siding.
Siding removal costs are another thing to consider. If you’re replacing old siding, the removal of your existing siding can cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
If you’re replacing your siding due to damage, your siding contractor should also look for any structural repairs that need to be done, which would add to the overall cost of the project. Those should be completed before the installation of any new siding.
Also, consider if you need to buy insulation to maximize the energy efficiency of your siding. For example, you may choose to add foam insulation behind vinyl siding, which will be an additional cost. However, with TruLog steel siding, foam backer is included, so the insulation is already rolled into the price — and may even save you money on your heating and cooling.
And last — but certainly not least — determine if there will be any permit or inspection costs for your home improvement project, especially if the siding replacement is part of a larger renovation of your home’s exterior.
How Much Does New Siding Cost for a House?
As we’ve mentioned, how much new siding will cost for your house depends on a variety of factors. However, you can look at price ranges for the material you’re considering to get a general ballpark estimate.
When it comes to installation costs, a good rule of thumb is to assume it will be about the same as your material costs. So if you spend $10,000 on the siding, you can figure that your installation will be about $10,000 as well. For a more precise estimate, reach out to a contractor in your area who can give you an approximation based on your specific project, home, and location.
Let’s take a look at the average costs for four popular siding choices: vinyl, fiber cement, wood, and steel.
Vinyl Siding
Overall cost: $8.50–$16.20 (materials plus installation)
The average cost for vinyl siding is $4.50–$8.20 per square foot for materials and $4–$8 per square foot for labor and installation. That means, based on house size, the overall price range for new vinyl siding would be:
- 1,500-sq.-ft. home: $12,750–$24,300
- 2,000 sq.-ft. home: $17,000–$32,400
- 2,500-sq.-ft. home: $21,250–$40,500
- 3,000-sq.-ft. home: $25,500–$48,600
Vinyl siding is a cost-effective and low maintenance option. It resists rot, pests, and moisture, ensuring long-term protection. However, vinyl siding is prone to fading and warping from the sun, and it can become brittle in the cold. Plus, vinyl is susceptible to impact damage from hail, flying debris during storms, or even stones kicked up by lawn mowers.
For these reasons, you may need to repair and replace vinyl more frequently than other siding materials. The expected lifespan of vinyl siding is between 20 and 30 years, but in some areas of the country with harsher weather, it may only last 10 years.
Fiber Cement Siding
Overall cost: $9.70–$17.50 (materials plus installation)
Fiber cement siding, also known as Hardie board, has an average cost of $4.70–$8.50 per square foot for materials and $5–$9 per square foot for labor and installation. That means, based on house size, the overall price range for new fiber cement siding would be:
- 1,500-sq.-ft. home: $14,550–$26,250
- 2,000 sq.-ft. home: $19,400–$35,000
- 2,500-sq.-ft. home: $24,250–$43,750
- 3,000-sq.-ft. home: $29,100–$52,500
Fiber cement siding offers exceptional durability, due to its resistance to rot, insects, and harsh weather conditions. Plus, its fire-resistance rating makes it a safer and more reliable option than traditional wood or vinyl siding.
However, it’s heavier and more challenging to install than other new siding options, and it requires professional installation, which can increase upfront costs. Plus, you’ll need to clean and repaint it on occasion to keep it looking its best, and you should recaulk joints every 2-3 years.
With proper maintenance, the average lifespan of fiber cement siding is 30-50 years.
Wood Siding
Overall cost: $13.90–$27.90 per square foot (materials plus installation)
Wood siding has an average cost of $6.90–$13.90 per square foot for materials and $7–$14 per square foot for labor and installation. That means, based on house size, the overall price range for new wood siding would be:
- 1,500-sq.-ft. home: $20,850–$41,850
- 2,000 sq.-ft. home: $27,800–$55,800
- 2,500-sq.-ft. home: $34,750–$69,750
- 3,000-sq.-ft. home: $41,700–$83,700
Wood siding tends to be the most expensive option, and prices can go even higher for cedar or redwood.
Homeowners who choose wood siding love the warmth from the natural colors and the look of the woodgrain. Its timeless aesthetic is hard to deny, and it works well as an accent along with other siding materials.
However, wood siding does have some inherent drawbacks when it comes to durability and maintenance. Wood is flammable and susceptible to rot, insects, and weather-related damage. It also requires regular upkeep. Homeowners need to paint, stain, or reseal wood siding every 3-5 years to preserve its appearance and integrity. Over time, these maintenance needs can lead to higher costs compared to other materials like vinyl or steel.
When properly maintained, wood siding can last 20-40 years.
Steel Siding
Overall cost: $9.25–$16.25 per square foot (materials plus installation)
Steel siding costs $4.25–$8.25 per square foot for materials and $5–$8 per square foot for labor and installation. That means, based on house size, the overall price range for new steel siding would be:
- 1,500-sq.-ft. home: $13,875–$24,375
- 2,000 sq.-ft. home: $18,500–$32,500
- 2,500-sq.-ft. home: $23,125–$40,625
- 3,000-sq.-ft. home: $27,750–$48,750
Steel siding is a high-end, modern option for home exteriors, offering homeowners a range of benefits that make it an attractive option and worthy investment.
The primary advantage of steel siding is its exceptional level of durability. It is resistant to fire, moisture, rot, impact damage, insects, and pests, which significantly reduces the need for maintenance and repair compared to other materials.
Maintenance is also minimized with steel siding, as you won’t have to do more than rinse it off with a hose once a year. Plus, repainting won’t be necessary. TruLog’s steel siding even includes a 30-year paint coat warranty.
Steel siding comes in a variety of finishes and colors, including woodgrain styles that mimic natural wood siding at a fraction of the cost.
The average lifespan of steel siding is 40-70 years.
New Siding Cost Comparison Chart
Here’s a visual breakdown of how vinyl, steel, fiber cement, and wood siding all compare on cost, durability, lifespan, and maintenance.
| Vinyl Siding | Fiber Cement Siding | Wood Siding | Steel Siding | |
| Cost Range (Including Labor) | $8.50–$16.20 per square foot | $9.70–$17.50 per square foot | $13.90–$27.90 per square foot | $9.25–$16.25 per square foot |
| Durability | Prone to cracking, warping, and fading | Highly durable and resists fire, moisture, and pests | Prone to rot, water damage, and pests | Extremely durable and resistant to fire, moisture, pests, and impact. |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years, but only 10 years in some areas | 30–50 years | 30–50 years | 40–70 years |
| Maintenance | Low, but may need to be repaired or replaced more frequently | Moderate, as it needs to have the joints recaulked and may need repainting | High, as it requires frequent resealing, restaining, or repainting | Low, as it will only need to be rinsed with a hose |
What Is the Cheapest Siding Option?
Vinyl is generally considered the cheapest siding option based on upfront costs. However, the overall maintenance and longevity of the material should also be part of your cost consideration and budget-planning process. Going “cheap” might result in higher long-term repair, maintenance, and eventual replacement costs.
With these factors in mind, steel is generally the most cost-effective siding option over the long term.
Is Steel Siding Cost-Effective?
Steel siding is certainly a cost-effective option when considering its long-term durability and low-maintenance requirements. While steel might have a slightly higher initial cost compared to other materials — especially on the lower end of the offerings — its resistance to fire, pests, and weather can lead to significant long-term savings.
The “Up-Side” of New Siding
Making the investment in new siding refreshes curb appeal and can increase the value of your home. Additionally, aside from changing or improving the look of your home, it can provide tangible benefits like energy efficiency and protection from pests and the elements.
When weighing the costs of new siding, consider the pros and cons of the material and the long-term value. Steel siding provides a modern look that will require little maintenance and will last for years to come
Download TruLog’s steel siding catalog to see how you can upgrade your home’s exterior.
