When it’s time to get new siding for your home, you want a durable material that looks good. So, you weigh the pros and cons of different types of siding and use a visualizer tool to try different styles and colors. But ultimately, cost is a major factor when deciding which option to choose — and it goes beyond just the upfront expense.
While your home improvement budget is an important consideration, you also need to think about the long-term return on your investment. Steel siding is hard to beat when you want the right balance of curb appeal, durability, and overall cost.
Get the latest info on steel siding costs, including current averages, how style and color affect the price, and why it’s a worthy investment in this straightforward guide.
How Much Does Steel Siding Cost per Square Foot?
The average cost of steel siding is between $4.25 and $8.50 per square foot. Of course, steel siding costs can vary depending on location, style, color choice, delivery method, and brand.
You usually don’t purchase steel siding in single square foot units. Most retailers sell siding by the box or carton. But, viewing prices by the square foot is the easiest way to compare different siding brands and styles. It will also help you estimate what the overall cost of your project will be based on the size of your home’s exterior.
Let’s take a closer look at the price ranges you can expect for different styles and colors of TruLog steel siding.
Log Steel Siding Price
Log steel siding offers a rustic aesthetic with rounded log-style panels that imitate authentic wood. It’s ideal for modern cabins, bungalows, and lodges that want to capture the natural, familiar feel and traditional style of log cabins. Log steel panels cost about:
- $5.50 per square foot for standard colors like cedar or dark charcoal
- $6.50 per square foot for premium designs with HD woodgrain patterns
- $8.50 per square foot for a hickory digital woodgrain print
Lap Steel Siding Price
Lap is a classic exterior choice for siding projects when you want a traditional horizontal look. It’s widely popular for residential buildings. Lap steel siding prices hit around:
- $4.25 per square foot for standard selections like cedar, dark charcoal, or matte white
- $5.25 per square foot for premium designs with HD woodgrain patterns
- $7.25 per square foot for a hickory digital woodgrain print
Board and Batten Steel Siding Price
With a vertical layout that creates great visual texture, board and batten is another popular siding style. It was traditionally built with timber, but modern steel options deliver a much more durable, long-lasting exterior. When it comes to board and batten steel siding prices, you can expect to pay about:
- $4.25 per square foot for standard selections like matte white or matte black
- $5.25 per square foot for premium HD woodgrain designs on metal siding panels
- $7.25 per square foot for a hickory digital woodgrain print
Additional Cost Factors to Consider
Any experienced builder will tell you that calculating the cost doesn’t stop with the current per-square-foot steel siding price. In addition, you’ll need to consider these factors to create a more comprehensive cost estimate:
- Shipping: Be sure to find out how much it will cost to ship the product to the job site. TruLog offers free shipping on orders of more than 1,000 square feet of siding.
- Metal siding installation costs: Labor costs will add to the total cost of the metal siding project. Talk to a contractor for a realistic estimate, but you can usually expect to pay the same amount for professional installation as you did for the materials. Also, keep in mind that steel siding has an easy-to-use design, and many homeowners have found it simple to DIY the installation on their own, which is a great way to save.
- Trim: Most siding options require trim, soffit, and fascia for a finished look and an effectively sealed exterior. Be sure your siding estimate factors in the cost of trim as well.
- Retailer: If you’re buying from a general construction store or large retailer, don’t be surprised if the steel siding cost per square foot is more than what’s listed in this guide. It’s common for retailers to mark up prices so they can make a profit. To get the best price, it’s recommended to buy directly from the manufacturer, which you can do online with TruLog.
Is Steel Siding More Expensive Than Vinyl?
Vinyl siding can be cheaper upfront than steel, depending on the brand and style you choose. But in general, steel and vinyl siding have pretty similar price ranges. While steel siding costs $4.25 to $8.50 per square foot on average, vinyl siding generally costs $4.50 to $8.20 per square foot, making them comparable.
However, vinyl may end up being more expensive in the long run. It’s prone to fading, warping, and impact damage. Vinyl’s lifespan is about 20-30 years, but some areas that experience extreme weather may have to replace it every 10 years. Since steel siding has a lifespan of 40-70 years and is so durable and low maintenance, it will likely be the more cost-effective option over time.
What Makes Steel Siding Worth the Cost?
Steel siding is worth the cost for a number of reasons, but ultimately, its exceptional long-term value gives homeowners a solid return on their investment.
For starters, steel siding is designed to be essentially maintenance-free. Just plan on rinsing it down with a hose to remove any dirt or dust when needed.
You don’t have to worry about tallying up the maintenance expenses that often come with other siding materials, like fixing faded paint, re-staining, or replacing panels that have warped or buckled with exposure to rain and heat. TruLog’s world-class paint finish comes with a 30-year warranty and resists cracking, peeling, flaking, blistering, chipping, and fading.
Steel siding is also weather-resistant:
- It won’t warp in the hot sun.
- It won’t rot from exposure to rain, snow, and moisture.
- It has a Class 4 impact rating to protect your home during hailstorms.
Plus, if you live in an area where wildfires are a concern, steel siding’s Class A fire resistance will give you some extra peace of mind.
You’ll also enjoy extra value from its energy efficiency. TruLog steel siding’s reflective coating and foam backer insulation help reduce energy bills. Plus, it’s a recyclable material, so the siding won’t end up in a landfill when it does reach the end of its lifespan.
Get the Best Return on Your Siding Investment
Knowing the latest steel siding costs will help you budget for your home improvement project. While the upfront expense is an important consideration when deciding between different exterior materials and styles, you should also factor in the long-term value, maintenance, and durability.
TruLog offers high-quality 26-gauge steel siding in lap, log, and board and batten styles that bring curb appeal and longevity. Plus, each style is available in a variety of colors or woodgrain finishes for when you want the look of real wood with minimal maintenance.
Ready to get the best selection of steel siding at a great price? Download the TruLog catalog to find the perfect style and buy direct from our factory!
