Siding Costs Guide

Choosing Siding

There are a few factors that can help you to make the best decision in terms of the type of siding that is best for you. The first consideration is budget and return on investment. Consider how long you will be in the home and what the resell potential is with each type of material. Your geography and climate should be the next consideration. Determine which siding is best for your home in your area. Then, of course, you will need to find the best installers. If you can’t find a reliable contractor for a particular material, it may be better to go with an experienced installer over a particular material. Here’s a run-down of material pros and cons to help you make your decision.

Vinyl

Vinyl has many positive attributes. Price being one of them. It is a budget-friendly material ranging from $2.00-$8.00 per square foot. The average 2,000 square foot home will cost from $5,500-$15,000 installed. This type of siding is made of plastic and comes in a variety of styles. You can get a shaker shingle vibe as well as horizontal ship lap and vertical board and batten as well as plank. It comes in a variety of colors. Unfortunately, it can fade and become brittle, so it isn’t the best material for regions with extreme sun and heat. Fortunately, new technology has decreased the amount of fading. It is both low maintenance and long-lasting. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to install, so it is more cost effective in labor and material. Some construction-savvy home owners have even sided their homes themselves. Vinyl is also somewhat fire resistant, and it can get brittle in extreme cold and as it ages, break or crack with impact.

Metal-steel/aluminum

This material is a really good choice for a limited budget, ranging from $3.00-$6.00. An average sized home will cost from $6,500-$13,000. Steel and aluminum are both fireproof, making it a safe material. A major pro for this type of siding is the fact that it is immune to insects and vermin, and it is resistant to any molds that can develop on siding. The best part is it is low maintenance. It is an environmentally friendly material and will keep your home cool. Like vinyl, it comes in a variety of styles both horizontal and vertical and can even resemble wood for a more traditional look, or it can give a home a very modern aesthetic if that is what is desired. On the negative side, it can be costlier than vinyl in both installation and material. It can rust if it is scratched and not repaired and is much more vulnerable to denting. In addition, it doesn’t absorb sound and can be quite loud during rain storms.

Fiber cement & composite

Fiber cement is a great siding choice for the environmentally conscious home or business owner. It is composed of fibers and cement. The cost per square foot is $4.00-$12.00, and the average 2,000 square foot house will cost $6,500-$16,500. It comes in a number of colors and styles including horizontal and vertical panels as well as in a shingle style. Likewise, it doesn’t damage easily and does well in most every climate although cold weather can cause water to freeze and expand causing cracks. The best part is this material looks like wood siding which can be timely and natural, but it doesn’t require maintenance like wood. It is a little nicer in aesthetics and quality than vinyl and will actually last twice as long. It also resists pests, rot, and mold and has a top fire rating. It is the best siding choice for those living in tropical climates. The bad news is it is costlier than vinyl. It has to be painted after 3-10 years depending on the region of the home and extremities of the climate. Also, it can get scratched, and the fiber core may show. This material also can’t be recycled and creates hazardous dust when it is cut.

Genuine wood and shake shingle

This type of siding gives a home a lot of character and appeals to the homeowners who have a classic aesthetic. The shaker shingle costs approximately $6.00-$15.00 per square foot installed. Wood costs anywhere from $2.00-$7.00 for materials and will cost approximately $15,000 installed. The most common types of wood siding are pine, spruce, redwood, cedar, spruce, and fir. These woods can be treated or painted in a number of ways to give a variety of appearances. With extreme weather changes the material can split because of expansion and contraction. It can also fade and is especially susceptible to rotting and insects in tropical regions. It can also be installed horizontally or vertically and can be in the shake and shingle style (Please note that shake and shingle style are quite a bit more expensive than other wood siding options). It comes in a variety of widths that can be selected for the perfect look. It is sustainable and environmentally friendly and often appeals to home buyers. The bad news is it needs to be re-stained or painted every 3-5 years making it much more high maintenance than other siding options. Of course, it also doesn’t have a high fire rating and the pests and molds can be a big problem if the wood isn’t well-maintained.

Stucco

Stucco is also a traditional siding material in many areas of the country and world because of its mid-range cost at $4.00-$7.00 per square foot and will cost approximately $6,000-$12,000 for a 2,000 square foot house. It is unique in that it can be used to side any architectural design like arches or curves. When it is carefully maintained, it can last forever. Likewise, it absorbs sounds, so it can be a great material to use in high-traffic areas. It provides a great deal of insulation from heat, so it is very practical in warm climates. While new stucco technology helps it to be more moisture resistant, it still isn’t recommended for climates that have a lot of moisture and precipitation. Another down-side is it can be pretty costly to install and repair, and requires more continual maintenance.

Brick and Stone

Brick and stone are wonderful for appearance, longevity, minimal maintenance, and insulation from the outdoor elements but all these pros come with a high price tag at $7.00-$16.00 per square foot totally $10,000-$45,000 for a 2000 square foot house. They come in a variety of colors and for stone, a number of sizes. Both types are classic and give your home major curb appeal and resell potential. They are also weather, fire, and pest resistant. Best of all, it will last for many lifetimes. Likewise, it goes well with other types of siding if you are considering using multiple types. The major downside is of course, cost. Besides installation, it can be difficult to repair mortar that may come loose with age.

Faux stone/stone veneer

Of course, if the price tag for the real thing is a problem, faux stone makes a nice substitute. The cost of material is anywhere from $5.50-$10.00 per square foot. It is made with cement and other additives. There are any number of types and appearances, and it really does look like the real thing and is half the weight. It also is fire, weather and critter resistant. Like vinyl it can be susceptible to breakage or cracks when used in extremely very cold climates.

The extras

Once you are ready to make your decision and get an estimate, be sure you know everything. Ask your contractor to specify whether the cost includes any repairs for damaged materials under the old siding. Also, ask if the cost includes disposing of the old siding and whether or not they will be recycling it. You will want them to include the cost of fascia and soffit around the trim and any other molding and trim because they can cost anywhere from $2.00-$7.00 extra per square foot. In addition, you will want to find out what the costs are for taxes and permits. And finally, ask the contractor if there are any other additional costs that you should know about.

DIY or leave it to the professionals

It is feasible for a skilled do-it-yourselfer to replace siding, but there are a number of reasons to leave it to the professionals One good reason is that each type of siding has a particular set of skillsets needed to do the job well. Each siding material also requires a unique set of tools. It is also important to note that hiring a professional who has insurance will protect your home if it is damaged while in the process of being sided.

Re-siding a home is a big project but enlisting an experienced professional is the key to getting the job done right and done in a feasible timeline. A professional can also advise you on the right building material to ensure that you are able to sit back with your feet up and not worry about maintenance and re-siding again for a very long time.