Vinyl Shake Siding Prices

The Costs

• Average Minimum Cost of Vinyl Siding: $3.50 per square foot

• Average Maximum Cost of Vinyl Siding: $7.50 per square foot

Advantages of Vinyl Siding

There are a number of incredible advantages to choosing vinyl for the siding of a home. Some of the major benefits include the fact that vinyl is easy to maintain, it doesn't need to be repainted, it is easy to install, it is versatile, it comes in a number of colors and texture, the cost is low compared to other siding options and is resistant to both insect damage and rot.

Unlike materials like wood, which can be damaged by humidity, insects, strong winds or even color fading over time, vinyl is a much more durable option. Cleaning and maintenance are minimal, and the surface will never need to be repainted as long as it is installed correctly. Since vinyl comes in such a wider variety of colors, styles and textures, it is easy to match the right look to the style and design of a particular home. Vinyl can be equally attractive in a traditional house and a contemporary home. Finally, vinyl is cheaper than many other materials that can be used for home siding, which makes it an appealing option to anyone on a limited budget. With a simple installation process and the potential for DIY installation, there are even more ways to cut costs and keep the price of vinyl siding as low as possible.

Disadvantages of Vinyl Siding

While the perks of vinyl siding are numerous, homeowners should also be realistic about the downsides of the material. Vinyl siding may not be watertight. Colors can fade in sunlight over time. There are noticeable seams when installed, and it can release toxins if burned. Repair is an extensive process.

Despite these drawbacks, many homeowners are still happy with vinyl siding. Vinyl siding, if properly installed, will be water-resistant, but strong winds combined with heavy rain can cause water to get behind the siding. To eliminate any mold problems, the best course of action is to install a vapor barrier first. When it comes to repair, keep in mind that entire panels will need to be installed, rather than just a small section, so it can become a long process.

Vinyl Siding Styles

Vinyl siding comes in a number of different styles, and these include seamless vinyl siding, vinyl log siding, vinyl shake siding and solid core vinyl siding. Seamless vinyl siding, just as the name suggests, is a type of siding without visible seams. Rather than using overlapping 12-foot pieces of vinyl, the pieces are cut to fit the home. This makes it more expensive, but it can be visually appealing to buyers. Vinyl log siding looks just like a traditional log cabin siding, but it is much easier to clean and maintain over time. Vinyl shake siding is designed to look like cedar shake siding, or small, rough squares of wood that are used like shingles on the exterior of the home. Once again, this kind of vinyl siding can be much cheaper than the wood alternative, and it brings with it the advantages of low-maintenance and insect-resistance. The final vinyl siding style is solid core vinyl siding, which is one of the most popular options. Solid core vinyl siding is thick, and it has a foam core to help interlock with the pieces around it, resulting in a more insulated home and a more attractive exterior appearance.

Color and Texture Options for Vinyl Siding

Along with the styles mentioned, vinyl can be purchased in a range of colors and textures to fit just about any design style or aesthetic. The most popular color choices, and often the cheapest options, are white and beige. These neutral shades are versatile, and they are less likely to fade unattractively over time. Homeowners who don't want the hassle of replacing faded vinyl in the next decade may want to stick with these lighter, neutral shades. However, that isn't all that is available by any means. Other popular colors of vinyl siding include red, green, blue and even wood tones that replicate the look and texture of pine, cedar, oak and other attractive hardwoods.

How to Maintain Vinyl Siding

Compared to most kinds of siding, vinyl is extraordinarily easy to maintain. While some sellers proclaim that vinyl siding needs no cleaning or maintenance, that isn't the case. In reality, homeowners will need to wash off their vinyl siding at least once every six months, and more often if there is visible mud splash along the sides form a heavy rain. Thankfully, washing vinyl siding often involves little more than spraying the exterior of the house with a hose, and scrubbing is rarely required.

Accessories that Can Increase the Cost of Vinyl Siding

When purchasing vinyl siding for the home, it is important to keep in mind that any compatible accessories might be an additional cost to the buyer. While certainly not necessary, adding in vinyl siding accessories may increase the curb appeal of the home. Some of the most popular vinyl siding accessories to include are gable vents, exterior vinyl shutters and ornamental dentil moldings.

Last updated on Apr 1, 2015