How Much Does It Cost to Replace Siding?

If it’s time to give your house a big dose of curb appeal, siding is a good solution. Homeowners have a wide variety of siding options, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, brick, and stone veneer to choose from. A small, box-shaped home may cost as little as $5,400 for vinyl siding, but intricate exteriors with high-end finishes and multiple stories push costs to about $15,500 and beyond.

Which siding material is best for you will depend on many factors including your budget and desired style.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Replace Siding? 

There’s so much to consider when replacing your house’s siding. Because each property is a different shape, style, and size, you have to consider multiple factors before choosing the right material. Your contractor (remember to interview at least three local siding contractors) estimates) will help you determine the final costs.

Home Size

The bigger house, the more materials you’ll need to buy, and the more time you’ll need to schedule for installation. You can expect to pay about $1,200 for a square, depending on the material you choose. The typical house size ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, which is helpful to know when you’re estimating how much siding to buy. Vinyl siding comes in units called "squares,” and a siding square covers about 100 square feet. 

Home Shape 

If your home has a simple box shape, your costs will be lower than a neighbor who custom-built a turret on the side of their home. Multiple-story homes also require more time and labor.  

Material Types

It’s a good idea to consider siding as a long-term investment. On average, homeowners pay about $10,300 for siding replacement. Properly installed, quality siding will protect your home for decades. Inexpensive siding might seem attractive initially, but if you go low-cost first, you’ll kick the fees for another round of siding down the road by only a few years. Lower-end materials don’t hold up to weather and damage as well. 

Old Siding Removal 

Contractors often advise homeowners to remove the old siding (at an additional cost) because it allows them to correct problems with pests, nests, and rot. However, layering more siding on the existing siding can also diminish the overall look of the finished product. To save your budget from ballooning, your pro might suggest layering over the current siding if the age and condition of the siding permit. 

Old Siding Condition

The condition of your old siding will also influence your replacement cost. If your old siding is in great disrepair, with lots of chipping and wear, you’ll pay more to remove it and prepare the exterior surface for new siding. If your previous siding was in decent shape, but just a little aged, your home will likely require less preparation and will therefore cost a little less.

Time of Year

Talk to your contractor about off-season installation pricing and timelines. If they have fewer clients competing for time, they might finish your large home faster. Plus, if the company offers off-season discounts, there might be savings, regardless of the size of your house.

Location

The typical price of siding replacement also depends on location. Some areas of the country have lower siding costs, while others see higher prices. Here’s a look at average costs in several popular U.S. regions.

• Boston, MA: $840

• New York City: $900

• Los Angeles, CA: $750

• Denver, CO: $1,200

• Des Moines, IA: $700

• Miami, FL: $1,175

HOA Restrictions 

Don’t jump into a siding project without first consulting your HOA or historical governing body. There’s a good chance they’ll have an approved siding list with restrictions on the colors and the choice of material for your siding.

How Much Does Replacement Siding Cost By Type? 

It’s easy to get caught up on how much new siding will change the look of your home, but it’s helpful to know which types of replacement siding fit your budget before your planning starts.

Vinyl Siding

There’s a good chance your neighborhood has plenty of homes with vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is used widely because it’s inexpensive and durable, costing between $6,150 and $15,900. 

Unlike wood, vinyl siding doesn’t require paint, so there’s no need to spend your precious summer weekends painting. However, you will need to make sure your high heat grill is far enough away to avoid warping or melting.

Weather also affects vinyl siding. Watch for damage from high winds and extreme temperature swings that can cause dents and cracks. Vinyl siding is not waterproof and could be ruined by forceful water, making pressure washing a challenge. If your manufacturer does recommend high power washing, vinyl siding needs cleaning about once a year. If not, you’ll need to clean it by hand or with the help of a gentle hose spray.

Wood Siding

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Wood siding remains popular because of its classic good looks and relative affordability. Depending on your house’s size, wood siding typically costs between $7,000 and $23,000 for the project. Homeowners often choose durable pine, spruce, cypress, and Douglas fir siding. Cedar and redwood have higher price points because they resist rot better than the others. 

Wood siding is appealing to many homeowners because of its natural look and can be easily repaired even by a weekend DIYer, but it needs regular maintenance. Rot and insect damage are normal, and you’ll want to stay ahead of warping and cracking. You should also plan for a new paint job every three to five years in addition to a weather treatment every four to six. A complete refinishing/paint process costs $2,000 to $5,000. 

After watching a few mountain home real estate shows, you might have your heart set on siding that transforms your home into a cozy log cabin. Log siding is similar to wood siding in aesthetics and takes on the same maintenance and treatment needs. Full log (vs. half log) siding costs an average of $14,000. 

Engineered Wood Siding 

If you like the look of wood siding but have a strict budget, consider engineered wood siding. Engineered wood siding typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000. Homeowners like this option because it mimics wood siding, yet it’s more affordable and customizable, arriving pre-primed and ready to paint. It only needs a new coat of paint every five to 10 years—perfect timing to try an on-trend color. 

Engineered wood siding is produced with plywood sheets and pretreated with insecticide and fungicide, helping to repel damage. The DIY crowd likes this material because it's light and easy to install, but be careful; there is little room for error. If installed incorrectly, moisture damage is a big problem, especially in humid areas.

To avoid problems, make sure you’re properly installing siding starter strips, use the correct nail length, and leave enough space between the siding for expansion.  

Aluminum Siding

A favorite of homeowners in cold climates and on the coast, aluminum siding is priced between $10,000 and $19,000. Aluminum siding is waterproof and provides insulation, helping to keep heating and cooling bills low. It also repels rust, fire, mildew, and insects. 

Aluminum siding is noisy, known to “ping” during extreme heat, storms, and high winds. And if debris or hail flies, you’ll know it because you'll see scratches and dents in the siding. Over time, aluminum loses its color in weather, but unfortunately, it gains a chalky hue. Matching pieces can be hard to find if you plan to make repairs, and you might need new siding. 

Fiber Cement Siding 

You may know this type of siding by the leading brand name, James Hardie™, or by the term “Hardie board.” Fiber cement siding is an affordable, durable option that homeowners love because it looks like wood siding, but it’s weather and pest-resistant. The cost of Hardie board siding ranges between $4,700 and $13,300. Different brands of fiber cement siding choices range between $6,000 to $20,000.

Although fiber cement siding is low maintenance and needs once-a-year cleaning and an occasional painting, installation prices rise because the material is heavy and labor-intensive. If you need repairs later, it’s best to call a local siding repair professional.  

Brick Siding

Maintenance-free brick siding is a less common choice for hot climates because it retains heat. Homeowners who don’t worry about the warm-up will appreciate the charming look of brick siding. The cost range for brick siding is $10,000 to $75,000. 

Stone Veneer Siding 

Stone veneer siding is long-lasting and requires little maintenance if installed correctly. If not,  you’ll repair cracks and collapse as the years go on. Stone veneer siding is heavy and expensive, costing about $105,000 for the average size home. To save money, some homeowners use stone veneer siding as a decorative exterior feature or a focal point.

Cost of Siding By Square Foot

The Price of a Box of Siding

If you buy an entire box of siding, it covers 200 square feet, and you'll pay between $1,200 to $2,400, depending on the material you choose. For example, vinyl siding is much less expensive than stone veneer siding. 

The Cost of Popular Siding Choices Per Square Foot 

Take a look at a few of the most popular siding choices, like replacing vinyl with fiber cement siding. Replacement siding costs per square foot usually include materials, installation, and site cleanup.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

With the right tools and enough patience, siding jobs are a feasible DIY project for handy homeowners. If you choose to DIY your siding replacement, you'll save between $40 and $90 per hour in labor fees. Your only costs to DIY will be for the material itself, which, as previously mentioned, ranges in price depending on your preferences. If you merely have to replace a small section of damaged siding, your costs will be even lower. For instance, some siding repair kits cost between $15 and $40 for vinyl. You should also budget for any new tools you'll need to buy if you don't already own them.