Next to the roof, your home’s siding is arguably one of the most important features. Stucco, vinyl, and other siding works to protect your home from the elements, plays a role in energy efficiency, and it also keeps out the snow, wind, and rain. This means you want to keep it in good condition, so you may wonder what the average cost to replace siding is when it starts to show its age. The siding can also boost your home’s curb appeal, and the first impression people get when they look at it will dictate your home’s total value along with it’s saleability in this market.
To add to the complexity of this project and your cost to replace siding, there are currently many different types of siding material available on the current market. Each material comes with a different durability level, cost, and maintenance needs that should all factor into your final decision. This also lends to a broad range when you start looking at the cost to replace siding, and this can make it hard to outline a working budget and stay inside it once you kick the project off.
On average, your cost to replace siding will vary from $7,500 to $22,500. Most people find that their total cost to replace cedar siding with Dutch lap installation on a 1,500-square foot house is right around $13,500. For vinyl siding on a 1,500-square foot house, the cost to replace siding sits around $4,500. If you want solid stone on a 1,500-square foot house, your cost to replace siding jumps to around $60,000 due to the increased complexity of the project and labor costs. This is around $2.00 to $7.00 a square foot, and tropical hardwood can increase your cost to replace siding by double at $3.00 to $15.00 a square foot.
You’ll also want to factor labor into this project, and it can take up between 25% and 50% of the total cost to replace siding. For materials, the costs will range from $1.00 to $10.00 for materials and $0.75 to $3.00 a square foot for labor. If you’re trying to figure out a ballpark range for your cost to replace siding, this is for you. We’re going to break down the biggest considerations you want to keep in mind with this project, and you’ll be able to use it to set up your working budget.
Adding new siding to your home is a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal and refresh how it looks. It’s also great for sealing around your doors, roof, and windows to prevent water from leaking inside and causing damage. Siding Goes Up by Jesus Rodriguez / CC BY 2.0
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Siding Styles and Costs
Did you know that your cost to replace siding will depend on the style you want to put up? There are dozens of different styles available, and you won’t be able to find every material in every style. However, some styles cross many material categories, and this makes them very popular. They also work well in most planting zones and home styles. The more complex designs will drive your cost to replace siding up over the less complex designs, but the most popular ones include:
Board and Batten
Per square foot, board and batten can increase your cost to replace siding by $4.50 to $16.00. This is one of the oldest siding styles available, and it was traditionally made out of a wide plank that contractors installed vertically from top to bottom. Then, they added a thin strip of furring that they called a batten over the seams in the wood. You’ll get the same installation over fiber cement and wood. Metal board and vinyl and batten get sold and installed in sections to make the installation process easier. It works in many home styles.
Clapboard
To purchase and install this type of siding, your cost to replace siding will be lower at $2.50 to $14.00 a square foot. This is a traditional horizontal lap siding choice, and each plank gets placed on your home like a wedge. The bottom wedge is thicker than the top, and each plank will overlap the one below it. The thick edge goes over the thinner one. This gives you an even installation up the wall. You can choose from different materials with this style, including wood, vinyl, and fiber cement.
Dutch Lap
Depending on the material, your cost to replace siding with the Dutch lap style will range from $2.00 to $11.00 a square foot. You’ll get a horizontal lap siding that comes with a concave section at the top of each plank. The row above will cast a small shadow on the row below, and this adds interest and depth to your home. It’s one of the most popular options available, and you can find it in fiber cement, vinyl, wood, and metal. It’s one of the easier styles to install, and this can lower your labor costs.
Panel
Your average cost to replace siding with panel will range from $6.00 to $35.00 a square foot. The panels are available in cement, wood, or metal, and you can choose from corrugated, textured, smooth, or ribbed. They can also have a wood grain or standing seams, and they work very well if you have a modern or contemporary-style home. You’ll install them vertically to lend a very sleek look to your home, and they can install either seamlessly or have a small reveal around the edge.
Shake
On average, shake siding will add between $10.00 and $20.00 a square foot to your cost to replace siding budget. Shakes are very similar in appearance to shingles. However, shingles are usually made by machine while shakes get hand split. This makes the shakes more irregular, thicker, and larger. They’re great for a rustic design style, and you install them one by one on fiber cement or wood. They give you a rougher reveal along the bottom edge.
Shingle
Siding made from shingles will add to your cost to replace siding by $4.50 to $18.00 a square foot. You can choose from fiber cement, vinyl, or wood shingles. Wooden shingles give you uniform but individual pieces that you overlap during the installation process. Fiber cement and vinyl shingles come in rows to install faster. They can have staggered or straight edges to them, and you can choose from a uniform or varied size.
The siding style you pick out will influence your total costs because some are more labor-intensive to put up than others and labor is a large part of your total costs. Simple styles go up quicker than more complex ones, and this can help control your costs. Housing Siding Redo by RyanIsHungry / CC BY-NC 2.0
Price Points for Different Materials
One of the biggest factors that will influence your cost to replace siding is the material you pick out. There are many types of material available, and each one comes in different sizes, styles, manufacturers, and thicknesses. This makes the cost range fluctuate, but the most popular materials and their price points are as follows:
Aluminum
Per square foot installed, aluminum will add $4.00 to $7.00 to your cost to replace siding. Aluminum is a lower-cost alternative to wood, and it’s one of the first siding types available. Aluminum does require a coat of metal paint every few years, but it’s less maintenance-intensive than wood. Also, aluminum is easy to dent, so you may have to repair it more to keep it looking nice. It comes in several color options and a few lap siding styles, but it’s not as versatile as other materials.
Brick
For brick, your cost to replace siding will fluctuate between $12.00 and $35.00 a square foot for a higher-end price. You can get brick siding made in several ways. You can choose from full bricks, panels, or handmade. Each material has a different installation method, look, and price point. Generally speaking, brick is very long-lasting and durable once you get it installed. It’s easy to care for and low maintenance, and most bricks can easily last 100 years with proper care.
Brick Veneer
If you want a lower cost to replace siding, brick veneer ranges from $6.00 to $9.00 a square foot. This is a very thin brick, and people call it face brick due to the look. You can have it installed on any home’s exterior. Even though it’s not nearly as thick as standard brick, it can last for decades with proper care. Additionally, brick is rot-resistant, water resistant, and it’s flame-retardant.
Engineered Wood
The cost to replace siding with this option ranges from $6.00 to $17.00 a square foot. Engineered wood comes made in several ways, and most have glue, resin, wax, and wood pulp for their makeup. This makes this type of wood very lightweight but durable, and it has lower maintenance needs than standard wood. You can choose from several colors and styles, depending on the type you want. It can have the same texture and look as you’d get with natural wood because it comes made in a mold.
Fiber Cement
Per square foot installed, fiber cement will increase your cost to replace siding budget by $6.00 to $13.00. This siding comes made from silica, sand, cellulose fiber, and Portland cement. It uses a mold to give it the texture and shape of other types of materials like stone, stucco, or wood. It has lower maintenance needs and it’s more durable than vinyl or wood. It comes in many styles and can last upwards of 50 years, and it can also complement many homes, including historical ones.
Natural Stone
Solid natural stone siding is very attractive, but it has a higher cost associated with it. Your cost to replace siding will range from $19.00 to $45.00 a square foot, and it comes in several types and styles. You can get it made from natural rocks or cut pieces of stone that get formed into blocks. The stone can be marble, granite, slate, or sandstone. Each has different characteristics and looks to it, but it’s a very heavy choice. You may have to have reinforcement or anchors to install it and keep it in place, and some building codes have a 15-pound limit per square foot.
Plywood
T-111 or plywood siding is very cost-effective when it comes to your cost to replace siding. You’ll pay between $2.00 and $3.00 a square foot, and it’s the most basic siding material available. It comes with vertical grooves that give it texture and boost your home’s curb appeal. It’s popular for use in small areas, or you can use it as an accent or cover for sheds or outbuildings. However, it requires a lot of maintenance and it won’t last very long. You have to paint it to prevent warping and disguise that it’s plywood.
Steel
Steel has a price range of $6.00 to $9.00 a square foot, and this is at the mid-range for your cost to replace siding. Steel is very versatile and durable, and it comes in lap siding designs that can float over your home’s exterior to hide flaws. You can pick out an insulated log look siding too that you don’t have to paint. It’s insect, moisture, and flame-resistant, and it can last for decades. Additionally, steel is 100% recyclable to make it more eco-friendly.
Stone Veneer
Your cost to replace siding with stone veneer starts at $12.00 and goes up to $22.00 a square foot. You can pick from many different forms, including a blend, thin pieces of real stone, or cement. You can get it classified as natural or manufactured. Each type of stone veneer comes with different installation methods and costs. Manufactured stone veneer has a lower price tag attached to it, and it’s easier to install. Any type of stone veneer can boost your home’s value.
Stucco
The average cost to replace siding with stucco starts at $6.00 and goes up to $8.00. There are three types of stucco, and each type has different characteristics attached to them. Traditional stucco is known as three-coat stucco, and it’s the most common type because it has the more texture and finish variation. One-coat stucco helps to control your costs and External Insulation and Finishing Systems are more energy-efficient. Stucco gives you a durable and long-lasting finish, and you can paint or tint it a huge range of colors.
Vinyl
Vinyl will take your average cost to replace siding to $2.50 to $13.00 a square foot. Vinyl is available in several colors and styles, and you can get thin and hollow designs or ones that are thicker and easier to work with. Others come pre-insulated to help with your energy-efficiency. Vinyl won’t last as long as other siding materials since it’s plastic, and it’s not easy to get rid of. So, it’s not a green or eco-friendly material. This siding does have lower maintenance needs, and you won’t have to paint or repaint it to keep the coloring.
Wood
Finally, wood will cause your cost to replace siding to go up by $2.00 to $35.00 a square foot. This price estimate encompasses all types of wood siding from plywood and basic pine to more exotic hardwoods like ipe. Cedar is the most popular choice. Wood siding comes in several forms and styles, and you can get it sold as shakes, shingles, panels, or planks. You can stain it to show the grain of the wood, or you can paint it virtually any color. This makes it one of the most versatile types of siding available.
Siding materials are one of the biggest factors that will go into your final project costs. Some materials like stone are extremely expensive while plywood is on the lower cost spectrum. Decide which look you want and see which material will help you achieve this look the easiest. P1010431 by Jeremy Noble / CC BY 2.0
Price to Replace Insulated Siding
Adding a layer of insulation below your siding gives you a very tight building envelope, and this can reduce how much energy you use to keep your home comfortable all year-round. Insulation can fit below any type of siding, and it’s usually added in a rigid foam board like XPS or IPS. In addition to your siding cost, insulation will increase your total cost to replace siding by $2.00 to $4.00 a square foot.
It’s also possible for you to buy insulated siding, and this will reduce your overall labor costs because everything comes together as a single layer rather than having to install two layers. You can pick out insulated steel siding and insulated vinyl siding.
If you pick out insulated vinyl siding, your cost to replace siding will increase by $8.00 to $10.00 a square foot for materials. Labor will add another $2.00 to $4.00 a square foot. If you choose insulated metal siding, the cost will fall between $5.00 and $6.00 for materials with an additional $2.00 to $4.00 a square foot for labor.
Installing Siding Labor Costs
If you build an extension on your existing home, you’ll need siding. The labor costs to install brand new siding depends on the material you pick out. The siding will also influence your costs, and some styles or brands come with proprietary installation instructions that can make the project more complex or easier. This can influence your pcies, and the average labor costs by material and per square foot are:
- Brick – $2.00 to $20.00 a square foot
- Fiber Cement – $2.00 to $3.00 a square foot
- Metal – $2.00 to $4.00 a square foot
- Stone – $7.00 to $15.00 a square foot
- Stucco – $2.00 to $10.00 a square foot
- Vinyl – $1.00 to $3.00 a square foot
- Wood – $1.00 to $5.00 a square foot
Labor Costs to Replace Siding
The labor costs associated with replacing siding have several factors that can cause them to fluctuate. To install new siding, your costs will be identical to siding a new extension or home. You’ll have additional costs associated with removing the old siding, performing any needed repairs before the new siding goes up, and disposing of the old siding. We’ll list the average cost to replace siding based on type below. They include the cost to remove old siding and dispose of it, along with installing the same type of siding without any major repairs:
- Wood – $2.00 to $8.00 a square foot
- Metal – $3.00 to $7.00 a square foot
- Fiber Cement – $3.00 to $6.00 a square foot
- Vinyl – $3.00 to $8.00 a square foot
- Stucco – $5.00 to $12.00 a square foot
- Stone – $12.00 to $25.00 a square foot
- Brick – $12.00 to $35.00 a square foot
Optional Cost Factors
There are several factors that can increase your cost to replace siding. Some of them are optional, but some can be unpleasant additions if you forget to factor them into your original costs. The biggest factors to keep in mind include:
Exterior Trim
To complete the installation process, most types of siding need trim. Trim will cover your siding’s ends. It works to finish the edges of your home and any frames on your windows and doors. On average, this will increase your cost to replace siding by $1,800 to $2,000.
Flashing
Flashing is a very thin layer of weather-resistant material like metal that you install around doors and windows. It helps to prevent water from seeping into your siding. You’ll also install it around your foundation to direct water to flow away from your home. For a 1,500-square foot home, installing flashing will increase your cost to replace siding by $200 to $400.
Gutter Installation
When you’re figuring out your cost to replace siding, it’s an excellent time to install gutters. Gutters help carry water away from your home’s foundation, and this helps the foundation last longer. Gutters are available in several materials and styles, and the average cost is just over $1,000.
Painting
A lot of sidings come prefinished and other types don’t need any paint. However, you’ll want to paint it if it doesn’t come prefinished as part of the installation process. Aluminum and wood need ongoing maintenance that includes repainting it every few years. This can add between $1,800 and $2,500 to your cost to replace siding.
Removal
How much you pay someone to remove the old siding will vary. The condition, siding type, and disposal method will all come into play. For the average home, your siding removal cost will range from $1,000 to $2,000. Sidings that are very dense, heavy, or difficult to get rid of can increase your costs even more.
Soffit Installation
Soffit is a part of the trim on your home. It goes on the underside of your rafters on your roof, and it helps to ventilate your crawl spaces or attic. Soffits usually use the same material as your siding or trim to help them blend in. You can get them in vinyl, wood, fiber cement, or metal. They also come in several colors and finishes, and the cost will typically get added into your trim installation prices. By themselves, they’ll increase your cost to replace siding by $200 to $400.
Where to Find Siding Replacement Experts Near You
If you’re trying to figure out your cost to replace siding, you’ll want to start by calling around to local companies to get a few estimates. Doing so will give you a realistic budget to work with, and you can start looking here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Asking questions when you contact your local contractors can help you get a more realistic working estimate for this project. Make sure to see if you need permits and whether or not the contractor’s estimate includes this cost. Siding! By Brian Brooks / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
1. Does siding come with a warranty?
Most siding materials do come with a warranty attached to them. The warranty can be on the installation, finish, or protect against defects. The warranties can last anywhere from 1 year to 50 years, and the installer and manufacturer will dictate the warranty length and what it covers.
2. Do you need a permit to replace siding?
Most areas do require that you have a permit before you start replacing your siding. You want to talk to your local city or town hall about whether there are any restrictions to worry about and the permit process. On average, you can set aside anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
3. How do you figure out how much siding you need?
Manufacturers sell siding by the square foot. You want to measure each area’s height and width before multiplying them together to get your square footage. Add up each of these numbers to get your total square footage. Add 10% for waste to get a rough estimate on how much siding you need.
Bottom Line
There are several factors that go into your total cost to replace siding. We’ve picked out the biggest ones that you should look at when you budget for this project. Doing so will help you get a good estimate to have in your mind when you contact your local contractors and complete this project.
Jen is a master gardener, interior designer and home improvement expert. She has completed many home improvement, decor and remodeling projects with her family over the past 10 years on their 4,500 sf Victorian house. She is also a passionate farmer who keeps goats, chickens, turkeys cows and pigs on her farm, and an instructor for her community’s Organic and Sustainable Farming project.