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Highlights
- The cost to install vinyl siding ranges from $6,000 to $17,527, with customers paying a national average of $11,451.
- Some of the main factors affecting the final cost include the size and style of the home, the type and brand of siding used, and the local labor rates.
- Vinyl siding has numerous benefits, including durability, versatility, easy installation and maintenance, energy efficiency, and affordability.
- While a homeowner with construction work may be able to successfully install vinyl siding, most will want to work with a professional for the best results.
A far cry from the strips of shiny, pastel-colored plastic it once was, vinyl siding has come a long way since its inception—much of today’s vinyl siding is difficult to discern from other exterior treatments. According to Lisa Dunn, communications director at the Polymeric Exteriors Product Association, “It’s inexpensive to maintain because it never needs painting, caulking or repointing like other exterior cladding. It’s also versatile enough to help create any architectural style.” But how can homeowners decide if it’s the right choice for their home?
There are certainly pros and cons to vinyl siding, and the wide range of costs reflects the variations in the market, the style of the home, and aesthetic preferences. Doing a little research on the cost of vinyl siding and available options will help homeowners make the best choices and save money. Exactly how much does vinyl siding cost? The typical range of vinyl house siding cost is $6,000 to $17,527, averaging out to $11,451 nationwide, according to Angi and HomeAdvisor.
Key Cost Factors
According to Dunn, “Vinyl siding has the lowest installed cost of any home exterior cladding material, giving homeowners lasting curb appeal and value from day one.” Even at this lower price point, vinyl siding has a wide cost range that represents many variables, some of which the homeowner will get to choose, and some of which are less flexible. Less expensive isn’t always better if homeowners are sacrificing the quality of materials or labor. Still, a realistic understanding of the cost factors will make it easier for homeowners to plan an accurate budget and prevent them from having to make snap decisions that cost more than expected.
Home Size and Design
The larger the home is, the more the siding will cost because of the additional materials necessary and the associated labor costs. For instance, for a project with a total square footage of about 1,000, costs will range from $3,000 to $12,000. Homeowners can expect that cost to double for a 2,000-square-foot project. In addition, homes with more complicated cuts and applications will be more expensive to side. A second story means the installers will need ladders and safety harnesses, while eaves, gables, and corners add material costs and additional labor time.
Materials and Styles
The thicknesses, profiles, and additional elements of vinyl siding can affect the cost of the material. Siding is available in grades ranging from thin builder grade to superthick grade. Higher-quality, thicker vinyl is more expensive, as is insulated vinyl or specially profiled vinyl molded to look like wood shakes, rounded Victorian scallops, brick, stone, or logs.
Siding Width and Brand
Vinyl siding comes in panels manufactured in sections that make up multiple rows. Width refers to the overall size of the panel rather than the size of the individual rows. Vinyl siding widths range from 4 inches to 12 inches, depending on the style. While the width does not necessarily have a direct impact on cost, more expensive styles such as faux board and batten are typically made of wider panels. These styles can cost $5.50 to $10 per square foot, whereas a panel of only 4 or 5 inches in width costs between $2 and $10.
There is a wide variety of common vinyl siding brands to choose from. Brands like Georgia Pacific and Wolverine offer traditional vinyl siding at an affordable price—costs start at around $2.50 per square foot. Quality is another factor to consider, as some brands like Rollex and Alside offer thicker and more durable materials than their competitors; these tend to cost between $3 and $8.50 per square foot.
Labor and Geographic Location
Generally, homeowners can expect the labor cost to install vinyl siding to be between $2.15 and $5.25 per square foot with an average cost of $3.70 per square foot. This will vary considerably depending on the location of the home and the season. Labor will be more expensive during the busiest season (usually over the warmer months), so if the homeowner can set up a contract for early spring or late fall, the project may be less expensive overall.
While vinyl siding is a sturdy product and the most popular exterior cladding nationwide for newly built homes, it isn’t ideal in every geographic location. It holds up remarkably well to the heat and freeze cycles in the Northeast and Midwest, but the high heat in the South and West can make the vinyl prone to warping and cracking; for this reason, in those areas it isn’t used as frequently and may cost more to acquire and to install. It will also be more likely to require maintenance and repair in hotter climates, increasing its overall cost and potentially reducing a home’s resale value.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Once the homeowner has selected the basic materials and budgeted for preparation, siding, and labor costs, they’ll still have some decisions in front of them. There are various products made specifically to coordinate with siding and that will customize the overall appearance of a home. These additional elements will increase the total project price.
Old Siding Removal
If a home’s old wood siding is in good shape, installing vinyl siding over it is possible. But if the old siding is also vinyl or there is existing wood siding in poor condition, homeowners will generally have to pay between $400 and $600 to have the previous materials removed and disposed of.
Siding Grades and Trims
Vinyl siding is available in thicknesses ranging from .04 inch to .05 inch. The difference may not seem huge, but it can cause a significant price increase. Builder-grade economy siding is .04 inches thick. It is serviceable and will get the job done, usually on commercial applications or complexes where replacement in a shorter period is anticipated. Thin-grade residential siding is .042 inches thick and what many homeowners choose for a good balance between cost and quality. Thick-grade residential vinyl is .046 inches thick and will withstand fading or warping slightly more than standard. Superthick siding is .05 inches thick. The thicker grades are available in more textures, so if homeowners are looking for a customized shape, they may need to stick with those options. The cost increases with each upgrade, so comparing prices against their needs will help the homeowner choose the suitable grade for their home and budget.
Well-chosen trims and moldings can completely change a home’s look. Vinyl fascia and soffits can add $12 to $15 per linear foot to the budget. Shutters can help define the home’s style and add to the cost, depending on whether they’re wood or vinyl. Vinyl shutters cost $25 to $450 per pair, with an installation cost of $260 to $400.
Customizations
Additional insulation improves a home’s energy efficiency. Insulated siding has foam insulation backing already in place, or installers can place rigid foam board insulation on a home and install the siding over that. The price for hollow siding with no insulation ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot, while insulated vinyl costs between $8 and $10 per square foot. Insulated siding substantially increases a home’s R-value (the measure of insulation) and keeps a home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
If a siding manufacturer doesn’t carry the color the homeowner wants, they can have their siding painted using an adhesive primer. This process can also be used to refresh older or damaged siding. Either way, the cost will be approximately $3,000 to $5,000 to paint the siding.
While having gutters replaced at the same time as the siding might not be in the homeowner’s plans, it’s often a good idea. The gutters will need to be removed and reinstalled regardless of whether the homeowner chooses to replace them or not, so if they’re paying for that labor anyway, they might consider adding approximately $900 to $5,000 to replace the old gutters with new ones.
Types of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding used to come in one style: strips of clapboard. The range of choices is significantly wider now, and each option comes with its own cost considerations.
Beaded Vinyl Siding
Beaded vinyl is made of horizontal boards finished with a decorative lip to create depth. While not as common as other styles, it is a slightly more decorative option. This type of siding typically costs between $3 and $7 per square foot.
Board-and-Batten Vinyl Siding
One of the oldest types of exterior siding in the United States, board-and-batten siding was originally made from wood panels vertically attached to a house’s studs, and then the crack between the boards was covered by thin strips of wood called battens. Vinyl siding in this style is made from panels with the battens already in place, ensuring a leak-free exterior and eliminating the potential for the battens to shear away. Board-and-batten siding costs between $4 and $9 per square foot on average.
Brick-Look Vinyl Siding
As the name suggests, brick-look vinyl siding is meant to resemble brick; it is often used as an accent alongside a horizontal style. Brick-look vinyl siding usually costs between $5 and $10 per square foot.
Clapboard
Clapboard siding looks like basic plank siding from a distance, but this specific style requires wider planks at the bottom than at the top—almost a wedge shape. This gives the siding a deeper profile, creating more shadow and depth, and gives the home a richer look overall. One of the most popular styles of vinyl siding, clapboard is available in a wide range of vinyl siding colors and embossing patterns; it ranges in price from $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on the grade and insulation.
Dutch Lap Siding
Dutch lap siding is a very popular horizontal style of siding. Planks are installed overlapping each other, which adds visual interest to an otherwise simple design. It can be ordered either hollow or insulated. On average, Dutch lap siding costs about $3 to $9 per square foot.
Insulated Vinyl Siding
Homeowners who prefer not to use rigid foam insulation boards underneath the siding can opt for insulated siding, which has insulation attached directly to the vinyl. This gives the siding a more solid structure and a flat back, making installation easier and adding more heft to the siding. Most siding styles are available with insulation affixed, and the style will determine where in the range of $4 to $12 per square foot homeowners can expect to pay for this option.
Scalloped Vinyl Siding
Scalloped vinyl siding is another accent style that can be paired with a horizontal siding style for a decorative look. It may also be used to give a home an older or historic feel. Scalloped vinyl siding costs about $4 to $9 per square foot.
Smooth Vinyl Siding
While many horizontal plank sidings have a woodlike finish, smooth vinyl siding does not have this texture. Some homeowners prefer this style because it does not collect dirt and has a more modern look. Homeowners can expect to pay around $4 per square foot for this option.
Stone-Look Vinyl Siding
Stone-look siding is very similar to brick-look siding and is also typically used as an accent material. Stone-look sidings provide a slightly more natural look than brick-look, with variation in color and texture. This type of siding costs between $5 and $10 per square foot.
Traditional Lap Siding
Traditional lap siding is a popular choice for its classic, no-frills look. It is a horizontal siding that is usually finished with a woodlike texture on its surface. It is also an affordable option, costing around $4 per square foot on average.
Vertical Vinyl Siding
Vertical vinyl siding, made of boards that run from top to bottom instead of side to side, was once a staple of vinyl siding and is now often used as an accent to highlight architecture or create a period look. It costs an average of $5.50 per square foot.
Vinyl Log Siding
For homeowners who wany the look of a log house but aren’t interested in the expense or upkeep, vinyl log siding could be their ideal choice. This type of siding is a hollow-style vinyl with 12-inch rounded, wood-grain-textured panels running lengthwise and mimicking the look of a log-built home. It can be installed on any home to add rustic charm at a cost between $3 and $5 per square foot.
Vinyl Shake Siding
This vinyl siding gives the appearance of wood or cedar shakes and is available in rows and also hand-split styles. The cedar rows are usually two or three shingles high, with each shingle 5 or 7 inches wide, and they have an embossed wood grain. Hand-split shakes are manufactured as individual shingles with irregularly shaped and sized bottoms for a more rustic appearance. Both styles average between $3 and $10 per square foot based on the grade and may incur additional labor costs, as they require extra time and effort to be individually applied.
Benefits of Choosing Vinyl Siding
Wood, brick, and stucco are traditional materials used to protect and enclose a home; in recent years, fiber cement, aluminum, composite, and vinyl have been added to the list. Each type has its own style and maintenance needs, and those features are balanced against the cost. In many cases, vinyl siding comes out on the top of this equation.
Durability and Versatility
Insects won’t infest vinyl siding, a hailstorm can’t dent it, and the sun won’t fade it. The color is inherent in the material, so it won’t scratch or show scuffs. It can last for decades, depending on climate, quality, and maintenance. Unlike with other types of siding, there’s no need to worry about it crumbling and showing its age, so the investment will last.
According to Dunn, “Virtually any type of trim or accessory that has been traditionally produced in wood is now available in vinyl—relieving the wood-based worries of painting, swelling, cracking, warping, or insect damage.” With new options on the market that resemble different varieties of wood, brick, and stone, homeowners can mix and match materials without the usual maintenance issues.
Affordability
Only aluminum siding costs less per square foot than vinyl siding. Aluminum can be a good choice in some cases, but it’s prone to denting and warping, whereas vinyl is not. Beyond the initial outlay, vinyl has a lower maintenance cost over time, so the total lifetime expense can be significantly lower than that of any other type of siding.
Easy Installation and Low Maintenance Requirements
Vinyl is remarkably lightweight and typically comes in sections that need only to be nailed in place for easy installation; that also makes it a less expensive professional installation project than wood or brick siding would be.
“Unlike other exterior cladding products, vinyl siding never needs painting or caulking, and it can be cleaned with mild soap and water from a garden hose,” says Dunn. In extreme cases, vinyl siding might need resetting after impact from flying debris or a windstorm. Wood and brick are traditional cladding, but years of insect and weather damage can result in prohibitively expensive repair and restoration costs. There’s no need for regular scraping and painting, repainting, recoating, or insect treatment with vinyl.
Energy Efficiency
Unlike other types of siding such as wood, vinyl siding is airtight and will prevent heat and cool air from escaping from the home. Vinyl siding that is insulated is even more energy efficient than hollow siding. This can help homeowners save on energy bills, and it’s also better for the environment.
Color Retention
The color of the siding was present in the material before it was ever formed into the panel. The color will hold, so homeowners won’t need to touch up paint or maintain it. This doesn’t mean that they are stuck with the color they choose, however. If the homeowner gets tired of the color before the siding has started to wear or they purchase a home with siding they dislike, it can be painted.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
In theory, installing vinyl siding is simple. But in practice? By studying a professionally-sided house, homeowners will notice that there are more components to quality installation than it would seem. There are factors that someone who knows how to install vinyl siding can do without thinking; for example, determining the order of installation for trim and soffits, overlapping the staggering number of lines in the panels, and solving the issue of panels from different color batches. Plus, a pro will already have all of the necessary tools and supplies to get started.
The cost to install vinyl siding as a DIY project rather than hiring a pro may seem significantly less, but that money will be wasted if the homeowner ends up with a result they’re unhappy with. It’s also wise to consider that siding is the home’s first line of defense from the elements, and shoddy installation can result in gaps that let in water, pests, and drafts. Whatever funds are saved by skipping professional installation may soon be going toward mold remediation or pest control if even a single mistake is made. Unless homeowners have completed this type of project before, it is a wise move to search for “vinyl siding installers near me” and choose an experienced professional. Contractors may also have an online siding calculator to give homeowners an idea of prices.
How to Save Money
Homeowners who have started tallying up costs in a vinyl siding cost calculator may have found that they add up surprisingly quickly. There are many different decisions to make when budgeting for vinyl siding, and those choices can affect the cost. Even though vinyl is one of the least expensive siding options, there are still ways to save a few dollars.
- Choose a thinner grade of material. Consider looking at standard or economy grade instead of a premium or even thicker grade.
- Look at different texturing options. Different manufacturers may have varying choices as well as a range of price points. Flat or lightly textured siding is usually less expensive than deeply textured options.
- Ask about different brands of siding. Some contractors may work exclusively with one company, and you may find a better deal with a different manufacturer.
- Choose the off-season to schedule the job. Off-season costs will vary by region; vinyl siding installation costs will likely be lower if you plan the job during a time of year when the crew is in less demand.
- Look into tax breaks. If you’ve chosen insulated siding or rigid board insulation, check with state and local agencies about tax breaks related to increased energy efficiency.
- Remove the old siding yourself. This is a relatively simple process that does not require as much skill as installation and can save on a few hours of labor. Research how to remove vinyl siding to see whether it’s something you would feel comfortable doing on your own before you commit to this project.
- Get quotes from multiple contractors. This will help you find the best price in your area.
Questions to Ask a Pro
When searching for a vinyl siding installer, homeowners can seek out recommendations from friends and neighbors or check online home professional recommendation services. Once they have selected a few contractors to ask for quotes, homeowners may need answers to a few questions before deciding which one to hire, such as the following.
- Can I see photos or have the addresses of houses you have worked on recently?
- Can I also have the contact information of the homeowners whose houses you’ve worked on?
- Does your office have a physical location? What is the address?
- How long have you been in business?
- How much experience do you have with this type of project?
- Do you have any additional certifications?
- Can you assess the state of my existing siding and explain why you will or won’t need to remove it before installing the new siding?
- Do you guarantee your work beyond the manufacturer’s warranty? For how long? Is the guarantee in the contract?
- How long does vinyl siding last?
- How big is your crew? Do they all work for you, or do you subcontract? (Subcontracting isn’t necessarily a negative, especially for work like gutters or window trim, but you’ll want to ask these same questions of subcontractors as well.)
- Which products do you recommend for my home, and why?
- In your professional opinion, is the color combination I have selected likely to look and age well?
- What is the payment structure for the job, and will you itemize the costs on the contract?
- How much is expected up front, and how will we handle any disagreements about additional expenses that arise?
- What potential additional costs may arise?
- What is included in the installation?
- Will you also be replacing trim, soffit and fascia?
- What potential problems do you see with this project?
- What is your time frame for the job? Is it likely to be pushed back by other jobs?
- Who can I contact if I am unsatisfied with the work?
- Will you take care of cleanup?
- What type of maintenance will need to be done on the siding, and how often?
FAQs
The process of installing or replacing the siding on a home is surprisingly quick—often far less time than the homeowner will take to make the decisions about design choices and contractors. Nevertheless, there are a lot of choices to make. The following are some of the most common questions that are asked at the beginning of the process.
There are many great siding options, including traditional brick and wood, log, stucco, vinyl, aluminum, and fiber cement. The answer to this question depends on several factors: The home’s geographic location, the homeowner’s preferred appearance, the amount of maintenance the homeowner is willing to perform, and the homeowner’s budget. Vinyl siding checks several of these boxes. There’s a wide variety of colors and finishes, and it’s low cost and low maintenance. If the homeowner lives in an area with extreme heat, they’ll want to speak with a local contractor or contact a manufacturer to see if it’s an appropriate choice for their home. Homeowners can also research vinyl siding vs. fiber cement or another type of siding to see which one would best work for their home.
To add vinyl siding to a 20-foot by 20-foot garage, homeowners can expect to pay between $1,500 and $9,500. Adding vinyl siding to an attached garage will cost approximately 25 percent less (because one of the four sides of the garage is an interior wall). This cost may also vary based on whether the homeowner is siding the garage at the same time as the rest of their house; if the contractor is already set up to side the home, the per-square-foot charge may be slightly less.
Vinyl siding designed to be installed with the seams running top to bottom rather than side to side costs approximately $5.56 to $14.25 per square foot installed, depending on the grade selected.
Vinyl siding’s durability and energy efficiency can greatly increase home value. On average, homeowners who have vinyl siding installed recoup 67.2 percent of the overall cost.
For the most part, vinyl siding needs little maintenance other than occasional cleaning. Not sure how to clean vinyl siding? A quick power wash with one of the best vinyl siding cleaners should do the trick. If the siding sustains any damage, it’s important to have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent the issue from worsening.
Angi, HomeAdvisor, NerdWallet, Fixr, Remodeling by JLC
