How much does vinyl siding cost per square foot?
Here's a breakdown of the average vinyl siding cost, installed with insulation:
| National Minimum Cost | $1 per square foot |
| National Maximum Cost | $6 per square foot |
| National Average Cost | $5 per square foot |
Vinyl siding materials and styles
Vinyl siding mimics the look of exterior wood siding at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Unlike wood, it doesn't need painting, it won't warp or twist, and it can stand up to termites. It lasts 20 to 40 years, so the long-term cost is low. There are three basic types of vinyl siding. Each mimics a different type of wood siding, and siding installation prices vary by style.
Board and batten looks like alternating narrow and wide wood planks. It's sometimes called barn siding, and it gives a home a classic look.
Shake looks like the wood shingles found in traditional architecture. It comes in a variety of shingle shapes and sizes, including rough split shake, which has irregularly sized shingles that look hand-hewn like cedar siding; round cuts, also called fish scale or half-round shingles that go with Victorian or bungalow style homes; and classic shake that has uniformly sized shingles.
Clapboard has a profile that imitates horizontal boards. It's also called traditional lap, or horizontal lap board.
In addition to wood-style siding, vinyl stone siding is also available in various stone colors, shapes, and textures. Stone siding is pricier than the vinyl siding styles listed above, and will increase the total cost of your project.
Vinyl siding grades
There are four grades of vinyl siding, and they're measured by thickness. The thicker the material, the higher the siding cost, and the better it will insulate your home.
Builder Grade, also called economy siding, is .04 inches thick
Thin Residential Grade vinyl is .042 inches thick
Thick Residential vinyl is .046 inches thick
Super-Thick Grade vinyl is .05 inches thick
Vinyl siding trim
Soffits and Fascia are types of trim. The soffit covers the underside of an eave, and a fascia covers the band under the edge of the roof. You can get vinyl soffits and fascias. Costs vary, but & Son Home Exteriors in Joshua, TX charges $12 to $15 per linear foot for trim.
Shutters come in vinyl, too. You can get raised panel, louvered, and board and batten shutters. You can also get transom and arch tops. You can buy them in a range of colors, and you can paint them later if you want a new look.
What you need to know before you buy
Learn how much siding you'll need and about siding installation.
Buy the right amount.
An installer will calculate exactly how much siding your home needs, and they'll do so by measuring the area of your house's exterior, in feet. Siding is sold by the square with a square being enough to cover 100 square feet. The typical 2,300-square foot house will need around 20 squares of siding. Many companies will give free estimates.
Get it installed correctly.
Let a pro do the installing job. If your old siding is in good shape, the new vinyl can go over it. But if your old siding is damaged, it needs to come off the house and the wall behind it needs to be checked for water damage. Texas-based & Son charges $20 per square (100 square feet) to remove old siding before installing new vinyl siding. If you're taking off the old siding, install a moisture barrier beneath the new siding and add flashing around doors and windows to keep water out.
Take care of it so it lasts.
Vinyl siding lasts between 20 and 40 years, depending on its thickness, but it's susceptible to leaks, particularly where it meets windows and doors. Keep an eye out for mold or mildew on siding, warping, or loose pieces of siding. If you spot any of these problems, call a professional to make repairs before the leaky siding turns into thousands of dollars in structural damage to your home.
Many homeowners consider fiber cementa material that mimics wood sidingwhen starting an exterior siding project because fiber cement panels last at least 25 years with little maintenance. Vinyl siding can last just as long, but more frequent. Fiber cement is also cheaper to install, for both the siding materials and labor.
Features to consider
Additional factors affect total siding cost. Choose vinyl siding with an eye to these features that can make it stronger and more attractive.
Double Nailing Hem
Good vinyl siding has a double-layered mounting hem, meaning it's thicker where it's nailed to the house. This gives the panels a stronger grip on the house exterior, and provides better resistance to high wind than a single-layer hem. It's a must if you live in the hurricane belt or any area prone to tornadoes.
Deep Lap Profiles
For clapboard-style vinyl siding, a profile that's þ-inch or higher looks more like real wood. That's because it casts a wider shadow between the faux planks. Deeper laps are also more rigid and won't be wavy-looking when put on the house.
Siding Insulation
Some siding is backed with insulation. If you buy non-insulated siding, you can install thin foam inserts in the clapboards or thicker foam panels on the house before the siding is hung. The foam backing also makes the siding more rigid so it hangs better. Siding insulation that's ü-inch thick costs $13 a square ($1.30 a square foot), according to & Son Home Exteriors; þ-inch insulation costs $60 a square ($6 per square foot.)
Panel Length
Standard siding panels are 12 feet long. Longer panels are 16 feet long. Longer panels reduces the number of seams on the wall, making the siding look better.
How to hire a home exterior pro
On average nationwide, installing vinyl siding costs between $2 and $6 per square foot. Siding cost varies depending on the size of your house, the type of siding you use, and labor costs. The average total cost for a medium grade vinyl siding project with 3/8-inch insulation is $5 per square foot.