How Much Does It Cost To Install Vinyl Siding?
How Much Does It Cost To Install Vinyl Siding?
The average cost to install vinyl siding on a 1,600 sq. ft. home is $4,800–$5,600, or $3.30 per square foot installed depending on the size of your home, quality of siding, and the number of accent pieces. Higher-quality siding on the same house will cost between $10,200 and $11,100 or $6.70 per square foot.
$3.30 – $6.70 per square foot
The average cost to install vinyl siding on a 1,600 sq. ft. home is $4,800–$5,600, or $3.30 per square foot installed depending on the size of your home, quality of siding, and the number of accent pieces. Higher-quality siding on the same house will cost between $10,200 and $11,100 or $6.70 per square foot.
Vinyl Siding Cost
The average cost to install vinyl siding on a single-story, 1,600 sq. ft. home is $4,850 to $5,600, or $4.80 per square foot installed ($2/sq. ft. plus $2.80/LF for trim and accessories). Higher-quality siding on the same house will set you back by about $10,200 to $11,100 or $8.80 per square foot ($4/sq. ft. plus $4.80/LF for trim and accessories).
| National Average Cost | $8,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $3,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $17,400 |
| Average Range | $4,850 to $11,100 |
Vinyl Siding Cost Per Square Foot
The average cost to install vinyl siding is $4,800 to $5,600, or $4.00 per square foot, depending on the size of your home, number of stories, quality of siding, and the number of accent pieces. Higher-quality siding on the same house will cost $10,200 to $11,100 or $6.70 per square foot.
The table below shows prices for good, better, best, and premium vinyl siding using the same installer, with an average labor rate per square foot.
| Vinyl Siding Cost Per Square Foot | Good | Better | Best | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siding Materials | $0.73 | $0.96 | $2.69 | $3.00 |
| Siding Labor | $1.12 | $1.12 | $1.12 | $1.12 |
| Siding Cost | $1.85 | $2.08 | $4.08 | $4.12 |
| Accessories & Trim Per Linear Foot | Good | Better | Best | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessories | $3 | $4 | $5 | $6 |
| Accessories Labor | $6.68 | $6.68 | $6.68 | $6.68 |
| Accessories & Trim Cost | $2.69 | $2.92 | $4.65 | $4.96 |
Vinyl Siding Cost Calculator
If we apply these calculations to a 1,600 sq. ft. home with a total exterior wall square footage (for the siding) of 1,280 sq. ft. and 160 linear feet of accessories, we get the following prices:
| Good | Better | Best | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siding Subtotal | $934 | $1,228 | $3,443 | $3,840 |
| Siding Labor @$1.12 SF | $1,433 | $1,433 | $1,433 | $1,433 |
| Material Installed Total | $2,367 | $2,662 | $4,877 | $5,274 |
| Accessories Subtotal | $480 | $640 | $800 | $960 |
| Accessories Labor Total | $1,069 | $1,069 | $1,069 | $1,069 |
| GRAND TOTAL | $4,850 | $5,600 | $10,189 | $11,142 |
Cost Calculator By Home Size
With an average cost of materials and labor of $3 to $7 per square foot, we can calculate the average price of vinyl siding per home size:
| Home Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 square foot home | $3,030 – $6,960 |
| 1,300 square foot home | $3,939 – $9,048 |
| 1,600 square foot home | $4,851 – $11,142 |
| 2,000 square foot home | $6,060 – $13,920 |
| 2,500 square foot home | $7,575 – $17,400 |
Vinyl Siding Prices by Brand
The following table shows popular vinyl siding brands and their prices.
| Vinyl Siding Brand | Siding Compare Review | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Pacific | 63% recommend | $4 to $6 |
| Alside | 21% recommend | $3 to $8 |
| Alcoa | 72% recommend | $4 to $8 |
| Mastic | 31% recommend | $3.50 to $5.50 |
| Wolverine | 100% recommend | $1.40 to $1.60 |
Labor Cost To Install Vinyl Siding
The labor cost to install vinyl siding makes up 57% to 70% of the total price due to the amount of work involved.
| Materials | Materials % | Labor | Labor % | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | $1,414 | 30 | $3,437 | 70% | $4,851 |
| Better | $1,869 | 33 | $3,731 | 67% | $5,600 |
| Best | $4,243 | 42 | $5,946 | 58% | $10,189 |
| Premium | $4,800 | 43 | $6,342 | 57% | $11,142 |
Vinyl Siding vs. Other Siding Materials
Use our siding cost estimator to get an in-depth comparison of 13 different types of house siding. Vinyl siding is one of the least expensive option. The most common vinyl panels cost $0.70 to $3.00 per square foot and have a standard length of 12 feet.
This table shows a cost comparison of vinyl siding versus other materials:
| Siding Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Vinyl Siding | $0.70 to $3 |
| Aluminum Siding | $4 to $7 |
| Brick Siding | $8 to $18 |
| Engineered Wood Siding | $3 to $8 |
| Fiber Cement Siding | $6 to $13 |
| Stone Siding | $10 to $45 |
| Wood Siding | $3 to $10 SF |
Aluminum Siding costs $4 to $7 Sper square foot. Since metal siding is malleable and can be bent on-site, almost any custom work can be done to accommodate for any irregularities on the exterior of the home. It can also be painted.
Brick veneer siding costs $8 to $18 per square foot installed. Brick veneer is either reclaimed brick which has been cut very thin or ½” and 1” thick panels of clay or concrete molded product.
Engineered Wood Siding costs $3 to $8 per square foot. An eco-friendly siding material that provides durability, beauty, resistance to insects, low maintenance, and cost-effective installation methods. Some manufacturers even offer 30-year transferable warranties on it.
Fiber Cement Siding costs $6 to $10 per square foot installed. Expensive and almost double the installation cost of vinyl, it can crack easily and will generally need to have the joins re-caulked. It does, however, provide a very durable siding material, and it’s heralded for its fire safety factor and resistance to insects.
Stone Siding costs $10 to $45 per square foot. Available as either a cast product or as thin slices of actual stone. Because of the cost to address the elevated moisture levels between the veneer and the home, a poor installation might require you to replace the veneer siding.
Wood Siding costs $3 to $10 per square foot. With the right maintenance, wood siding can last a long time, but many times the expense can be more than twice the maintenance costs for vinyl siding. The effort to either paint or stain the wood often jeopardizes its usable life. Wood is not fire resistant, nor can it be applied over existing siding.
Vinyl Siding Pros and Cons
Consider the following advantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Least expensive siding material option
✓ Can be installed by professionals, or as one of the easier large-scale DIY projects (for a single-story home) ✓ Very effective in reflecting radiant heat ✓ Some vinyl products can reduce noise from the outside by as much as 45% ✓ Available in a range of relief styles that don’t limit the style only to horizontal lines ✓ The number fluctuates yearly, but currently, you can expect around 77% ROI when you sell your home ✓ With the colors all the way through the material, and some with additional UV protection, it is very effective against fading, even with dark colors ✓ Vinyl can be purchased from some manufacturers with an ability to withstand up to 240 miles per hour winds
|
✗ The manufacturing process to make vinyl siding still produces dioxin and nitrogen oxide.
✗ Cannot be painted ✗ If a plank is damaged, the entire plank, or section of planks, have to be replaced ✗ Touted as a recyclable siding material, in practice, it generally isn’t. In a 2005 report by Greenpeace, estimates were that of all post-consumer PVC, less than 1% is recycled. ✗ It is water resistant but not waterproof. ✗ While rare, repeated extreme changes in temperatures can cause thinner, less-expensive vinyl siding to warp.
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Vinyl Siding Cost Factors
The following factors impact the installation cost:
Removal of old siding – Old siding removal costs $1,100 to $2,600, plus a disposal fee of $450.
Home size – Measure the width and height of your exterior walls to calculate the total square footage of wall space to be covered. Costs increase for multi-story homes.
Quality of New Siding – Premium siding costs up to twice as much as basic vinyl siding. Thicker vinyl siding stands up better to hail, has a higher wind rating, withstands extreme temperatures, is less prone to sagging, and is slightly better at noise reduction.
Insulated Vinyl Siding – Insulated siding costs 50% more than hollow-back siding products. The mid- to high-priced products are usually foam backed. Insulated siding will reduce your heating and cooling energy bill, and it also has benefits in moisture control, home resale value, and noise reduction.
Vinyl Trim / Accessories – Trim and accessories cost $3 to $6 per linear foot for materials or $10 to $13 per linear foot installed. Common accessories include exterior corner posts, interior corner posts, J-channel, light and or electrical box mounts, water spigot and other wall protrusion mounts (split mounts), soffit, fascia, molding, trim, vents insulation or house wrap (for new construction), and starter and finish strips.
Siding Contractor Labor – $30 to $70 per hour, depending on your location. Some contractors bill on an hourly basis, while others bill by the square foot.
Layover or Replacement of Siding – Placing siding on top of the existing exterior finish is cheaper than first removing the existing siding. However, this option depends on the current siding's thickness and condition, and the new siding's thickness.
Additional Possible Expenses
Repairs – Siding repair costs $2 to $14 per square foot and may include replacing rotten wood underneath the vinyl.
Exterior Wall Irregularities – Labor costs increase if the exterior walls have unusual angles or curves or include design elements like bay windows. Wrapping window and door trim or frames, covering eve boards, or replacing facia or soffits also impact the price.
Insulation costs $0.07 to $0.25 per square foot.
Shipping and Installation – Vinyl siding panels are generally sold in standard lengths of 12 feet and are very light compared to other options for residential exterior siding. Being lighter, they are cheaper to ship. The installation process is less time intensive for the install team than when working with heavier siding such as steel or stone.
Vinyl Siding Options & Accessories
The trim and accessories, plus the installation cost, usually amount to more than the price of the siding material because of the extra difficulty involved during installation.
| Options & Accessories | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter strips | $2.75 each |
| Finishing strips | $3.30 each |
| Vents | $18.00 |
| Gable vents | $30.00 |
| Plug-in outlets | $14.00 |
| Light fixtures | $13.00 |
| Inside corners | $5.50 each |
| Outside corners | $10.00 each |
| J-Channels* | $3.50 each |
| Nails | $40.00 (50 lbs) |
*Because the J-channel is also used to trim the windows and doors, as well as where the siding meets a roof at an angle or a soffit, it is the most commonly used piece of trim for your project.
Types of Vinyl Siding
The three main types of vinyl siding are vertical, horizontal, and shake. Within these categories, you’ll find beaded, board and batten, clapboard, Dutch lap, traditional lap, log, scallops, and shingle styles, each creating a different look for your home.
Beaded Seam – One of the most popular styles, it has a beaded seam between the flat panels creating a traditional look and fits best with traditional colors.
Smooth – Panels with no texture applied to the vinyl during the manufacturing, which creates a clean finish.
Board and Batten – More often produced as siding with a vertical detail, and typically featuring a rustic texture like cedar wood grain. Suitable for whole property applications or to highlight certain features with a different finish.
Vinyl shingle and shake siding – Designed to look like real cedar shingle or shake, it can be installed in a traditional linear fashion or in a staggered style. Scallops have an overlapping design similar to shingles with the addition of a rounded lower edge; this style is most often found as an accent treatment.
Clapboard - Known for its distinctive look from overlapping boards, this is now made from vinyl and finished to look like wood, which adds a heritage look to a home. Dutch Lap, a clapboard style, is engineered to have the look of wood siding hand-carved by craftsmen.
Vinyl Siding Colors and Styles
Vinyl comes in a variety of colors and styles, allowing you to create the look that best suits your home.
Number of Visible Seams
The most common vinyl siding panels have a standard length of 12 feet and have visible seams where the panels overlap. Longer panels show fewer visible seams but are generally 25% to 30% more expensive than the standard-sized panels.
Vinyl Siding Colors
Vinyl siding comes in a wide range of colors, with most manufacturers offering at least 20 different colors. Painting vinyl siding is no longer required unless you require a color that is not available.
Color in higher-quality siding is not just on the panel’s surface—it’s ingrained—which means you're less likely to see damage to the siding and likely won’t need to do touch up paint jobs.
Manufacturers can also provide a finish on the panels that gives the appearance of stone or wood grain.
DIY Vinyl Siding Installation
Check out the following tips and google “how to install vinyl siding” to find videos that fully explain the process. The trickiest parts of installing siding are working with the seams and installing around windows and doors.
Don't hammer nails in as deep as possible or you may split the vinyl.
When installing siding, a piece of trim called the starter strip is placed at the bottom of the wall. Start at the bottom and work your way up the wall. Each piece of siding locks into the section below it.
Siding usually comes in planks that are 12 feet long and 10 to 12 inches tall. Each row generally overlaps the next row by about 1 inch.
Corners must be mitered and fit together overlapping so water gets channeled away from the trim or the siding at house corners, windows, and doors.
For a piece of siding that needs to install under a window, you will need a tool called a snap lock punch to cut little tabs along where the siding is cut horizontally. These tabs lock into the trim you have installed around the window.
How to Clean Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding should be cleaned regularly to remove mold or mildew on the surface. For DIY cleaning, use a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar, or add a small amount of bleach or laundry detergent to a bucket of water. Clean the siding, then rinse off any residual solution before it dries.
Power washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot. Before power washing the siding, check the manufacturer's instructions to confirm the pressure won't damage the vinyl.
Hiring Your Vinyl Siding Contractor
Before you hire a professional vinyl siding contractor for your siding project, be sure to:
Get at least three onsite estimates to compare.
Look for companies that are licensed, bonded, insured, and have been in business 5+ years.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Review their portfolio of previous projects, and ask for local references.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing.
Confirm the estimate includes old siding removal and disposal.
Never pay in full before the work begins. Follow a payment schedule for work completed, and get receipts.
