Vinyl siding was first introduced in the late 1950’s as a cheaper substitute for aluminum siding, although it had a reputation of fading, breaking and sagging. Now days the techniques used to manufacture vinyl siding and the materials used has vastly changed, making vinyl siding a more reliable siding option for your home that is durable and long lasting.
Over the years vinyl siding has become very popular in the United States and is being used by a third of the U.S. market for new homes. The main reason for this is that vinyl siding is extremely durable and requires little maintenance to keep it in great condition, it is also easy to install and over the long run you’ll be saving a lot when it come to maintenance compared to cedar or other types of wood siding.
Your typical costs for your economy vinyl siding would be roughly between $3.00 – $8.00 per square foot, and this does not include your soffits and other vinyl siding trim that may be needed. You could however save more by installing your siding by yourself as it will cut down costs quite a bit.
Factors that Determine the Vinyl Siding Cost
There are a few factors that need to be considered then calculating your overall vinyl siding costs, not all vinyl siding is the same and therefore, the quality of your vinyl siding will play a major factor in your overall costs.
A higher quality vinyl siding is usually thinker and can withstand extreme weather conditions and other stresses that may cause damage. Vinyl siding thickness grades:
- Builder Grade – 0.40 mm
- Thin Residential Grade – 0.42mm
- Standard Residential Grade – 0.44mm
- thick Residential grade – 0.46mm
- Super Thick Grade – 0.50mm
Another factor you’ll need to consider is the style of vinyl siding you want to get. There are many styles which include vinyl log siding, Dutch lap, and Vinyl shake siding to mention a few. All these styles are priced differently and your cost will also increase if you want a siding option with the built in foam insulation.
Choosing a particular vinyl siding manufacturer may also increase your costs. Although most siding manufacturers offer similar siding at similar rates, the major cost difference will coming in when buying a high quality vinyl siding.
Another factor that can increase costs is if you decide to hire a siding contractor to install your new vinyl siding, although a saving can be made if your install your own siding, you may void any manufacturers warranties by installing vinyl siding yourself.
Vinyl Siding Price Estimate
The following table is a guide to vinyl siding prices and should be used to estimate your vinyl siding costs, prices will vary from manufacturer to manufacuter and from contractor to contractor.
| Type of Siding | Very Low Prices | Industry Average Prices | Very High Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Vinyl Siding W/O Soffits | ~$3/sq ft | $4 – $6/sq ft | $6 – $7/sq ft |
| High-Quality Vinyl Siding W/O Soffits | ~$4/sq ft | $5 – $7/sq ft | $7 – $12/sq ft |
| Fiber Cement Siding W/Painting | ~$6/sq ft | $6 – $15/sq ft | $8 – $18/sq ft |
| Cedar Siding Price W/Painting | ~$5/sq ft | $6 – $16/sq ft | $12 – $37.50/sq ft |
How to calculate your Vinyl Siding Costs
The first thing you’ll need to do is to measure the total area of the exterior of your home, you can do this by adding the (width x 2) + (Length x 2) X (height)
For example: your house is A single level house that is 20ft in width, 50 ft in length and 10ft in height. Your calculation should look like this:
(20 x 2) + (50 x 2) X (10) = 1400 Total Linear Feet
Now you need to take your Total Linear Feet and multiply it by the economy vinyl siding prices as stated above.
(1400 x $3.25 = $4550) – (1400 x $7.35 = $10290)
So you can expect to pay between $4550 – $10290 for the total surface area of your home but remember that this does not include any extra costs or any unforeseen costs that may occur during the installation process.
Additional Vinyl Siding Costs
| Vinyl Siding Piece | Updated Cost |
|---|---|
| J-Channels | $3.50 each |
| Starter Strips/Pieces | $2.50 each |
| Inside Corner | $6 each |
| Outside Corner | $10 each |
| Finish Strips/Pieces | $3.50 each |
| Shutters | Varies significantly based on style and quality |
| Vinyl Fascia | $1.50 – $3.20 per linear foot |
| Vinyl Soffits | $1.50 – $3.20 per linear foot |
| Decorative Trim/Wall Mountings | $5.85+ per linear foot |
| Vinyl Shakes | $6.50 per square foot for materials only |
| Galvanized Nails | $40 for 50lbs |
| Removal of Old Siding | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Builders Permit | Can vary based on local regulations |
These prices are derived from current market data as of 2024. The costs can vary.
How To Save on Your Vinyl Siding Costs
There are a few ways in which you can save on your vinyl siding expenses and your overall costs:
Firstly you can consider installing the vinyl siding yourself. This can save you a huge amount in installation costs that a contractor would of charged you. If you have experience in some home improvement or remodeling this should be an easy task for you to handle. If you are not too sure about the installation process then you can do some research online as there are many detailed instruction manuals and videos that can be found. Also remember that a poor installation job can be worse and cost you more in the end to have it fixed, so make sure you do thorough research before undertaking this project by yourself.
A few good tips when installing vinyl siding by yourself would be to familiarize yourself with all the tool and techniques used; get as much help as possible from family or friends; start at the back of your home or the siding of your home that people can’t really see, that way you can practice before you get to the more visual areas; and finally, give yourself a long time period to complete the project, that way you are not rushed and you can take your time.
Next, choose an exterior cladding for the area you live in, and the climate changes your experience. Don’t bother getting a thinker grade of siding or even insulated vinyl siding if it’s not totally necessary, this could save you a great deal in your total costs.
Lastly, if you plan on getting a contractor to do the siding installation then it is best to get as many quotes as possible, compare all the prices and usually you’ll find the price that suites your budget. You should also consider getting referrals from the contractors that you are considering to install your siding, as then you can go visit the home that the contractors have worked on and you can see their workmanship first hand.
Cost of Maintaining Vinyl Siding
When it comes to keeping your vinyl siding looking good you’ll be pleased to know that maintaining vinyl siding is effortless and very inexpensive.
All you need to do to keep your vinyl siding clean is to give it a good rinse with a pressure hose, to remove more stubborn stains a simple soapy solution can be mixed up and a cloth used to wipe off the tougher stains.
This makes vinyl siding a favourite amongst home owners because of its ease to maintain and to keep general maintenance costs down low.