Siding Cost Estimator
How to Use the Siding Cost Estimator Enter your house perimeter, number of stories, count of doors and windows (which are deducted), select the siding material, and choose whether to include removal of old siding and new house wrap installation. The estimator gives a complete material and labour cost breakdown, cost per square foot, and […]
How to Use the Siding Cost Estimator
Enter your house perimeter, number of stories, count of doors and windows (which are deducted), select the siding material, and choose whether to include removal of old siding and new house wrap installation. The estimator gives a complete material and labour cost breakdown, cost per square foot, and a realistic project range.
New siding consistently returns 75–85% of cost at resale according to annual Cost vs Value reports — making it one of the best-performing exterior renovation projects. The curb appeal impact is immediate and significant.
Siding Material Comparison Guide (2026)
Vinyl siding at $3–$8 per square foot installed is the most popular choice in the US — low maintenance, lightweight, and available in a wide range of colours and profiles. Mid-range vinyl (0.044–0.048 inch thickness) is significantly more durable than budget-grade thin vinyl. Fiber cement siding (HardiePlank and similar products) at $8–$13 per square foot installed is fire-resistant, insect-proof, and warranted for 30 years. It must be painted every 10–15 years but resists fading far better than wood. Cedar and other natural wood siding at $10–$25 per square foot installed offers unmatched authentic appearance but requires paint or stain every 5–7 years to prevent rot. Brick veneer at $12–$35 per square foot is the most permanent and durable option with essentially no maintenance requirement after installation.
House Wrap and Moisture Management
House wrap (Tyvek, Typar, or similar products) is the moisture barrier installed under siding that protects the wall sheathing from rain that gets behind the siding. On a re-siding project, if the existing house wrap is over 20 years old or shows signs of deterioration, replacing it adds $0.40–$0.60 per square foot but significantly extends the life of the siding and prevents rot. For older homes with no house wrap or with degraded building paper, adding house wrap during re-siding is strongly recommended — it can prevent thousands of dollars in rot damage over the next 20 years.
When to Replace Siding
Clear signs that siding replacement is warranted include: visible rot, warping, or cracking; paint peeling within 2–3 years of repainting (moisture is getting behind the siding); obvious gaps at seams and corners; interior walls feeling cold or damp near exterior walls (insulation may be wet); mould or mildew on interior walls near the exterior. Cosmetic fading and chalking alone are not usually sufficient reasons to replace — pressure washing and a fresh coat of paint on wood or fiber cement siding can extend life 10–15 years at a fraction of replacement cost.
FAQs
How long does vinyl siding last?
Quality vinyl siding (0.044–0.048 inch thickness, from a reputable manufacturer) typically lasts 25–40 years. Budget vinyl (under 0.040 inch) may show significant fading, warping, and brittleness within 10–15 years. The primary failure modes for vinyl are colour fading (UV degradation), cracking from impact in cold weather when the material is brittle, and buckling from improper installation (not allowing for thermal expansion). Vinyl siding should never be nailed tight — it needs to hang loosely to accommodate movement of up to 1/2 inch in temperature extremes.
Can I install siding over old siding?
Vinyl siding can technically be installed over existing wood or aluminum siding if the existing surface is flat, structurally sound, and free of moisture damage. This saves the tear-off cost ($1.50–$2.50/sq ft) but has drawbacks: you cannot inspect the sheathing and house wrap underneath, the added thickness affects window and door trim depths, and the combined thickness can exceed code in some jurisdictions. Most professionals recommend tear-off, especially on homes over 20 years old where moisture damage to sheathing is common.