How do you choose the right type of siding?

With so many different siding options available, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one to choose. Here’s an overview of the different types available and the pros and cons of each.

ALUMINUM SIDING

Aluminum is the most popular metal siding used, as it provides a sleek, shiny look to your home’s exterior.

Pros:

• It is lightweight, easy to install, and insulates homes very well during the colder and warmer months of the year.
• It is bug and fire-resistant

Cons:

• It can become misshapen over time.
• Some people don’t find it to be as aesthetically pleasing as other options.
• When it gets hit with things like hard rain or hail, it can be very loud.

WOOD

Wood siding gives your home a very traditional look. The eco-friendly material works best as a siding with pine, spruce, cypress, or Douglas fir. Some options provide more sturdiness, while others are resistant to rot.

Pros:

• It is aesthetically pleasing.
• It is easy to replace and can be easily customized with paint or stain.

Cons:

• It needs routine maintenance to make sure there are no rotting spots, cracks, or warps in the wood.
• It can be easily damaged by insects and water.
• It does not keep paint well, so you will have to repaint your home about every 3-5 years.
• It can be a bit more costly than other siding options, but for some, the look of wood siding outweighs the cost.

VINYL

Vinyl is a very popular and durable option for siding. Its versatility knows nearly no bounds as it can be your primary siding, or retrofitted over older siding on your home.

Pros:

• It requires little to no maintenance, as dirt washes off quite easily and any scuffs and scratches do not leave a heavy mark.
• Many vinyl brands offer lifetime warranties, so should something happen, you will be covered.
• It is less expensive than options like aluminum and wood, allowing you to cut the costs of siding and add those savings on to your next home project.

Cons:

• It tends to be cut in 12-foot lengths, causing the need to overlap material. In order to avoid this, you can order extra long panels, but that will increase the price quite a bit.
• It is not very eco-friendly, so if you are trying to remain environmentally conscious, it would be best to choose another siding material.

FIBER CEMENT

Fiber cement siding is a combination of clay, cement, sand, and wood pulp. The material can be made to mimic wood, shingles, stucco, and masonry.

Pros:

• The material is easy to paint and most manufacturers offer different finishes for it.
• It is resistant to the effects of humidity and temperature that tend to cause other materials to expand and contract.
• It generally comes with a 30-year warranty, so once you buy it, you will be set for a long time.

Cons:

• It is very heavy and requires specific tools and a contractor with the experience to install it. Fortunately, its durability can be worth the investment.

Check out this reference chart to get an idea how much the most popular siding materials cost.

Siding Material	Price Per Sq.Ft. Installed	Average Lifespan
Vinyl	$3.5 – 4.75	20 – 25 years
Aluminum	$3.9 – 7	30 – 40 years
Fiber Cement	$6.5 – 9.8	30 – 50 years
Brick	$6 – 11	50-100+ years
Stone Veneer	$6 – 11	40 – 50+ years
Engineered Wood	$7 – 11	30 – 50 years
Cedar Shakes & Shingles	$7 – 10.3	20 – 30 years
Stucco	$7 – 10	30 – 50 years
Brick Veneer	$10.5 – 14	40 – 50+ years
Natural Stone	$15 – 30	over 100 years

Removal of old siding will add anywhere from $1,000 to 3,000, depending on the amount and type of material being removed. Please Call Us for more details .

Siding Installation Cost

The cost to have siding installed largely depends on the type and amount of labor required by your contractor. Labor costs are different for each siding type, but in general, stone and brick siding cost the most to install. Vinyl siding is relatively easy to install, which keeps labor costs down. The labor cost of other siding materials falls somewhere in between.

Labor costs will vary depending on the size and shape of your house. Vinyl siding installation on a 2,000-square-foot house with a plain, rectangular shape and no eaves or turrets will run you about $10,000. If your house does have bends and curves, budget an extra $500. The exact price of customizations will differ, so ask your contractor for specifics.

Contractors who know how to install exterior home siding may charge either hourly or per project. Depending on the material you are having installed, one option may be cheaper overall. When more labor is required, like in stone siding installation, homeowners should choose a contractor who charges per project. And when less labor is required, like in vinyl installation, homeowners should pay an hourly rate.

Paying a contractor hourly for a labor-intensive project may hit your wallet harder than paying a flat fee when all is said and done. There could be unexpected hitches in the project that would require them to work longer hours, using their finesse to ensure your siding looks great. But for materials that don’t require a lot of handiwork, paying hourly is optimal. Likely, the project won’t take that long, and it may even take less time than they originally estimated.

Other Factors That Affect Cost

The size of your home won’t be the only factor affecting the cost of vinyl siding. Vinyl siding prices vary depending on many factors, including the siding’s quality, style, and brand. Removing existing siding to replace it with new vinyl siding will also increase the overall cost.

Factors that affect vinyl siding costs include:

• Quality: Some vinyl siding types are more durable than others, leading to higher costs.
• Style: Manufacturers can mold vinyl siding into many shapes and textures. The style of vinyl siding you choose will affect the installation process and overall costs.
• Brand: Some manufacturers are more reputable than others. Buying from a brand you trust will likely cost more.
• Siding Replacement: Need to remove existing siding before installing new siding? Expect a siding removal fee. 
• Siding Repairs: A simple repair won’t cost nearly as much as installing new siding around your home.
• Architectural Features: If your home has dynamic features or multiple angles, it can make installation more difficult.
• Insulated Siding: Vinyl siding with built-in insulation costs more than regular vinyl siding.
• Labor: Labor costs will vary depending on the installation’s difficulty level.

Bottom Line

There are many siding types on the market, but only one is the right match for you and your needs—whether that’s vinyl, wood, metal, brick, stone, or fiber cement. Talk to your contractor or a nearby siding expert to learn about next steps. They will be able to provide you with specific pricing for your area and offer advice as needed.