Siding Replacement Cost Calculator

How much does siding replacement cost?

Replacing siding in 2025 costs $8–$22 per square foot installed for a typical 1,500–2,500 sq ft home exterior. A whole-house residing runs $12,000–$45,000. Vinyl is cheapest, fiber cement (Hardie) is mid-range, and cedar shake or stone veneer are premium. Our calculator estimates by exterior surface area, material, whether existing siding needs removal, and ZIP-adjusted labor.

Cost by material

• Vinyl — $4–$8/sq ft installed. Cheapest full-coverage option, no paint needed, 20–30 year life.
• Engineered wood (LP SmartSide, TruWood) — $6–$11/sq ft. Wood look, needs paint every 7–10 years.
• Fiber cement (James Hardie, Nichiha) — $8–$14/sq ft. Fire-resistant, holds paint 15+ years, 30–50 year life.
• Aluminum — $5–$10/sq ft. Rare in new installs; common in retro homes.
• Steel — $10–$16/sq ft. Premium performance in hail and hurricane zones.
• Cedar shake or clapboard — $9–$16/sq ft. Real wood; needs stain/paint every 4–7 years.
• Stucco — $8–$14/sq ft. Best in dry warm climates; expensive to repair.
• Brick or stone veneer — $15–$40/sq ft. Highest cost, essentially maintenance-free.

Cost breakdown

• Material — 30–45%.
• Labor — 30–40%.
• Removal and disposal of existing siding — 10–15%.
• House wrap, flashing, trim — 10–15%.
• Permits and dumpster — 3–8%.

How to use the calculator

Enter your home's exterior square footage (roughly perimeter × height, minus 15% for windows/doors), pick your material, indicate whether existing siding needs removal, and enter ZIP. The estimate includes house wrap, flashing at penetrations, standard trim, and disposal.

Vinyl vs. fiber cement — the main decision

Most residing decisions come down to these two.

Vinyl advantages:

• 40–50% cheaper installed
• Never needs paint
• Easier DIY replacement of damaged panels
• Available in dozens of profiles and colors

Fiber cement advantages:

• Looks like painted wood
• Fire-rated (Class A) — insurance discounts in wildfire zones
• Holds up better in hail
• Higher perceived resale value
• 30+ year manufacturer warranty

Fiber cement's downside is installation cost — it's heavier, requires specific cutting tools (avoid silica dust), and needs primed/painted end cuts to warranty. Not all "Hardie installers" are certified — ask for the James Hardie Elite Preferred badge.

What's under the siding matters more than the siding

Behind good siding you need:

• House wrap (Tyvek, Zip system, ProClima) — Air and water barrier
• Flashing at every penetration — Windows, doors, decks, roof intersections
• Sheathing in good condition — OSB or plywood; replace rotted panels ($3–$8/sq ft)
• Drainage plane — Rain screen (furring strips) is highly recommended in wet climates; adds 5–10% cost, dramatically improves siding life

Some homeowners spend $20,000 on siding but skip the $2,500 of proper flashing and wrap detailing — and it fails at year 8.

When to reside vs. repair

Reside when:

• 30%+ of siding is damaged, rotted, or delaminated
• Paint no longer holds (fiber cement absorbing water)
• Insulation upgrade planned (great time to add rigid foam behind siding)
• Style change desired at resale

Repair when:

• Localized storm damage (insurance often covers)
• Isolated rot at 1–2 spots
• Fewer than 5 years to home sale (buyer will likely want fresh anyway)

Insulation opportunity

Residing is the best time to add exterior rigid foam insulation. 1"–2" of polyiso adds R-6 to R-13 continuous insulation, eliminating thermal bridges through studs. This can save 15–30% on heating in cold climates. Cost adder: $1.50–$3/sq ft.

Common ways siding jobs go wrong

1. Nailing too tight. Vinyl and fiber cement need to float — over-nailing causes wave/buckling.
2. Missing kick-out flashing at roof-to-wall junctions. #1 cause of hidden water damage in the wall below.
3. Cutting Hardie indoors without proper dust control. Silicosis is a real risk; ask about wet-cut methods.
4. Skipping starter strip and J-channel detail. Water gets behind siding at bottom edges.
5. No expansion gap at trim. Panels expand/contract; tight installs bow in summer.

Warranties — read the fine print

• Vinyl: Usually "lifetime" but pro-rated after 5–10 years; color-fade coverage typically 5–10 years
• Fiber cement: 30-year transferable non-pro-rated (Hardie)
• Installation warranty: Separate from product; usually 5–10 years workmanship

A "lifetime warranty" only covers the product, not labor to replace it. Realistic replacement cost after 20 years often equals the pro-rated payout.

Save without sacrificing quality

• Skip aluminum wraps around windows if you're not repainting soon; they trap moisture.
• Choose neutral colors. Custom colors are 15–25% more and hurt resale.
• Do the full house at once. Per-square-foot cost drops significantly on 2,500+ sq ft jobs.
• Time for spring or fall. Summer is peak season; late fall discounts common.
• Consider stain-grade wood. Stained cedar lasts nearly as long as painted for less prep and future maintenance.