How much does it cost to replace siding on a house?

Replacing siding on a typical 2,000 sq ft home costs $8,000–$20,000 for vinyl, $14,000–$28,000 for fiber cement, and $18,000–$40,000 for engineered wood or real wood. Metal siding runs $15,000–$35,000. These ranges include removal of old siding, installation, and finishing trim. Regional labor rates account for a 20–35% cost spread above or below these midpoints.

How long does siding last?

Vinyl siding lasts 20–40 years depending on UV exposure and climate. Fiber cement (James Hardie, LP SmartSide) lasts 30–50 years with periodic repainting. Wood siding lasts 20–40 years with regular paint and caulk maintenance; neglected wood fails in 10–15 years. Metal siding (aluminum, steel) lasts 40–60+ years. Climate, maintenance, and original installation quality all affect actual lifespan.

Does new siding increase home value?

Fiber cement siding replacement historically recoups 75–90% of cost at resale, making it one of the stronger exterior investments. Vinyl siding recoups 65–80%. The value case is strongest when old siding is visibly failing, stained, or dated — buyers price in the work they expect to do. On a home with otherwise updated features, new siding significantly improves curb appeal and marketability.

Can I put new siding over old siding?

Technically yes — vinyl siding can be installed over existing siding to avoid tear-off costs. However, overlaying hides potential moisture damage, reduces the effectiveness of new insulation layers, and adds weight that some older wall structures weren't designed to carry. Most professional siding contractors recommend full removal; the additional $1,500–$3,500 in tear-off labor is often worth it for the ability to inspect and remediate the sheathing beneath.

Do I need a permit to replace siding?

In most jurisdictions, in-kind siding replacement doesn't require a permit. However, adding rigid foam insulation beneath the new siding, replacing more than a certain percentage of sheathing, or changing the siding type may trigger a permit requirement in some municipalities. Check with your local building department before starting — unpermitted siding work can complicate homeowner's insurance claims if moisture damage occurs.

Siding Replacement Cost Guide 2026: Vinyl, Fiber Cement, Wood, and Metal Compared

July 17, 2026 · Cost Guide · 6 min read

Replacing siding on a 2,000 sq ft home costs $8,000–$20,000 for vinyl, $14,000–$28,000 for fiber cement, and $18,000–$40,000 for engineered or real wood in 2026. The material choice accounts for most of the variation — labor costs are more consistent — but regional wage rates and the condition of the underlying sheathing can swing total project cost by 25–35% in either direction.

Cost by Siding Material

Vinyl Siding

Installed cost for a 2,000 sq ft home: $8,000–$20,000

Vinyl is the most installed residential siding material in the U.S., and for good reason: it requires no painting, resists moisture, and comes in profiles that mimic wood clapboard, shakes, and board-and-batten. Price varies substantially by grade:

Builder-grade (0.040" thickness): $3.00–$5.50 per sq ft installed — lower wind resistance, fades faster in UV-intense climates
Mid-grade (0.044"–0.046" thickness): $4.50–$7.50 per sq ft installed — the most common choice for full replacements
Premium (0.050"+ or insulated vinyl): $7.00–$12.00 per sq ft installed — insulated backing adds R-2.5 to R-3.0 and noticeably improves thermal performance

Insulated vinyl siding qualifies for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) — 30% of product cost up to $1,200 annually — which reduces the effective premium over standard vinyl.

Fiber Cement Siding (James Hardie, LP SmartSide)

Installed cost for a 2,000 sq ft home: $14,000–$28,000

Fiber cement is the strongest growth category in residential siding — contractors in our network report that 40–50% of full siding replacement projects now specify fiber cement, compared to 25% five years ago. It's dimensionally stable (doesn't expand and contract with temperature like vinyl), holds paint for 10–15 years before repainting, and resists termites, rot, and fire.

Material cost: $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft (board)
Installation labor: $3.50–$6.00 per sq ft — higher than vinyl because boards are heavier, require cutting with specialty tools (to avoid silica dust), and demand more fastener precision
Total installed: $5.50–$9.00 per sq ft

The two dominant brands — James Hardie (HardieBoard) and LP SmartSide — have different compositions. LP SmartSide is engineered wood with resin treatment rather than true fiber cement; it's slightly cheaper and easier to work with but carries a slightly shorter warranty. Ask contractors to specify which product they're quoting.

Engineered Wood Siding (LP SmartSide, Boral TruExterior)

Installed cost for a 2,000 sq ft home: $12,000–$25,000

Engineered wood products are positioned between vinyl and fiber cement on price, and between real wood and fiber cement on maintenance requirements. They paint like wood, can be factory-primed (reducing field painting cost), and offer more texture variation than fiber cement. They're not as dimensionally stable in wet climates as fiber cement and require repainting every 8–12 years.

Real Wood Siding

Installed cost for a 2,000 sq ft home: $18,000–$45,000+

Cedar, redwood, and pine clapboard siding offer the most authentic appearance and the highest maintenance burden. Painting or staining every 5–8 years is typically required to prevent rot and warping. Real wood is increasingly specified for historic renovations and high-end custom homes where material authenticity is prioritized over lifecycle cost.

Cedar clapboard: $4.00–$8.00 per sq ft material; $7.00–$14.00 per sq ft installed
Factory-primed clear cedar: $6.00–$10.00 per sq ft installed

Metal Siding (Steel and Aluminum)

Installed cost for a 2,000 sq ft home: $15,000–$35,000

Steel siding is the most durable option for high-wind and hail-prone regions. It doesn't rot, crack, or provide habitat for insects. Contemporary profiles (vertical board-and-batten, corrugated panels) have made metal siding increasingly popular in modern-aesthetic new construction and renovations. Aluminum is softer and dents more easily than steel but is lighter and doesn't rust.

What Affects the Total Price Beyond Material

Tear-Off vs. Overlay

Installing new siding over existing siding (overlay) saves $1,500–$3,500 in tear-off and disposal labor but hides potential rot or moisture damage in the sheathing. Most siding contractors recommend full removal — the ability to inspect, repair, and upgrade the water-resistive barrier (housewrap) beneath is worth the added cost for a project with a 30-year lifespan.

Sheathing and Housewrap Condition

Once old siding is removed, contractors frequently find rotted OSB sheathing, failed or missing housewrap, or improperly flashed window and door openings. These repairs cost $2.00–$6.00 per sq ft to address and should be treated as a normal contingency — not a contractor-created surprise. Budget 10–15% of the base siding cost for sheathing and moisture repair.

Trim, Corners, and Specialty Areas

Siding quotes often cover field area (the flat runs) but price trim separately. Corners, window surrounds, door casings, soffit, fascia, and gable trim add 15–25% to the material bill. Complex home designs with many window openings, gables, or architectural details have higher trim ratios than simple box shapes.

Regional Labor Rates

Labor rates based on contractor data from our remodeling directory:

Northeast (Boston, New York, Philadelphia): 20–35% above national average; fiber cement installed runs $8–$11 per sq ft
West Coast (Seattle, Portland, Bay Area): 25–40% above average; premium vinyl runs $7–$10 per sq ft installed
Midwest and Mountain West: Near national average
South and Southeast (Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte): 10–20% below average; fiber cement installed runs $5–$8 per sq ft

Signs That Siding Replacement Is Actually Necessary

Contractors frequently get called for jobs where repair rather than full replacement is the right answer — and sometimes the reverse. Replace when:

More than 20% of the total area shows rot, warping, cracking, or missing sections
Moisture infiltration has reached the sheathing or structural framing (visible on the interior as staining or mold)
The home has original asbestos-containing siding (pre-1980 installation) — encapsulation requirements add cost to any work that disturbs the existing material
The existing siding is discontinuous (multiple patch-repaired generations that no longer provide a cohesive envelope)

Repair when damage is localized (under 15% of surface area), the existing material is in good condition overall, and the damage has a clear, fixable cause.

How to Get Accurate Bids

Siding quotes vary by 30–50% across contractors for the same scope — wider variation than most remodeling categories because material specification and tear-off scope are easy to change on paper. To get comparable bids:

Require all bids to specify the same material brand, product line, and profile
Confirm whether each quote includes tear-off, disposal, housewrap replacement, and trim
Ask each contractor to describe their housewrap/flashing approach before pricing — this reveals quality differences that won't show up in the line items
Get clarity on how sheathing repair is handled: is it included up to a cap, excluded entirely, or billed at an hourly rate?

Siding replacement consistently ranks among the stronger exterior ROI investments — our guide to which home renovations have the best ROI in 2026 compares siding against roofing, windows, and landscaping for resale value. If you're financing the project alongside other exterior work, the home renovation financing guide covers HELOC, personal loan, and cash-out refinance options. Use our contractor hiring checklist before signing with any siding installer to verify licensing, insurance, and written scope. Browse home remodeling contractors by city or find siding and exterior remodelers near you with Guide Scores and verified profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to replace siding on a house?: Replacing siding on a typical 2,000 sq ft home costs $8,000–$20,000 for vinyl, $14,000–$28,000 for fiber cement, and $18,000–$40,000 for engineered wood or real wood. Metal siding runs $15,000–$35,000. These ranges include removal of old siding, installation, and finishing trim. Regional labor rates account for a 20–35% cost spread above or below these midpoints.
How long does siding last?: Vinyl siding lasts 20–40 years depending on UV exposure and climate. Fiber cement (James Hardie, LP SmartSide) lasts 30–50 years with periodic repainting. Wood siding lasts 20–40 years with regular paint and caulk maintenance; neglected wood fails in 10–15 years. Metal siding (aluminum, steel) lasts 40–60+ years. Climate, maintenance, and original installation quality all affect actual lifespan.
Does new siding increase home value?: Fiber cement siding replacement historically recoups 75–90% of cost at resale, making it one of the stronger exterior investments. Vinyl siding recoups 65–80%. The value case is strongest when old siding is visibly failing, stained, or dated — buyers price in the work they expect to do. On a home with otherwise updated features, new siding significantly improves curb appeal and marketability.
Can I put new siding over old siding?: Technically yes — vinyl siding can be installed over existing siding to avoid tear-off costs. However, overlaying hides potential moisture damage, reduces the effectiveness of new insulation layers, and adds weight that some older wall structures weren't designed to carry. Most professional siding contractors recommend full removal; the additional $1,500–$3,500 in tear-off labor is often worth it for the ability to inspect and remediate the sheathing beneath.
Do I need a permit to replace siding?: In most jurisdictions, in-kind siding replacement doesn't require a permit. However, adding rigid foam insulation beneath the new siding, replacing more than a certain percentage of sheathing, or changing the siding type may trigger a permit requirement in some municipalities. Check with your local building department before starting — unpermitted siding work can complicate homeowner's insurance claims if moisture damage occurs.