How Much Does It Cost to Side a House? (2026 Guide)
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Get free quotesHow much does it cost to side a house?
Siding a house costs $5,554 to $17,717 on average nationally (average project $11,587), and can run $20,000+ for a larger home or a premium material, according to Angi's 2026 cost data. Fixr's 2026 data puts the average closer to $12,000, with most homeowners paying $6,000–$24,000. The exact number depends mainly on your home's size and the siding material you choose — see the breakdown by house size and by material below.
How much does it cost to side a house? (by house size)
Siding is priced per square foot of exterior wall — not per square foot of living space, and the two aren't the same number. Once you account for wall height, gable ends and corners, subtract windows and doors, and add the standard 10–15% cut-and-waste allowance contractors build into a quote, a one-story home typically needs roughly 1.2 to 1.5 times its finished floor area in actual siding material. We use 1.35× — the middle of that range — below. Worked example: a 1,500 sq ft one-story home → 1,500 × 1.35 ≈ 2,025 sq ft of siding to buy and install. (A second story, dormers, or an attached garage push the real number higher, since wall height increases while the footprint doesn't — always get a measured quote.)
| Home size (living area) | Siding area (≈1.35×) | Vinyl | Fiber cement | Engineered wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | ~1,350 sq ft | $4,050 – $16,200 | $6,750 – $18,900 | $5,400 – $17,550 |
| 1,500 sq ft | ~2,025 sq ft | $6,075 – $24,300 | $10,125 – $28,350 | $8,100 – $26,325 |
| 2,000 sq ft | ~2,700 sq ft | $8,100 – $32,400 | $13,500 – $37,800 | $10,800 – $35,100 |
| 2,500 sq ft | ~3,375 sq ft | $10,125 – $40,500 | $16,875 – $47,250 | $13,500 – $43,875 |
| 3,000 sq ft | ~4,050 sq ft | $12,150 – $48,600 | $20,250 – $56,700 | $16,200 – $52,650 |
Assumes a simple one-story footprint (living area × ~1.35). Two-story homes and complex rooflines need more siding per sq ft of living space. Low end = economy-grade material and a simple, easy-access install; high end = premium styles (insulated vinyl, board-and-batten, textured panels) and harder installs.
Siding cost per square foot
| Siding material | Installed cost per sq ft | Typical total (2,000 sq ft home) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $3 – $12 | $8,100 – $32,400 | 20–40 years |
| Engineered wood | $4 – $13 | $10,800 – $35,100 | 20–30 years |
| Fiber cement (e.g. James Hardie) | $5 – $14 | $13,500 – $37,800 | 30–50 years |
| Wood (cedar) | $6 – $16 | $16,200 – $43,200 | 20–40 years (with upkeep) |
| Metal (steel/aluminum) | $4 – $12 | $10,800 – $32,400 | 40+ years |
| Brick / stone veneer | $8 – $30 | $21,600 – $81,000 | 50+ years |
"Typical total" assumes ~2,700 sq ft of siding — the estimated wall area for a 2,000 sq ft one-story home (see the house-size table above). Actual per-sq-ft price depends on style, brand, and region.
How much is a square of siding?
Siding is bought and quoted in "squares" — 1 square = 100 square feet (10 ft × 10 ft) of wall coverage, not a literal panel size. A typical one-story home needs roughly 14 to 40+ squares, depending on size (see the house-size table above). To find the price per square, multiply a material's per-square-foot price by 100:
| Siding material | Cost per sq ft | Cost per square (100 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $3 – $12 | $300 – $1,200 |
| Engineered wood | $4 – $13 | $400 – $1,300 |
| Fiber cement | $5 – $14 | $500 – $1,400 |
| Wood (cedar) | $6 – $16 | $600 – $1,600 |
| Metal (steel/aluminum) | $4 – $12 | $400 – $1,200 |
| Brick / stone veneer | $8 – $30 | $800 – $3,000 |
What affects siding cost?
- Material — the biggest factor (see tables above).
- Home size & number of stories: more surface area and height mean more labor and safety equipment.
- Removal of old siding: tear-off and disposal add cost.
- Trim, corners & architectural detail: complex facades take longer.
- Insulation & house wrap: adding insulated backing raises cost but improves energy efficiency.
- Repairs: rotted sheathing or moisture damage found during removal.
Pro tip from our network contractors
Don't skip the house wrap and proper flashing to save a few hundred dollars. Moisture behind the siding is what destroys the wall — the barrier is cheap insurance.
James Hardie (fiber cement) vs. vinyl siding
Vinyl is cheaper upfront ($3–$12/sq ft), low-maintenance, and widely available. Fiber cement (James Hardie) costs more ($5–$14/sq ft) but is more durable, fire-resistant, and holds paint longer — often with strong resale appeal. If budget is the priority, vinyl wins; if longevity and curb appeal matter most, fiber cement is usually worth the premium. For the full breakdown — including engineered wood (LP SmartSide) — see vinyl vs. fiber cement vs. engineered wood siding.
Does new siding add value?
Siding replacement is consistently one of the highest-ROI exterior projects, often recouping a large share of its cost at resale because it dramatically improves curb appeal and signals a well-maintained home. Energy-efficient insulated siding can also lower heating and cooling bills. See the resale numbers by material in does new siding increase home value?
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Get free quotesFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to side a house in 2026?
The cost to side a house is $5,500 to $20,000+ installed in 2026, averaging around $11,500 for a typical home. Vinyl is cheapest ($3–$12/sq ft); fiber cement runs $5–$14/sq ft; engineered wood $4–$13/sq ft. Cost scales with house size — see the by-size table above.
What is the cheapest siding option?
Vinyl siding is the most affordable at $3 to $12 per square foot installed, while still offering 20–40 years of life and low maintenance.
How much does James Hardie / fiber cement siding cost?
Fiber cement siding costs $5 to $14 per square foot installed. For a typical 2,000 sq ft home, that's roughly $13,500 to $37,800 installed — more than vinyl, but more durable and fire-resistant.
How long does siding last?
Vinyl lasts 20–40 years, fiber cement 30–50 years, and brick or stone veneer 50+ years, depending on climate and maintenance.
Is it worth replacing siding?
Yes — siding replacement is one of the best exterior investments for curb appeal and resale value, and insulated options can reduce energy bills.
How much does siding cost per square foot?
Siding costs $3 to $30 per square foot installed depending on material: vinyl runs $3–$12, engineered wood $4–$13, fiber cement $5–$14, cedar wood $6–$16, metal $4–$12, and brick or stone veneer $8–$30 per square foot.
How much is a square of siding?
A "square" of siding is 100 square feet of wall coverage. At installed prices of $3–$30 per square foot, a square of siding costs roughly $300 to $3,000 depending on material — about $300–$1,200 for vinyl and $500–$1,400 for fiber cement.
How much does it cost to side a 1,500 sq ft house?
A 1,500 sq ft one-story home has roughly 2,025 sq ft of exterior wall to cover. That puts vinyl siding around $6,075–$24,300 installed, fiber cement around $10,125–$28,350, and engineered wood around $8,100–$26,325 — see the full by-size table above.
Siding costs by location
Labor rates, permit fees, and rebates move siding pricing a long way from the national average. These guides use local quote and permit data for each market.
By state
By metro
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