When the siding on your home starts to look weathered or is allowing water to intrude and cause damage, you need to take action. Naturally, you may wonder about the cost to replace vinyl and what you can expect for installation.
It’s best to get cost estimates for vinyl siding from a reputable contractor. Pinnacle Home Improvements is renowned for installing vinyl siding. In this blog post, we explain what impacts vinyl siding cost to help you have a greater understanding of what you can expect when installing vinyl.
Vinyl Siding and Its Popularity in Home Improvements
If you need to replace your existing siding, you may be considering vinyl. This material has soared in popularity because of its durability and versatility in design. With many siding options, most homeowners have begun turning to this material as it’s strong enough to handle extreme weather and is easy to maintain.
It’s hard to tell residential homes that have vinyl siding because it comes in styles that give it the appearance of wood or stone. It also tends to be more budget-friendly compared to other materials. When your existing siding is showing its age, reviewing vinyl siding cost can help you determine whether installing vinyl siding is the right move for you.
What Factors Influence Vinyl Siding Cost?
Vinyl siding cost is impacted by several factors:
Material Quality
Not all vinyl siding is the same, and the thickness and length of this material will play a role in cost. When it comes to vinyl siding length, the standard size of panels is 12.5 feet. While it may be cheaper, you’ll have more seams around the outside of your home, which can make it less attractive.
Spend a little more for quality to get siding in longer lengths, such as 16.7 or 25 feet, reducing unsightly seams. This will also impact the labor and installation time, adding to the cost, but it can be worth it to enhance the value of your home.
Thickness of Siding
When thinking of the quality of vinyl siding, thickness is another metric. Your siding contractor will review all of your options, and while it might be tempting to go with the cheapest option, you should at least look at the differences in vinyl siding.
Builder’s grade might be what you want if you’re on a tight budget for your siding project. It’s only .40 mm, though if you choose a shorter length, it may negatively impact curb appeal. It also tends not to be well-insulated and can crack more readily. Essentially, you get what you pay for, and with vinyl siding, the cheapest and thinnest may not be worth it.
Thin residential grade vinyl siding is .42 mm, and while it’s relatively inexpensive, it provides better insulation than builder’s grade vinyl. Go a little thicker with standard residential grade, which offers .44 mm of thickness and is well insulated. Thick residential-grade vinyl siding is another option that provides better protection and insulation while still being cost-effective.
If you have the budget for installing hardier siding, .50 mm thick vinyl is a nice choice. It’s known for weather resistance, particularly heavy winds and rain and offers great insulation, though it can get pricey. Premium grade is the most expensive option for vinyl siding, and materials made to this thickness can protect and insulate the best for any home.
Color and Style Choices
One of the reasons that vinyl siding installation is so popular is because it comes in so many colors and styles. It can be created to look like wood, brick, or even stone. The style and color you choose will affect how much installation costs.
Additionally, material and labor costs will be a factor relative to the size of your home. How much siding is needed for the size of your home and the removal of old siding are both factors. If you want to know the specifics of the cost of vinyl siding on your home’s exterior, you’ll need to get an estimate.
Detailed Cost Analysis for Vinyl Siding Cost Per Square Foot
As mentioned the cost of vinyl siding will vary depending on the factors discussed above. Here’s a more detailed look based on the type of vinyl siding, labor, and size of the home.
Vinyl Siding Cost Per Square Foot
Take a look at the estimated costs of vinyl siding per square foot before installation is factored into the equation for various styles:
Traditional Lap
Traditional lap vinyl siding has overlapping horizontal boards and provides a classically clean look. It costs about $2 to $6 per square foot, which means that you could be looking at anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for this material.
Dutch Lap
Dutch lap has a similar cost to traditional at $2 to $6 per square foot, and it provides a textural element to the exterior of a home, creating greater visual appeal.
Clapboard
Clapboard looks like wood siding that fits modern as well as classic styles. It also costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
Board and Batten Vinyl Siding
This siding style features vertical panels with narrow strips to cover up seams, a stunning look for farmhouse homes. Since batten siding costs between $3.50 and $9 per square foot, you can expect this material to cost anywhere from $8,700 to $22,000.
Vinyl Shake
If you love the look of wood, vinyl shake gives you that textured, overlapped look that may be a match for your coastal-style home. It’s the same cost estimate as board and batten at $3.50 to $9 per square foot.
Brick Style
Vinyl siding can also resemble brick with a lower cost for materials and labor. It creates a stately look for your home, ranging from $5 to $10 per square foot, which could mean these materials cost you anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000.
Stone Style
Stone can be replicated with vinyl to give you the rich depth and texture of natural stone siding at a much lower cost than real stone. With the same costs as brick-style vinyl, it can be a better way to get this luxurious look for less.
Overall Vinyl Siding Installed Cost
Part of the cost of vinyl siding is per square foot. The bigger your home, the more material you’ll need. Vinyl siding installation can vary greatly, though these estimates per square foot of home size can help you get a feel for what to expect.
With small homes, defined as those up to 1,500 sq ft, the cost can be anywhere from $3,700 to $16,000. Medium homes, defined as those up to 2,500 sq ft, will range from $6,200 to $26,800. Larger homes, sized at 3,500 sq ft or more, will be the most costly, starting at $8,700 and ranging up to $37,600.
Larger homes and homes with more architectural complexity will fetch a higher installation cost. Multiple stories, eaves, gables, and intricate rooflines can all contribute to higher costs for installation while simple designs are easier to install on, making them less expensive.
Vinyl Siding Labor Cost Per Square Foot
On average, it may be just under $4 per square foot to install. If you know the square footage of your home, you can calculate a rough estimate based on the ranges of $2 to $5 per square foot, which may mean $2,100 to $5,200 in just the cost of labor.
Let’s not forget that you’ll need to remove any existing siding, which also requires labor. This may be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, including the disposal fees. Cutting costs per square foot may seem tempting, though it’s important to understand that the cheaper the siding, the higher the labor cost.
Lower-grades of vinyl siding are bendable and easier to break, requiring two people to install these pieces, whereas higher quality options, especially with insulation, are easier to install.
Comparative Cost: Vinyl Siding vs Other Siding Materials
Before considering new vinyl siding, it helps to compare it to other materials. This will give you a bigger picture of what you can expect in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of these materials.
Wood Siding
Installing siding made of wood can range from $2.25 to $15 per sq ft when installed. It’s timeless and classic, and it can be stained to fit any look. However, it needs to be treated to be fire resistant, and it’s high maintenance, needing painting and sealing every few years. It’s not as durable in certain climates either.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is versatile like vinyl, as it can mimic stone, wood, or brick. It costs $4.50 to $11.25 per square foot installed, making it more expensive as well as heavier than vinyl. Since fiber cement weighs more, it’s more labor-intensive, and it will require repainting more frequently to keep up its look.
Aluminum Siding
Want to compare vinyl vs aluminum siding differences & which is best? Aluminum is lightweight and can resist bugs and rust, but it also dents easily and can become chalky. It costs $3 to $7.25 a square foot when installed, making vinyl edge ahead in this comparison as well.
Stucco
Stucco is a popular choice because it provides a textured look and is durable while adding insulation. It costs about $5 to $7 per sq ft installed, and while it’s great in dry heat, humid or wet climates will have issues with stucco. It tends to crack, and repairs aren’t cheap. Higher quality siding in vinyl compares with more durability and a lower cost, even when factoring in professional installation.
Brick Veneer and Brick
When you want brick but your home’s square footage is large, it can add to your overall cost. A large house size covered in brick can cost $11 to $27 a sq ft installed. Comparatively, the total cost per sq ft installed for brick veneer is $8 to $13. However, how do they stack up compared to vinyl?
Brick veneer is durable, but it doesn’t offer the same structural benefits to a home as one built with full brick siding. Brick itself is stunning and fireproof, as well as a material that insulates beautifully. The problem is that it’s heavy and requires great skill to install, making it one of the most expensive materials. If you love the look of brick but the cost of installing each square foot is too much, choose vinyl with the look of brick.
Stone
New siding made of stone has material costs that can be as low as $21 and as high as $38 or more per sq ft installed. It’s such a gorgeous and luxurious material that’s durable and practically indestructible. However, it’s also one of the most expensive per square foot to install. The stones themselves are costly, and labor factored into that adds to the price.
Additionally, a home must have a strong foundation for this material. A large house size with stone siding can cost a small fortune, and if you’re wishing to make your home have this luxury look, vinyl can help you get it for much less.
Benefits of Investing in Vinyl Siding Installation for Your Home
Is insulated vinyl siding worth it? Take a look at the benefits:
Energy Efficiency
When properly installed, vinyl siding, especially insulated panels, can help your home improve energy efficiency. With insulated vinyl siding, you’ll get protection from extreme temperature fluctuations, allowing you to stay comfortable, no matter the season.
Durability and Low Maintenance
For the cost per square foot, you get more with vinyl siding, as it’s a durable material that requires minimal maintenance. It’s easy to learn how to clean vinyl siding by simply using a hose to clean it off. As long as proper installation is conducted during your siding replacement, you can count on it for many worry-free years of homeownership ahead.
Aesthetic Appeal
In addition to being low maintenance, you can improve the look of your home without the costs of pricier materials. Siding styles come in so many varieties, from lightly textured siding to materials that resemble bricks and stone, allowing you to revamp the look of your home quickly and for much less.
Frequently Asked Questions on Vinyl Siding Costs
How can I reduce the cost of siding per square foot?
If you want to reduce the cost for each square foot of siding, it helps to look at all the options available and compare them. However, choosing vinyl siding that’s cheaper for each square foot, such as through builder’s grade, isn’t always the best option. You may incur higher labor costs, especially if you need to have old siding removed. Talk to a contractor who can help you weigh the pros and cons of your siding options.
When is the best time to have siding done for lower costs?
Since your installation cost will include any old siding removal, materials, and labor, you can look to save a few bucks by planning ahead. The off-season for siding tends to be early in the spring and again in early fall. Contractors will be less busy during these times, making it easier to get an appointment, and it may be cheaper too.
Is it worth it to get a higher grade of vinyl siding?
It depends on how long you plan to be in your home. If your siding is damaged and you’re planning to sell soon, you won’t want to invest in the most expensive grade. However, the seams on cheaper lengths and thickness may impact the overall look. There’s middle ground with siding, and it helps to review these options with your contractor to make the best decision for your needs.
What factors can increase the cost of vinyl siding installation?
Your location can mean higher or lower costs for siding, especially when factoring in materials, siding removal, and labor. Additionally, the type and style of vinyl siding selected can make the price more expensive. If budget is a concern, plan ahead and take your time to review all of your options along with the cost data. You don’t need to buy the cheapest material available to keep costs low for your project.
Why Choose Pinnacle Home Improvements for Vinyl Siding Projects?
When your old siding is detracting from the look of your home or causing other issues such as pests or water intrusion, you shouldn’t wait too long to decide what to do. With this example cost sheet, you can see roughly what you may need to spend. Choosing a reliable contractor such as Pinnacle Home Improvements for your vinyl siding installation ensures that you have an expert to make this process as smooth and efficient as possible.
Whether you need more siding due to a larger home or you have gable vents or window trimming that make the process more complicated, we can provide an accurate estimate. Contact us today, and we’ll show you how you’ll fall in love with your home all over again.
