Siding Cost Calculator

Per square foot installed: Vinyl $5-$12 · LP SmartSide $8-$14 · Engineered/composite $9-$15 · Stucco $9-$16 · Fiber cement (James Hardie) $10-$18 · Wood cedar $10-$20 · Brick veneer $15-$30 · Stone veneer $25-$50. For a 2,000 sq ft home (~2,500-3,000 sq ft of siding excluding windows/doors), total project: vinyl $12-$30K; LP $20-$40K; Hardie $25-$50K; stone veneer $60-$130K. Add 10-15% for trim/soffit/fascia.

James Hardie (fiber cement): premium pick, fire-resistant, 30-year non-prorated warranty, holds paint 15+ years, premium feel, +20-30% over vinyl. LP SmartSide (engineered wood): warmer aesthetic than vinyl, easier to install than Hardie, 50-year warranty, but susceptible to moisture if installation flawed. Vinyl: cheapest, lifetime limited warranty, fades over time, can crack in cold/impact. Resale ranking: Hardie > LP > Vinyl. Climate matters: Hardie best in hot/humid; LP best in moderate; vinyl OK everywhere but premium markets.

2-3 weeks for a typical 2,000 sq ft home - weather permitting. Includes: tear-off (1-3 days), house wrap and flashing (1-2 days), siding installation (5-10 days), trim and accessories (2-3 days), inspection. Hardie takes ~30% longer than vinyl due to weight + precise nailing requirements. Avoid scheduling in winter in cold climates - vinyl gets brittle and Hardie's expansion gaps change with temperature.

Insulated vinyl (foam-backed) adds R-2.0 to R-3.0 - modest but meaningful in older homes. Standard vinyl: R-0.6. Hardie: R-0.5. The bigger insulation play is adding rigid foam INSULATION board (R-5 to R-7 per inch) under the siding during a re-side project - costs $1-$3/sq ft extra but qualifies for federal Section 25C 30% credit up to $1,200/year and pays back in 5-10 years through reduced HVAC costs.