2018 Siding Installation Costs | Average Price to Replace …

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Siding is an important part of your house. Its a shell that protects, insulates, and decorates your home all at the same time. How well it does this depends on which siding you choose, and there are many options.

Vinyl is made of two PVC layers extruded and bonded together to form the planks. The outer layer is very durable while the inner layer is often a less-durable mixture to keep the cost down.

Cost: about $2.00 to $7.00 per square foot

Vinyl is easy to install and maintain. Installed correctly, the most common issues result from the siding being too tightly attached. It should have a side-to-side give of to avoid warping and buckling. Mold and algae can form where high moisture areas are shaded, and poorly-installed flashing can allow moisture to leak in.

You Might Consider Vinyl If

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Wood siding offers a lot of character. Most often milled from sustainable resources, its very versatile and can be stained or painted in any color desired. Installation and repair are easy, and it comes in shingles, clapboards, drop siding, vertical boards, and wooden sheet siding.

Cost: about $3.00 to $10.00 per square foot

Wood is easy to install and repair, but the maintenance can be costly and time consuming. It requires treatment every year or two, more frequently if non-toxic, eco-friendly products are used. However, many homeowners consider the warm, natural look worth the effort.

You Might Consider Wood If

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Engineered wood is made of wood product such as sawdust and wood flakes held together by a bonding agent. This creates a strong but lightweight material that is less expensive than natural wood.

Cost: about $2.25 to $5.30 per square foot

Engineered wood is an affordable option to natural wood. You can get it pre-primed or pre-finished to save time on the installation. However, it requires the same maintenance as natural wood. Without this maintenance, it will deteriorate faster than natural wood.

You Might Consider Engineered Wood If

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Metal siding is most commonly available in aluminum, but corrugated steel siding is not without its charm. A very durable material, its immune to many insects and can withstand weather extremes. It can be stamped into many shapes and styles.

Aluminum can be coated with vinyl, which can be textured to imitate other materials. Both steel and aluminum can be coated with vinyl instead of paint to give your siding color. Though often associated with industrial buildings or mobile homes, metal siding can make a home look both warm and modern, especially when combined with trim made of other materials (such as wood).

You Might Consider Metal If

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Fiber cement is made up of sand, cement and wood/cellulose fibers. Its very durable and can withstand intense storms, but it is very heavy and requires special tools and knowledge to install properly. The most popular fiber cement siding is Hardieboard.

Cost: about $0.75 to $5.00 per square foot, shingles cost $2.00 to $8.00 each

Fiber cement requires professional installation that can cost as much as the material itself. Material produced before 1980 may have asbestos, which will require an asbestos abatement contractor. However, once installed, it is very durable and resistant to many factors that would destroy other materials, including fire.

You Might Consider Fiber Cement If

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For durability and strength, its hard to beat brick and stone. As a naturally insulating material, it can help lower your heating and cooling bills. It is, however, very expensive and requires the skill of a mason to install.

Brick and stone have a classic, luxurious look. It can help keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, this long-term saving might not be enough to offset the up-front cost. Unlike other materials, it cant be installed over the top of existing siding. However, unless you live in an earthquake zone, there is rarely, if ever, a need to replace it.

You Might Consider Brick or Stone If

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Liquid spray on siding, or liquid vinyl as its called, is a spray of high-quality PVC polymers and resin used to coat the exterior of a house. It isnt a siding itself so much as it is a coating for existing siding. It can be applied to any surface, but may not be suitable for wood as it wont let the wood breathe.

Cost: about $3.00 to $6.00 per square foot installed

Liquid spray on siding is as yet untested for longevity. Though many manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty, the truth is that the material hasnt been around long enough to test this time span. Also uncertain is how it affects home values. However, aside from its unsuitability for wood coating, many people have been happy with it so far.

You Might Consider Liquid Spray On Siding If

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Insulated siding refers to siding material, usually vinyl, that has a polystyrene foam backing. This foam adds to the insulating value of the siding and helps it resist denting and cracking. It also provides a degree of soundproofing.

Cost: insulating foam adds another 30 to 50% to your total cost

Insulated siding increases your insulation R value by about 3 points. This is a modest energy savings, but when combined with other measures, it can be the difference between good savings and great savings. Though it was first assumed to be a trap for moisture, it actually helps dry out moisture that gets behind your siding.

You Might Consider Insulated Siding If

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2018 Siding Installation Costs | Average Price to Replace ...