There are various ways to calculate the cost of siding materials. You can consider the cost of the life of the siding. You can look at the initial investment in the siding. You can take into account its eventual maintenance cost. You can consider the impact a specific material will have on the resale value of your home. Each point of view has a certain value; and all deserve consideration when choosing siding for your home.
For example, cedar siding might likely turn out to be a very expensive choice for your homes siding. Its life expectancy is less than that of aluminum and vinyl siding, and brick or stone will outlast cedar by many years. So, even though the initial expense of cedar siding might look great when compared to the price of vinyl, the upkeep it requires over its shorter life span will make it more expensive in the long run. On the other hand, cedar siding is a better insulator than vinyl or aluminum and will keep your utility bills down in the summer and winter months. As you can see, there’s more to “cost” than meets the eye.
While siding costs vary widely from product to product, including grades of product (high end to low end) below you’ll find a rough price comparison on siding material costs. Besides the initial material costs there may be other items that could increase or decrease the amount your siding will ultimately cost you; removing previous siding, repairing water damage beyond the siding layer, and damp proofing your home are among the top 3 related additional costs.
Of all the siding available in today’s market, vinyl leads the way; installed, it remains the least expensive siding material. Warranties are another key point; most vinyl manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty that can also be transferred to the next owner, thus creating a great value and a great investment. Estimate costs run from $2 to $3 per square foot.
Competitively priced, generally costing slightly more than vinyl siding. Estimate costs run $3 to $4 per square foot.
Cedar runs between $3.5 to 6.5 per square foot.
Paint grade wood siding can run between $1 to $2 less per square foot than hardwood siding.
Aluminum siding runs between $3 to $5 per foot.
Brick and stone veneer siding will run between $11 to $15 per square foot.
Real brick runs between $6 to $12 per square foot however; replacing brick is much more expensive and runs around $18 + per square foot.
Natural stone is priced between $15 to $30 per square foot.
Stucco pricing falls between $4 to $9 per square foot. Sand and cement stucco is less expensive, latex stucco is more expensive.
Pricing for shingles and shake siding run between $5.12 and $7.40 per square foot.
Slate Shingles
Slate shingles have a long life span of 75+ years, they defy extreme heat and cold, and the material is fireproof. Slate shingles measure 12" to 20" wide; 3/16" to 1" thick.
Prices start at $5 a square foot.
Cypress beadboard paneling is 1" x 6" and runs around $2 per linear foot. 1" x 4" paneling runs around $1.33 per linear foot.
Red Cedar Lap Siding is 6" deep x 1/2" thick and runs around $1.75 per square foot; $2.05 per square foot with one side planed smooth.
Siding comparisons chart
| Material | Durability | Appearance | Maintenance | Cost of Materials |
| Wood board | High | Excellent | High | High |
| Shingle | High | Excellent | High | High |
| Vinyl | High | Fair | Low | Low |
| Fiber Cement | High | Excellent | Moderate | High |
| Steel | Good | Fair | Low | Moderate |
| Stucco (EIFS) | Good | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
| Brick | High | Excellent | Moderate | High |
| Stone | High | Good | Low | Moderate |
| Synthetic stone | High | Good | Low | Moderate |
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come out to my house to assess my damage and to explain my options to me. The guys that came out to do the work were very professional and very nice. They did a beautiful job and I wanted them and you to know that we really appreciate their work. It looks very nice - and now we no longer have birds building nests up in our attic (smile). Thanks again for always being so helpful.
Dear Danny,
My husband and I wish to thank you and your company for the beautiful job you have done on our house.
You and your company certainly live by the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is exactly what you did for us.
We had so called professionals work on the house before, the result was a disaster. My daughter-in-law came to our rescue by giving us your name and phone number.
You came and talk to us face to face giving us ideas for repairing and fixing our home.
The job done by you is perfect. I am so happy with the windows and doors installed by your Integrity. There are no gaps, no sags, and no drafts. I highly recommend you to anyone wishing to have work done on their home. Your phone number is in our phone book, ready to be dialed when your service is needed. We once more thank you for a job well done. Your service was courteous, polite and friendly.
We wish you well,
Best regards,
Jim and Madeleine Witten