How much does vinyl siding cost?

*Figures above represent costs to install 2,500-square-feet of vinyl siding. These cost estimates take materials, labor and market price fluctuations into account.

Vinyl siding is a popular, low-maintenance siding choice among various homeowners. It's cost-effective, easy to install and can be a more affordable choice than other materials. And if properly maintained, your vinyl siding could last longer than other types of siding.

If you want to install vinyl siding in your home, it’s best to check with local vinyl siding professionals to get cost estimates. Read this guide first, so you know what to expect.

*Figures above represent costs to install 2,500-square-feet of vinyl siding. Figures do NOT include market price fluctuations.

Vinyl siding installation costs largely depend on two things: the cost of material and the cost of labor. On average, the national cost for materials is about $6,319-$8,997 for 2,500 square feet. Not all vinyls are created equal. Those made of premium quality materials will often cost more, but you can expect them to last a long time.

On the low-end scale, vinyl siding material costs $5,308-$7,557. If you’re looking for better quality materials and perhaps even a type of design or surface, you can expect to spend around $8,341-$11,876 for materials.

For labor, you can expect to pay $7,014 to install 2,500 square feet of vinyl siding, on average. On the low-end scale, national labor costs amount to $5,892, while high-end costs are $9,259.

Related: How much does wood siding cost?

*Figures above include materials, labor and market price fluctuations.

Vinyl siding costs are usually computed by square foot installed. They usually come in squares equal to 100 square feet per unit.

On average, installing vinyl siding costs $5.45-$6.55 per square foot. On the low-end scale, the national average cost per square foot is $4.58-$5.51. On the high end, the national average cost is $7.19-$8.65.

*Figures above represent costs to replace 2,500-square-feet of vinyl siding. These cost estimates take materials, labor and market price fluctuations into account.

If you already have pre-existing vinyl siding, you might want to replace it. Replacing vinyl siding costs an average of $15,072-$17,834 in the U.S. (assuming you'll need 2,500 square feet of siding). On the low-end, it will cost you an average of $12,661-$14,980. On the high-end, you can expect to spend around $19,895-$23,541.

Vinyl siding replacement projects can cost more because you may have to tear down the older siding. If you want to replace a few panels, you’ll need to find siding that matches the existing style and color.

Related: How much does aluminum siding cost?

Here are a few factors that can affect the cost of installing or replacing your vinyl siding:

Type of vinyl siding.

There are different types of vinyl siding styles, and they can come at various price points. For example, you can get:

• Lap siding
• Vertical (aka tongue and groove) siding
• Shake or shingle siding (which resembles cedar's traditional wood grain appearance)
• Board and batten siding
• And much more

Sometimes, the kind of texture a vinyl siding has can also impact the price. Chat with top-rated siding contractors near you to learn more about your options and costs.

Brand and quality.

When doing home repairs, you want to get the best value for your money. Some vinyl siding brands have been around for a long time and have established a name for themselves. Likewise, some brands are known for the quality of their vinyl siding — another factor that sometimes raises the cost.

Premium vinyl siding is usually thicker and can withstand extreme weather conditions. Cheaper vinyl may sag under heavy rains or even come off under extreme heat. The higher price tag often equals higher quality, durability and a longer lifespan.

Time of year.

It’s generally more expensive to install vinyl siding during a contractor's busy season (often the spring or summer) when households are busy with outdoor home improvement projects. If you’re looking for areas where you can cut costs, try installing your vinyl siding during the slow season (perhaps the fall).

Removing existing siding and other repairs.

If you have existing siding that has been damaged beyond repair, you’ll need to remove it before installing the new siding. This can bump up costs.

If a part of the wall has also been damaged, you need to have it repaired. A smooth, even surface is necessary to properly install new vinyl siding.

To learn how much vinyl siding you need, do the following: 

1. Measure the height and width of your house’s exterior walls, and calculator the total area. 
2. Subtract the total area of doors and windows from the figure you got in #1.
3. Add 5%-10% to the total to cover any waste and any miscalculations.
4. Siding is usually sold in “squares.” Divide the total by 100 to determine how many squares of vinyl you’ll need.

Assuming your home has four walls, your total measurements might look something like the table below:

Next, you will also need to calculate the total area of doors, windows, gables and other perforations and then subtract that total from your wall’s total square feet. For example, if you have 500 total square feet of doors, windows, etc. subtract that from 10,800 to get 10,300 total square feet.

Then, divide the total by 100 to get the number of squares of siding you may need. In this case, you’ll need at least 103 square of siding. But, add at least 5% to 10% more to account for mistakes and in case you need more vinyl. In this example, that means you’ll need enough vinyl siding to cover 10,815-11,330 square feet (or 108-133 squares of siding).

Pro tip: Measuring and figuring out how much siding you need can be confusing. It might be best to ask a siding contractor to measure your exterior walls, determine the costs and install the vinyl siding for you. You can also use an online calculator to figure out how much siding you need.

Is vinyl siding right for you? Is it worth the cost? Here are the pros and cons so you can judge for yourself:

Pros:

• Vinyl siding is affordable. Compared to other types of siding (including wood, brick and fiber cement), vinyl is a budget-friendly option.
• Vinyl siding is low maintenance. With its slick surface, you can easily wipe off or hose down dust, cobwebs and other debris. There’s no need to prime, patch and paint.
• Vinyl siding promotes energy efficiency. Insulated vinyl siding with rigid-foam plastic insulation helps mitigate energy loss.

Cons:

• Vinyl siding can be difficult to install on your own. While you can install vinyl siding yourself, relying on a contractor to install it properly is better. A poor job of installing the vinyl can result in vinyl expanding, cracking, warping or bulging. 
• Vinyl siding doesn’t last forever. Years after installing your vinyl siding, you’ll start seeing the effects of wear and tear. Under the extremely hot sun, the siding can start to fade. If you try to paint over it to maintain a vibrant color, it can peel and crack after a while.
• Vinyl siding isn’t moisture-proof. No matter how well your vinyl siding is installed, it can trap moisture underneath the surface. This can lead to excessive moisture rotting the wood structure of your home. You may have to deal with termites, mold and other challenges.