Siding installation cost in 2026 — by material per square foot

New siding transforms a home's curb appeal and is a high-ticket exterior job. In 2026 installed siding runs about $4 to $25 per square foot depending on material — so re-siding a typical 2,000 sq ft house (about 2,500 sq ft of wall) lands between $10,000 and $40,000+. Here is the breakdown.

Siding cost per square foot (material + installation)

• Vinyl — $4 to $12 / sq ft
• Engineered wood (LP SmartSide) — $6 to $14 / sq ft
• Fiber cement (Hardie) — $8 to $16 / sq ft
• Aluminum / steel — $7 to $16 / sq ft
• Wood (cedar) — $8 to $18 / sq ft
• Stucco (3-coat) — $9 to $20 / sq ft
• Stone veneer — $15 to $35 / sq ft

Whole-house total by size (fiber cement)

• 1,200 sq ft house (~1,600 sq ft wall) — $12,800 to $25,600
• 2,000 sq ft house (~2,500 sq ft wall) — $20,000 to $40,000
• 2,800 sq ft house (~3,300 sq ft wall) — $26,400 to $52,800

What is included

1. Tear-off of old siding — $1–$3 / sq ft
2. Weather-resistive barrier (house wrap)
3. Trim, corners, J-channel, flashing
4. Starter strip & fasteners
5. Caulking & paint (fiber cement / wood)
6. Disposal

What drives cost up

• Two+ stories — scaffolding/lift adds 10–20%
• Sheathing rot repair — found after tear-off, $4–$8 / sq ft
• Trim detail — lots of windows, gables, and corners slow it down
• Material tier — stone veneer and 3-coat stucco are the priciest
• Insulation upgrade — adding rigid foam under siding

How to quote a siding job

Measure wall area (subtract large openings), add trim linear feet, and itemize tear-off, house wrap, siding, trim, and paint. A square-foot exterior calculator gives a defensible number fast.

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FAQ

Best value siding? Vinyl for budget, fiber cement for durability + resale.

How long does siding last? Vinyl 20–30 yrs, fiber cement 30–50 yrs, stucco 50+ yrs.

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