How Much Does Exterior Siding Replacement Cost in 2026?
Exterior siding replacement costs $8,000-$25,000 with a $14,000 average. Material choice (vinyl vs. fiber-cement vs. wood) drives most of the difference.
Siding replacement pricing is dominated by material choice. Vinyl and fiber-cement are both viable for most homes, but they’re not the same product — the lifetime cost calculation looks very different when you factor in fiber-cement’s 50-year durability and lower repainting frequency versus vinyl’s lower upfront cost but less premium appearance.
What’s included in exterior siding replacement cost
A full replacement covers tear-off of the old siding and disposal, inspection and repair of the house wrap or building paper underneath, installation of new siding panels, j-channel and trim around all openings, corner boards, and caulking at all seams and penetrations. Most quotes include a starter strip and at least basic J-channel trim. Soffit and fascia replacement and structural sheathing repair are typically separate line items.
When you’ll pay more than average
The $14,000 average is for vinyl or entry-level fiber-cement on a single-story home with a tear-off. You’ll pay more for premium fiber-cement ($6-$12/sq ft) or wood ($8-$14/sq ft), for a two-story home requiring scaffolding (add $1,000-$2,500), or for soffit and fascia replacement alongside the project (add $900-$2,400). Homes with complex trim details, multiple gable peaks, or significant sheathing damage found under the old siding push costs higher. A two-story home with wood siding can exceed $25,000.
Sheathing damage discovered after tear-off is the most common source of cost overruns on siding projects. Old houses with horizontal board sheathing or fiberboard sheathing often show rot concentrated at the base courses and around window openings. Replacing damaged sheathing runs $2-$5 per sq ft of wall area affected. On a 200 sq ft section of damage, that’s $400-$1,000 in sheathing replacement before the new siding goes on. Building a contingency into any siding budget is wise.
Adding rigid foam insulation backing during a siding replacement is a one-time opportunity to improve the building envelope without opening walls from the inside. Half-inch polyiso ($0.50-$1.00/sq ft added) adds R-3 to the wall assembly. One-inch XPS ($0.75-$1.50/sq ft) adds R-5. The energy savings are modest, but combined with new siding the improvement is permanent — it can’t be added later without another tear-off.
When you’ll pay less
Vinyl siding at $3-$7/sq ft installed is the clearest path to a lower quote. On a compact single-story home with 1,200 sq ft of wall surface, vinyl can come in at $4,000-$8,000 for materials and labor — below the broader project range because the wall area is smaller than the benchmark. Homeowners who can negotiate the tear-off themselves (dumpster rental plus a weekend) save $1,400-$4,200 on labor. Getting quotes from regional siding contractors rather than large national chains typically yields lower prices for the same materials.
Installing over existing siding is allowed in some jurisdictions and can eliminate tear-off cost entirely if the existing surface is flat and structurally sound. Fiber-cement and vinyl can both be installed over existing vinyl or wood lap siding (with furring strips to create a flat plane) in many markets. This approach adds wall thickness, affects window trim depth, and is not permitted everywhere — confirm with local code before requesting this scope.
Cost Factors
- Siding material
- Vinyl siding runs $3-$7/sq ft installed — the most affordable option. Fiber-cement (Hardie Board) runs $6-$12/sq ft and is significantly more durable. Wood lap siding runs $8-$14/sq ft installed. Metal (steel or aluminum panel) siding runs $7-$13/sq ft. On a 2,000 sq ft home, material choice alone swings total cost by $8,000-$14,000.
- Square footage of wall area
- Siding is priced per square foot of wall area, not floor area. A single-story 2,000 sq ft home may have 1,200-1,600 sq ft of wall surface. A two-story home of the same floor plan has more wall area but also requires scaffolding or multiple ladder placements, adding $1,000-$2,500 in labor.
- Tear-off of existing siding
- Removing the existing siding before installing new adds $1-$3/sq ft. On a 1,400 sq ft wall surface, that's $1,400-$4,200. Some projects allow installation over existing siding (furring strips required), but this adds wall thickness and isn't always code-compliant.
- Soffit, fascia, and trim replacement
- Replacing soffit and fascia along with the siding is common because the existing material is often similarly aged. Soffit and fascia runs $6-$12/linear ft. On a typical home with 150-200 linear ft, that's $900-$2,400 added. Trim around windows and doors adds $200-$600.
- Sheathing repairs and insulation backing
- Rot or damage in the existing sheathing discovered after tear-off runs $2-$5/sq ft to replace. Adding rigid foam insulation backing behind new siding costs $0.50-$1.50/sq ft (half-inch polyiso) to $0.75-$1.50/sq ft (one-inch XPS), improving wall R-value by R-3 to R-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does each siding material last?
Vinyl siding carries 30-year manufacturer warranties and can last 40+ years in moderate climates. Fiber-cement is warranted for 50 years by most manufacturers and is highly resistant to impact, rot, and pests. Wood siding lasts 20-40 years with diligent painting every 5-7 years. Metal siding lasts 40+ years with minimal maintenance.
How much maintenance does each material require?
Vinyl requires annual cleaning (pressure washing) but no painting. Fiber-cement needs repainting every 10-15 years but holds paint exceptionally well. Wood siding needs painting every 5-7 years and periodic caulking — it has the highest ongoing maintenance cost. Metal is essentially maintenance-free beyond cleaning.
Does new siding improve energy efficiency?
Siding itself provides minimal R-value. The energy improvement comes from the opportunity to add insulated sheathing behind the new siding (rigid foam, $0.50-$1.50/sq ft added), which can reduce heating and cooling costs by 5-15% depending on climate and existing insulation levels.
When should I repair rather than replace siding?
If damage is limited to one or two wall sections, repair or panel replacement is far cheaper than full replacement. Replace the full house when more than 20-25% of panels show damage, when the substrate behind the siding is compromised, or when the existing material is failing systemically (e.g., fiber-cement that wasn't primed before painting on all four sides).
Last updated 2026-05-24.