Best House Siding Materials For 2024

Installing new siding on your house is a major, labor-intensive home improvement project. There are various home siding materials for you to choose from, mainly natural wood, vinyl, stone, and brick.

In order to figure out which siding material is the best choice, you will need to consider its durability, installation and maintenance requirements, aesthetic value, and of course, the price.

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Siding Materials Prices Per Square Foot

Installing siding enhances your home’s exterior appearance and also increases its value.

Not to mention that it improves the home’s insulation and makes it more resistant to harsh weather conditions.

While adding or replacing exterior siding is an extensive home improvement project, it can be done at a reasonable budget. Various siding materials are available for budget-friendly prices, each with its own set of pros and cons.

The average cost to install new siding is $11.40 per square foot.

If you’re interested in the most affordable siding materials, like wood, vinyl, and metal, you can expect to pay as little as $1.90 per square foot.

If you’re willing to invest in the most expensive siding materials, such as stucco, brick, and stone, one square foot can cost up to $47.50.

Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of siding materials and how much they cost per square foot.

Siding Material	Prices per Square Foot	Average Cost per Square Foot
Wood	$2.10-$6.30	$4.33
Vinyl	$2.85-$11.40	$4.80
Metal	$3.30-$7.25	$5.40
Engineered Wood	$3.80-$6.17	$3.40
Fiber Cement	$4.27-$10.70	$5.70
Stucco	$5.25-$7.13	$7.00
Brick	$10.45-$25.65	$8.55
Stone	$26.60-$47.50	$19.00

Keep in mind that these prices account for the cost of materials and the cost of labor.

If you’re interested in how much labor costs separately, it’s anywhere between $1.00 to $13.00 per square foot. Some siding companies charge by the hour, while others set a fixed price for the entire project.

Pro Tip: If you choose home siding that’s easy to install, it’s better to hire contractors who charge by the hour. But if you go with a more labor-intensive project, hiring contractors who charge per project will be the smarter way to go.

Total Siding Installation Cost Break Down

The national average cost of installing new siding on a 2,000-square-foot house is $10,212.

You can expect to pay a total of $5,130 for low-cost materials, while installing more expensive siding materials tends to cost $16,150.

When it comes to low-end vs. high-end projects, the prices can be as low as $2,300 and as high as $90,000.

Siding Material	Total Installation Cost
Wood	$4,750-$22,800
Vinyl	$5,700-$16,050
Metal	$2,850-$13,300
Engineered Wood	$8,660-$13,180
Fiber Cement	$10,900-$21,400
Stucco	$8,000-$18,050
Brick	$9,500-$28,500
Stone	$14,250-$33,250

There are many factors that can influence the total price of the installation. The most important ones include the square footage of your home, the type of siding you choose, local labor costs, the complexity of the project, and removing old siding.

Did you know? You may need to set extra money aside to remove the old siding. This additional expense can cost from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the size of the home and the current condition of the siding. If you choose vinyl siding, you will be able to avoid these costs since it can be installed on top of existing siding.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Siding Materials?

Below are the most common types of siding materials you can use for your home improvement project.

Wood

Wood is one of the most affordable types of siding materials.

Wood siding is a classic choice, and can give your house a warm, natural look.

There are various types of wood siding designs, including shakes, clapboards, shingles, and plywood.

Wood siding is biodegradable, so it’s an eco-friendly choice in that regard.

It’s easy to install, sand, paint, and seal wood siding.

As long as it’s properly maintained, wood shingles can last between 20 and 40 years.

Wood siding requires ongoing maintenance, including painting, sealing, and staining. It also requires special care because it’s susceptible to rot, termites, and mold.

In some areas that are prone to wildfires, wood siding is not allowed.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the most popular and affordable exterior siding material.

It’s durable and easy to install and maintain.

Vinyl requires little to no maintenance, and it can last for 20 years.

Vinyl siding is resistant to insects and rot.

It’s a great choice if you want different color options.

It’s not the hardest siding material. It dents easily, is difficult to replace, and it’s not waterproof, which doesn’t make it suitable for areas with extreme weather conditions.

If it’s exposed to direct sunlight, its color can fade over time.

Metal

Not all types of metal siding are made equal, which is why metal siding can be relatively cost-effective or on the pricier end of the scale.

Aside from regular steel and aluminum siding, other types of metal siding include corrugated metal siding, standing seam metal siding, batten steel siding, and box rib metal siding.

What all these types of metal siding have in common is durability.

Metal siding is waterproof and fireproof, and it can take almost anything.

You won’t have to worry about corrosion or warping.

Thanks to its energy efficiency, metal siding can reduce energy bills.

Disadvantages of metal siding include bad sound insulation, limited color options, and a cold, metallic appearance.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood siding is an improved version of traditional natural wood siding.

Did you know? Engineered wood is made from sawdust, wood shavings, wood flakes, and other forms of wood “leftovers,” which makes them eco-friendly and sustainable. Not only is engineered wood siding more durable than natural wood siding, but it’s also more affordable.

However, since it’s made from wood, it’s susceptible to moisture damage.

This also makes this type of siding vulnerable to mold and mildew.

It’s important to note that engineered wood isn’t perfect. It can crack over time, and its color can fade.

Fiber Cement

What’s great about fiber cement siding is that it can be made to look like other siding materials, like stucco, wood, or masonry.

It requires regular maintenance, but nothing too complicated.

Installing fiber cement siding isn’t easy. And it has to be painted and sanded when it’s installed.

Fiber cement siding is durable, and it can even perform well in harsh weather conditions. It’s also fireproof and pest-proof.

Stucco

Stucco siding is a great option for homeowners who want a colorful exterior.

Stucco comes in every color you can imagine, and it also retains color well over time.

Another advantage of stucco is that it’s extremely durable, and can even last up to 80 years.

It’s fireproof and pest-proof.

Since stucco is heavy and thick, installing it isn’t simple.

It can crack easily, requiring constant repairs. This leads to moisture damage and other types of issues.

Brick

Brick siding is one of the most expensive options out there, and it gives your home a traditional look.

Once installed, brick siding can last a lifetime.

This is because brick is highly resistant to fire, insects, and rot.

Since bricks are heavier than other materials, they’re harder to install.

Note that bricks are available in limited color options.

Stone

If you have the budget for it, stone siding provides a home with natural, classic beauty.

It’s a good option for homeowners who want textured siding material.

Stone siding is a premium material, and it’s quite labor-intensive as well.

After it’s installed, it can last a lifetime. It’s so durable, it can withstand the most extreme weather conditions.

Just like brick, stone siding is only available in a few colors.

On the bright side, the color of the stone won’t fade over time.

Siding Material Costs, Pros And Cons

Here are the most important pros and cons of each siding material.

Wood

Cost per square foot: $2.10-$6.30

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $4,750-$22,800

Pros:

• If it’s properly maintained, it can last for 20 to 40 years.
• Wood siding offers a timeless, classic, and warm look.
• It’s available in different styles, like shingles, clapboard, shakes, and plywood.
• Wood siding is easy to install and repair.

Cons:

• Wood siding requires ongoing maintenance, including painting, staining, and sealing.
• It’s not resistant to fire.
• Since wood siding is susceptible to termites, rot, and mold, it requires special care.

Vinyl

Cost per square foot: $2.85-$11.40

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $5,700-$16,050

Pros:

• Vinyl is the easiest material to install, and it requires little to no maintenance.
• It can be installed over existing siding, even over stucco and brick.
• It’s a budget-friendly choice.
• Vinyl is available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Cons :

• Vinyl may not be the best option for areas with extreme weather conditions.
• Its color can fade due to exposure to direct sunlight.
• Vinyl siding doesn’t increase the home’s resale value.
• It isn’t waterproof, so it can sustain some water damage.

Metal

Cost per square foot: $3.30-$7.25

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $2,850-$13,300

Pros:

• Metal siding is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, insects, and fire.
• It’s energy-efficient, reducing utility bills.
• Metal siding won’t rust or corrode.
• It has low maintenance requirements, and it can be painted.

Cons:

• The cold, metallic appearance might not appeal to everyone.
• Metal siding offers bad sound insulation.
• You won’t get a lot of color options.

Engineered Wood

Cost per square foot: $3.80-$6.17

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $8,660-$13,180

Pros:

• Engineered wood siding is sustainable and eco-friendly.
• It’s even more durable and long-lasting than natural wood siding.
• Engineered wood is an affordable alternative to natural wood.
• It’s easy to install engineered wood siding.

Cons:

• It’s not moisture-resistant, so it can lead to mold and mildew growth.
• Engineered wood can crack, and its color can fade over time.

Fiber Cement

Cost per square foot: $4.27-$10.70

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $10,900-$21,400

Pros:

• Fiber cement works well in all weather conditions.
• It’s fireproof and pest-proof.
• Fiber cement is durable, and it can last for up to 50 years.

Cons:

• Fiber cement is not resistant to moisture.
• It’s challenging to install fiber cement siding, and it requires painting and sanding.
• Fiber siding can’t be installed over old siding.

Stucco

Cost per square foot: $5.25-$7.13

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $8,000-$18,050

Pros:

• Stucco is available in all colors, and it retains color well throughout the years.
• It’s a very durable material, and can last for 80 years.
• Stucco is resistant to fire and insects.

Cons:

• Stucco requires regular maintenance.
• It cracks easily, which can lead to moisture damage.

Brick

Cost per square foot: $10.45-$25.65

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $9,500-$28,500

Pros:

• Brick siding has a classic, timeless appearance.
• This siding material can last a lifetime.
• It’s an eco-friendly option.
• It’s resistant to fire, insects, and rot.

Cons:

• Bricks come with limited color options.
• This siding material is quite expensive.
• It’s heavy, so it’s hard to install.

Stone

Cost per square foot: $26.60-$47.50

Cost for a 2,000-square foot installation: $14,250-$33,250

Pros:

• Stone siding is extremely durable, and it can withstand harsh weather conditions.
• It has low maintenance requirements.
• Stone siding is resistant to fire and heat.
• It provides the house with a natural and traditional look.

Cons :

• Stone siding is the most expensive type of siding.
• Installing stone siding takes time, energy, and skill.

Pro Tip: Brick can be painted but once you do, it will have to be maintained with fresh paint every five years or so.

What Is the Best Siding?

Deciding on the best siding depends on your home’s requirements, the look you’re going for, and your budget.

No matter which siding material you choose, you’ll give your home a fresh, new look.