PROS 

• inexpensive (about $6.50 - $12.50 per square foot), 
• fairly easy to install, 
• wide variety of color and design choices; versatility, 
• high ROI (return on investment)
• Excellent R-Value (insulated/foam backed vinyl)
• Won’t rot
• Insect resistant
• Fades evenly
• Low maintenance; easy to clean
• Warrantied to last under normal conditions 40 to 50 years 

CONS 

• easily damaged
• Not as attractive as other options; looks “like plastic” 
• Noticeable seams
• Fire and concentrated heat melt it (barbecues)
• Doesn’t hold up to UV rays
• Dents and damages easily (especially low end, thinner varieties)
• If you get tired of the color, you have to replace it

Vinyl (PVC) siding is one of the most common types of siding you see for a few reasons. First, it is a familiar product so homeowners are comfortable with it. Second, it is one of the most affordable types of siding materials on the market. It is light and relatively easy to install so the cost to have vinyl siding installed by an exterior remodeling contractor or siding installation company is low in comparison to other types of siding. It is very versatile.  There’s not a single siding style it can’t emulate. It comes in a wide variety of styles and colors so you’re sure to find a style you like. 

However, vinyl siding is not as durable as many of the other siding options available. Hail, the odd ball, wind, or the things falling from the sky will damage it. Vinyl siding manufacturers warranty their products when properly installed, and under normal wear conditions, for 40 to 50 years which is comparable to other products. 

The average cost for vinyl siding is between $6.50 and $12.50 per square foot installed which even on the high-end is quite low compared to other siding options. 

For hollow-back vinyl siding, the price can range from $6.50 to $9.00 per square foot depending on the style you choose and the design of your house. 

Insulated vinyl siding (or foam backed vinyl siding), which provides more protection and insulation for your home, can cost on average between $7.50 and $12.50 per square foot installed. 


All in all, vinyl siding will get the job done and a good option if you are improving your curb appeal in order to sell your home or property due to its excellent Return On Investment (ROI). 

Wood Siding (4 Main Options)

PROS OF NATURAL WOOD SIDING

• Fairly durable when properly maintained
• Natural beauty
• Eco-friendly (except for the chopping down trees part)
• Easier to install than most other types of siding, if not all
• Can be repainted (needs to be painted or stained every 3 - 10 years)

CONS OF NATURAL WOOD SIDING

• Requires ongoing, never-ending maintenance which costs you time and money
• Although the labor costs are low, the wood materials are quite expensive ($9.50 - $15.50 per square foot on average)
• Prone to rot, insect and pest infestations (not to mention the incessant tapping from woodpeckers)
• Cracks and splits
• Burns easily, unless treated
• Low ROI when factor in material and maintenance costs (77% return on investment on average)

The main style options for wood siding are categorized based on the way they are installed:  bevel, shingles, board-and-batten, and split-log. In addition, there are numerous wood siding sub-options available based on the grain, cut, shape, and color. The cost of wood siding varies greatly depending on grade, grain, cut, and style. 

Bevel Wood Siding

Also referred to as clapboard or lap siding, bevel wood siding is the most common style of wood siding you see on American homes. Traditionally, oak, pine, and spruce grains are used but if you are painting rather than staining, any grain will work just fine. 

Bevel wood siding typically is installed horizontally using 10 foot boards but the width can vary from 6 inches to 8 inches and is totally a stylistic choice and up to you. 

How the boards are stacked on the exterior of your home is also a stylistic choice which can impact the look and cost of your wood siding. 

Board-And-Batten Wood Siding

via WoodHaven Log Lumber

Simply known as vertical wood siding or barn-style wood siding, board-and-batten got its name from the installation technique itself. The boards are lined up vertically side-by-side and the seams are covered by a strip called Batten. It is typically installed in a very uniform fashion to demonstrate craftsmanship. 

Board-and-batten wood siding can be achieved quite inexpensively by using pine, fir, or plywood, if you are painting it a solid color. Knotty woods like cedar and knotty pine are great if you want to achieve a cabin-like or more “natural” look. 

Because of its simple style and installation method, board-and-batten is probably the easiest type of wood siding to install, maintain, and repair. 

Split-Log Wood Siding

Split-Log Wood Siding, also known as “D-Siding” because the wood siding protrudes away from your house in the shape of (you guessed it) a letter “D,” gives your home that log cabin look without having it look the same on the interior and exterior. 

Of all the types of natural wood siding, split-log is the most expensive, running you between $3 and $6 per square foot. Why the big price range? Because not all logs are the same size. 

Half log siding is 3 inches thick and 8 to 15 feet long. You can choose the width of your boards to be anywhere from 6 to 12 inches. There is also quarter log wood siding which is thinner so some manufacturers and retailers may refer to this as full log, even though it is clearly half of a log. 



The nice thing about split-log wood siding is that you don’t need to stain it, unless it is made of pine. Just clean it every decade and you’re good to go. 

Wood Shakes And Shingles Siding

Wood shakes and shingles are really 2 different styles of wood siding but people tend to use the terms interchangeably. 

This is the most traditional style of wood siding installation as it was hand cut. Shakes were axe cut while shingles were cut with a saw, back in the day. Today, they are both cut using a saw but the surface texture is manipulated to give shakes that traditional appearance. 

Unlike bevel wood siding, shakes and shingles are small rectangular planks and typically referred to as “cedar shakes” because the primary grain used is cedar, although other grains like pine and redwood can also be used. There are numerous stylistic choices available based upon grain, cut, and smoothness of the board’s surface. The choices really are virtually limitless. 

You can even install wood shake and shingle siding yourself but a siding installation contractor will do it faster, better, and get your wood shingles and siding installation materials for less than you can.

Engineered Wood Siding

Via KWPProducts.com

PROS OF ENGINEERED WOOD SIDING

• Less expensive and lower maintenance than natural wood (average $8.50 to $14.50 per square foot)
• More durable
• Can imitate shakes, shingles, board-and-batten, bevel, and split-log siding in a variety of grains
• Less fungi and rot resistant than natural wood (high end manufacturers guarantee total rot and pest resistance)
• Less resistant to insect and pest infestations; guaranteed against termites
• Will not rot, crack, or split
• Eco-friendly
• Long warranty - 50 years against cracking, denting, and hail damage; 25 years on the finish
• Good ROI (79% return on investment on average)
• Pre-painted in factory any color you want (custom finishes will cost more, of course)
• Can be repainted but doesn’t have to be (finish typically has a lifetime guarantee)

CONS OF ENGINEERED WOOD SIDING

• Siding materials are costly but labor is not
• Requires ongoing maintenance which increases investment costs
• Still can experience insect and animal infestations (it’s still wood after all)
• Fire retardant but can still burn

Engineered or composite wood siding (LP SmartSlideTM) is the next step up to natural wood siding. Engineered wood siding is constructed using wood strands coated in a was and resin binders. It is then heat-pressed. The resin helps make engineered wood siding more resistant to rot, insects, and pests. It is lighter than natural wood which makes it easier to work with. 

Most engineered wood siding products are made from wood waste and recycled wood so it is recognized as a green siding material option.

Stucco Siding

PROS

• Very durable
• Low maintenance
• Can be painted
• Offers decent insulation after the application of several coats, however it will never achieve the R-Value of most other types of siding
• Color lasts quite long as does the texture
• Limitless texture and color choices
• Resistant to insects and fire

CONS

• Expensive as it’s labor-intensive  ($9.00 to $15.00 a square foot)
• Requires skill to install 
• Poor insulation with a single coat
• Prone to cracking, especially if poorly installed
• Doesn’t last as long as it should in humid, rainy climates
• ROI is quote low at 70%

Exterior stucco is a plaster made from cement so there is a drying and curing time between coats to consider. It is not the type of siding that can be completed in a day or so. 

Applying stucco siding starts with applying a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from getting behind your stucco and damaging the exterior of your home. Next a metal lathe is applied to the exterior surfaces of your home to give the stucco something to hold on to. Then a scratch coat is applied. It is a cement layer that covers the metal lathe and gives the layers of stucco something to adhere to. 

If you want colored stucco, the color is mixed in with the stucco as are any minerals needed to give you the look you want for the exterior of your home. 

Here are just a few stucco siding texture and color options to give you an idea what can be achieved. 

Stucco siding installation is a painstaking process that must be done properly or it will fail and end up costing you even more in the long run. If you choose this siding option, make sure you have a siding installation contractor who has proven experience with stucco or a masonry contractor apply it. 

You can expect to pay between $18 000 to $30 000 to install stucco siding on an average-sized home. While you may only get about 70% return on your investment in stucco siding, its unique aesthetic possibilities is what gives stucco its appeal. 

Brick Siding (2 Main Options)

PROS

• Lasts a century or longer if installed properly by a skilled masonry contractor
• Offers the highest ROI (83%+ return on investment when you sell your home)
• Extremely durable
• Holds up to wind and wind damage better than other types of siding material
• Impervious to insects and pests
• Doesn’t rot
• Low maintenance
• Okay R-Value

CONS

• Takes skill to install, maintain, and repair, thus more expensive than other types of siding
• Not waterproof and moisture damage can be a significant issue if not installed by a skilled masonry contractor
• Higher Installation costs that all other types of siding in terms of material costs and skilled labor
• Colors are limited to the clay used to make the brick and not uniform
  

When it comes to brick siding, there are really 2 main options when a brick veneer is added to an already constructed home. It can be thin or half-brick, but we don’t recommend it, or full brick veneer siding. It’s called a veneer because it is not holding up the structure of your home but added as a decorative feature. 

Whole Brick Veneer Siding

Whole brick veneer takes full advantage of what this siding material has to offer. It’s what people envision when they think of brick siding. The bricks are typically 2 inches high, 4 inches thick and 8 inches long. They are held together by mortar but are not attached to the sheathing or vapor barrier on the exterior of your home to allow water and moisture to drain downward. 

Leaving a 1 inch gap between the exterior of your home and your brick veneer siding prevents mold and mildew from growing and damaging your home. Doing this also increases the R-Value of your brick veneer siding. 

Thin Brick Veneer Siding

This brick siding alternative uses brick faces under an inch thick. It is installed similar to that of stucco siding. Because it is thinner than whole brick veneer, is installed using grout, and adhered right on to the exterior of your home, there are less issues with water drainage and moisture. A moisture barrier installed between the thin brick veneer siding and the exterior of your home will give you the protection you need. 

As mentioned earlier, thin brick veneer siding is “not recommended” because it does not provide any real insulation. While it may look just like whole brick veneer siding, it is not nearly as durable, or long lasting and the labor cost and skill required to install it is almost the same. 

Stone Siding (2 Main Options)

PROS

• Highly durable and longest lasting of all types of siding materials (over a century with little to no repairs or maintenance)
• Unmatched in terms of beauty and color (with the exception of wood)
• Fire and insect resistant
• Offers the best insulation properties of all siding materials
• No noise issues (compared to metal siding)
• Requires very little maintenance
• Offers exceptional ROI at 92% return on your investment

CONS

• Very expensive (natural stone veneer siding costs on average $17.00 to $35.00 per square foot; faux stone veneer averages between $15.00 to $25.00 per square foot)
• Installation is extremely labor intensive
• If not properly installed by masonry contractor it can actually harm your home
• If it ever needs repairs, that too is extremely costly
• Limited color choices and the color is not uniform
• There is a lot of variation which can be a disadvantage or advantage depending on how you look at it

Like brick veneer siding, stone siding is an extremely durable and lasting siding option. Real stone requires a mason’s skill to install and is labor-intensive. Stone siding offers a natural finish to your home. Like wood, stone siding has a manufactured option - faux stone - that promises the same durability and aesthetic but is lighter and less costly. 

Natural Stone Veneer Siding 

The cost to install natural veneer stone siding to an average-sized home is around $65 000 but lasts over a century without requiring refinishing or repair quite easily.  It requires a skilled stonemason to install properly and takes a very long time as each stone has to be individually placed and stacked to achieve the look you desire. 

Faux Stone Veneer Siding

Faux stone veneer siding in the siding installation industry is referred to as cast or MSV. It is made from cement using a dozen pigments or more that is cast in molds made from natural stones to give it the appearance and feel of natural stone veneer siding. 

As a result, faux stone veneer is much lighter than natural stone. It is easier and cheaper to manufacture. Because it is light, it is easier and cheaper to install as well. 

While being lighter has its benefits, it also has its drawbacks. Cement/stone faux stone veneer siding will not last as long as its natural counterpart (60 years minimum versus 100+ years). But the cost difference makes up for the loss in life span. 

Metal Siding (4 Main Options)

PROS

• Durability and longevity revels that of whole brick veneer (100 years or more)
• Malleable so can be formed around your home and imitate other types of siding - board-and-batten, bevel, shingles, planks, even split-log siding
• Fire resistant
• Water-proof
• 100% recyclable
• Holds up to wind and wind damage better than any other siding material
• Insect and pest infestations will never be an issue
• Fairly low  to zero maintenance
• R-Value for insulation is equal to brick; insulated steel siding offers the highest R-Value available (but will cost more)
• Excellent ROI at 80%+ 
• Color options are virtually limitless; custom color will cost more

CONS

• Difficult to repair and requires a skilled hand, therefore, costly
• Prone to denting and scratching
• Have a ping sound when rain or hail strike it
• Installations costs are high as a skilled metal siding installation contractor is required
• Can be painted and repainted, but will need refinishing



Metal siding is malleable which makes it very versatile. It can be shaped into any style we’ve talked about so far. However, it tends to have its own siding style - corrugated sheets. 

The cost to have metal siding installed varies greatly depending on the alloy selected, style, and the complexity of your siding installation project. Loosely speaking, the cost of metal siding averages between $7.50 and $25.00 per square foot. 

Aluminum Or Galvanized Steel Siding

Via Bridger Steel

For high end Kynar 500 or G-90 Galvanized (or Galvalume) steel siding, you can expect to pay between $10.00 to $15.00 on average.

Steel siding needs to be galvanized and coated with a high-end paint finish to prevent weathering and rust. Galvanized steel is ideal for painting and holds paint finish better than aluminum siding. Because steel siding, if properly galvanized and coated, doesn’t corrode like aluminum can, there is less maintenance involved which will save you time and money over the lifespan of your siding. 

However, steel is heavier and more expensive than aluminum to purchase and install. Also, if you live in a moist/rainy climate, steel is not optimal but aluminum may be. 

Aluminum siding is lighter, softer and more malleable than steel siding which makes it easier to install and thus cheaper. It is also the least expensive metal siding option. 

Via Bridger Steel

Aluminum doesn’t hold color as well as steel which can make color matching if you need to replace a siding panel later on nearly impossible. 

On the plus side, aluminum siding doesn’t rust so coated finishes aren’t necessary, whereas they are if you go with steel siding. However, most homeowners prefer coated aluminum siding to give their homes a splash of color. If you opt for coated aluminum siding, expect to add repainting every few years to your maintenance to avoid oxidation once your initial paint finish wears off. 

Zinc Siding

Via Bridger Steel

Depending on the thickness of the metal, the zinc cladding, insulation level, and the difficulty and scope of your particular siding installation project, the cost to install zinc steel siding on your home ranges on average between $12.50 and $18.00 per square foot. 

Like copper siding, zinc siding doesn’t corrode and changes color over time. In this case, it starts as a cobalt color and changes to a patina blue. 

Rainwater has a tendency to run off zinc siding readily which helps prevent mold and fungi growth. As the 23rd most abundant element, zinc is half the cost of copper but more expensive than aluminum. 

Copper Siding

Via Bridger Steel

The most expensive of all metal siding options is copper. Homeowners can expect to pay an average of $16.50 and $26.00 a square foot for a copper siding installation. The wide price range for copper siding is due to the variations in metal panel profiles, manufacturers, the specifics of the job, location, and other variables. 

Over time, copper steel siding will naturally patina going from a shiny goldy orange to a rich brown or black and eventually, to a blue/green finish in humid areas. Keep in mind that in dry climates, you may never see that traditional blue/green patina we have come to associate with copper. 

The patina that forms on copper and zinc steel siding acts as a protective layer that coats the surface of your siding for a very long time which means it is a zero maintenance siding option. Copper metal siding can last hundreds of years and it’s luxurious appearance is why it’s becoming an increasingly popular siding and design choice in modern architecture and residential exterior siding applications. 

If you are considering metal siding for your home, while copper is the most expensive option at about $25.00 per square foot, there are no maintenance costs, it will protect your home for hundreds of years, and offers an exceptional return on investment. 

Fiber Cement Siding (4 Main Options)

PROS

• Low maintenance
• Non-flammable 
• Insect and pest resistant
• Moisture and rot resistant
• Storm and Weather Resistant
• Holds up to weather better than any other lap siding material
• Decent ROI (about 69%) and homeowners love it (scores 100% in Joy Factor according to NARI’s Remodeling Income Report) 
• Long-lasting and extremely durable (50 - 100 years)
• Mimics the look of shakes, shingles, board-and-batten, bevel, stucco, metal, smooth, textured, and rough, and more
• Color, design, and texture choices are virtually limitless
• Finish guaranteed for 25 years (James Hardie Siding)
• Premium siding material that is relatively affordable compared to brick, stone, and steel siding

CONS

• Very heavy siding material; requires a team of experienced siding installers to install properly
• If improperly installed, moisture can build up beneath the surface and cause issues
• R-Value for insulation varies (James Hardie has fiber cement siding options specifically designed to provide the best protection and insulation value for your climate zone) 
• Very specific installation instructions that must be followed in order for warranty to be honored. Installation is best left to a siding installation company who is recognized by the fiber cement siding manufacturer. 
  

The last siding option on our list is fiber cement siding. We saved this one for last because it is the one we prefer, specifically James Hardie fiber cement siding. While we have experience and skill with all types of siding, we love James Hardie fiber cement siding. It offers premium quality, tremendous variety and customization options, at a reasonable price. 

Commonly known as James Hardie siding due to the fact that they created it, fiber cement siding is a mix of cement, wood pulp, clay and sand. It is as durable as vinyl but looks more natural. Fiber cement siding can last up to 100 years but will need painting before then. 

There are four main types of fiber cement siding: HardiePlank lap siding, HardieShingle shakes and shingles, Hardie textured panels, and HardiePanel vertical siding.

HardiePlank Lap Siding

Via James Hardie Siding

HardiePlank lap siding is the most common type of fiber cement siding homeowners choose because it mimics the look of traditional wood bevel siding. You can choose a rough or smooth finish and any color that suits you. They will even mix a custom color for additional cost. 

The average cost to have James Hardie lap siding installed on a 2 000 square foot American home range from $15 000 to $29 000, according to 2021 data. 

James Hardie also offers a premium or architectural grade horizontal fiber cement siding option. Artisanal Lap Siding offers superior structural integrity using their patented technology. This type of fiber cement siding is their highest quality lap siding product and comes in a wide variety of design and color options. 

Artisanal Lap Siding is designed to replicate historical home designs like Tudor, Victorian, Colonial, Greek Revival, and more. To see some of the designs that can be achieved, take a look at their gallery or talk to us. 

HardieShingle Shake And Shingle Siding

Via James Hardie Siding

As we discussed in the wood siding section, fiber cement shakes and shingles are identified by the way they were traditionally cut. Just like with wood shakes and shingles, there are a variety of shakes and shingles siding styles available in fiber cement siding and limitless looks that can be achieved depending on their installation. 

HardieShingles can be straight, staggered, or rounded on the edge, and installed staggered or straight.