2022 Pricing Guide: How Much Does Vinyl Siding Cost Per Square Foot?

Written By Kenneth Wilson  |  0 Comments

Vinyl siding is an excellent choice for your home exterior needs, thanks to its cost-effectiveness and a wide variety of color, design, and texture styles. This will cost you $4.5 to $13 per square foot on average (excluding labor costs and equipment rental). Total prices will vary based on the type of vinyl siding and your property location.

If you’re one of the homeowners wondering what to expect in the average vinyl siding costs, we’ll cover everything you need to know. (Related article: Vinyl Siding Cost And Consumer Guide)

What is Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, one of the massively-produced plastics worldwide. It is often found in pipes, but the material is highly versatile.

Vinyl siding was notoriously associated with cracking, fading, and warping in its early years. Thanks to advancements in technology, modern vinyl siding is now manufactured to be much more durable. You can count on this material to withstand harsh conditions without compromising your home’s aesthetics!

Vinyl Siding Average Costs

Refer to the table below for the average vinyl siding costs per square foot.

Square Footage

Average Costs

1,000 sq. ft.

$4,500 to $13,000

1,200 sq. ft.

$5,400 to $15,600

1,500 sq. ft.

$6,750 to $19,500

2,000 sq. ft.

$9,000 to $26,000

Depending on the vinyl siding type and style you prefer, expect to spend between $4.5 and $13 per square foot or $450 to $1,300 per square on average. This covers both material and labor costs. (Related: How Much Does Vinyl Siding Cost For A 1500 Sq Ft House?)

  • Vertical vinyl siding starts from $6.5 per square foot
  • Vinyl log siding costs $5 per square foot

Vinyl Siding: Cost Factors

The cost of your vinyl siding project will depend on several factors beyond the siding quality of your preference. This includes your home’s total exterior area and any irregularly shaped areas, as it may make the installation more challenging than it has to be.

Professional installation costs may vary, especially if you need old siding removal first. Note that this will only increase the costs.

1. Vinyl Siding Materials

Vinyl siding material costs start from $4 to $8 per square foot. Homeowners can estimate the total size of their home’s exterior as rectangles and triangles.

  • Any rectangular space is measured by multiplying the base and height.
  • The area of a triangular space is equal to ½ its base times the size.
  • The total area will be the sum.

Multiply the total estimated area with its unit price and get a ballpark estimate of the total cost of vinyl siding.

Suppose your home has an exterior area of 1,500 sq. ft. Then:

$4 x 1,500 = $6,000
$8 x 1,500 = $12,000

However, you may still need to consider other materials such as nails, trim pieces, etc. Soffits (fascia pieces) range between $2.5 and $22 per linear foot, depending on the material quality.

Expert-backed tip: As much as possible, include at least 10% extra material for your project. This is the average waste produced when contractors cut vinyl siding pieces to various sizes.

2. Vinyl Siding Labor

Labor costs for vinyl siding installation run from $3.5 to $6 per square foot. For a 1,500-square-foot area, you’re looking at $5,250 to $9,000.

The labor costs may only increase with tough home exteriors (up to 20%). If you need to remove any existing siding before installing the new one, this may add $0.6 per square foot.

3. Total Installation

For both materials and professional installation costs, a 1,500-square-foot exterior will cost you from $11,250 to $21,000. This ballpark estimate covers the material, equipment, labor, and supplies.

Homeowners who want to install the siding by themselves may trim the costs for professional labor. However, if you lack the expertise and experience, it’s best to invest in a professional installation. The last thing you’d want to do is spend more to fix any mistakes in the process.

Advantages of Vinyl Siding

Here are some of the benefits you can expect in choosing vinyl siding.

  • Durability. Most vinyl siding is built to resist a wind speed of over 100 mph. Since it is made of plastic, vinyl is relatively immune to water damage. You won’t need to worry about painting it if you opt for vinyl siding.
  • Energy efficiency. Nowadays, some vinyl siding makes your home much more energy-efficient because of the additional insulation that comes with it.
  • Fade-resistant. Modern vinyl siding is guaranteed to last for years without its color fading despite exposure to the sun.

Factors in Choosing the Right Vinyl Siding for Your House

Below are some of the factors to consider as you choose a vinyl siding material.

  • Color. Fortunately, vinyl siding is available in a wide range of colors. Choose the right siding color that fits your home’s aesthetic.
  • Pattern/Style. Traditional vinyl siding mimics the appearance of wood, which adds a rustic vibe to your home. This material is also available in accents and styles, such as scallops and shakes. Many manufacturers offer vinyl siding that takes on natural wood's high-end aesthetic and looks. But the good thing is, it’s designed to last long.
  • Thickness. According to the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), vinyl siding must be at least 0.035 inches thick. More durable panels are a minimum of 0.04 inches in thickness. That said, the thickness of the material may affect the cost.

Insulation

Today, you can choose to go with vinyl siding with additional insulation. This is an excellent choice for homes that are poorly insulated.

Ultimately, check weather ratings and durability details for the vinyl siding material that you want to purchase. It is ideal to choose one designed to withstand the weather conditions in your area and is specifically built to last.

Vinyl Siding: What to Keep in Mind

The thing about vinyl siding is that it's a crowd-favorite choice for a good reason. It has a relatively affordable price tag, easy maintenance, high durability, and a wide variety of options.

Homeowners who want to make greener choices for their homes can also benefit from the environmental-friendliness of vinyl siding. This contrasts with other options such as painting, which may only release toxic fumes into the environment. Regardless, it would be best to do your research before investing in vinyl siding for your home.

Here are some other considerations to keep in mind:

  • In choosing vinyl siding, consider the historical value of your home. Choosing "period" patterns may help you maintain its property value.
  • Proper installation is essential. Homeowners who choose to go the DIY route just to cut costs may make errors. This may lead to leaks and other serious problems that require costly and extensive repairs.
  • You may not need to tear down and remove your old siding in some cases. Talk to your installer if you can skip this step.
  • Always think long-term when it comes to vinyl siding. Although the upfront costs of this project can be relatively high with professional labor involved, it will pay off in the long run.
  • Cheap, poor-quality vinyl siding may only save you some money right now. You are likely to spend more on siding replacement soon in the long run. Consider investing in high-quality premium material instead.
  • If possible, choose vinyl siding that comes with warranty coverage. This gives you additional protection in the event of unforeseen damage.
  • Maintenance is relatively easy when it comes to vinyl siding. You don't need to do power washing, for starters. Instead, you can use water mixed with either vinegar or laundry detergent. This will help you easily clean the exterior of your home.

If you've considered all of your siding options and determined that vinyl siding material fits your home needs, contact a local installer to get started with your project!

About the Author

I can build it, and I can help you get the patio enclosure you want! I got my start in the Florida patio industry back in the 70s as a young general laborer looking for something to make a few bucks. At the time I never thought it would end up as my career. Over the years I grew beyond the laborer position, becoming a foreman, superintendent, and then into executive management for some of the largest patio contractors, and material vendors. Now into retirement and slightly bored, I offer consulting services to new and existing contractors, and publish this website to help the people who love their patio's and screen enclosures the most - YOU!

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