New siding transforms a home’s appearance and protects the structure underneath from moisture, wind, insects, and UV damage for decades. With siding options ranging from $3 to $30+ per square foot installed, the decision involves more than just looks — maintenance commitment, climate suitability, and long-term durability all factor into which material makes sense for your home. This guide compares every major siding type so you can make an informed choice.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl dominates the US residential siding market with roughly 30% market share. It costs $3-$8 per square foot installed, requires almost zero maintenance beyond occasional washing, and comes in hundreds of colors and profiles including clapboard, Dutch lap, shake, and board-and-batten. Modern insulated vinyl siding (with a foam backing) adds R-2 to R-5 insulation value and reduces outside noise.
Durability averages 20-40 years depending on quality grade. Premium vinyl from CertainTeed, Alside, and Ply Gem resists fading and impact better than budget options. The main drawbacks: vinyl can crack in extreme cold (below -20°F), melts near heat sources like grills, and cannot be painted — you are locked into the original color unless you replace it. For a 2,000-square-foot home, expect total vinyl siding costs of $6,000-$16,000 installed.
Fiber Cement Siding
James Hardie fiber cement (HardiePlank) has become the premium choice for homeowners who want durability without the price of real wood. Made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, it resists fire, rot, termites, and impact. Costs run $6-$13 per square foot installed, and it comes pre-primed or pre-painted with a 15-year color warranty from Hardie’s ColorPlus line.
Fiber cement lasts 50+ years with minimal maintenance — repaint every 15-20 years versus 5-7 years for wood. It handles all climate zones from humid Gulf Coast to freeze-thaw Northern states. The downsides are weight (fiber cement weighs 2.5 pounds per square foot versus 0.5 for vinyl, requiring stronger framing and more labor) and installation cost. Professional installation is strongly recommended — cutting fiber cement releases silica dust that requires proper respiratory protection and wet-cutting equipment.
Wood Siding
Nothing matches the natural beauty of real wood siding — cedar, redwood, and cypress are the traditional choices. Cedar clapboard ($6-$12 per square foot installed) offers natural rot resistance, a warm aesthetic, and the ability to be stained or painted any color. Wood shake and shingle siding ($8-$15 per square foot) adds texture and character to craftsman and cottage-style homes.
The trade-off is maintenance. Wood siding needs repainting or restaining every 3-7 years, periodic caulking, and prompt repair of any damage to prevent moisture intrusion. Untreated wood attracts termites and carpenter ants. In humid climates, wood siding can develop mold and rot within 5-10 years without diligent upkeep. Budget $10,000-$25,000 for a full wood siding job on a typical home, plus $1,000-$3,000 every 5 years for maintenance.
Metal Siding
Aluminum and steel siding offer exceptional durability in harsh climates. Steel siding ($5-$12 per square foot installed) resists impact, fire, and insects, and lasts 50+ years. Aluminum ($4-$8 per square foot) is lighter and immune to rust but dents more easily. Both come in baked-enamel finishes that hold color well.
Metal siding works particularly well in wildfire-prone areas and coastal zones where salt air corrodes other materials. Modern metal siding profiles mimic wood grain convincingly at a distance. The downsides include noise (rain sounds louder on metal without proper insulation), potential for denting from hail or impact, and a higher upfront cost than vinyl.
Engineered Wood Siding
LP SmartSide is the leading engineered wood siding product. Made from wood strands bonded with resins and treated with zinc borate for rot and termite resistance, it costs $4-$9 per square foot installed — bridging the gap between vinyl and fiber cement. It looks and works like real wood, accepts paint readily, and comes with a 50-year substrate warranty.
Engineered wood is lighter than fiber cement and easier to install, making it a popular choice for DIY-friendly homeowners and contractors who want to keep labor costs down. Paint every 7-10 years to maintain the warranty and appearance. Keep the bottom edge at least 6 inches above grade to prevent moisture wicking — the material handles weather well but is not as moisture-proof as fiber cement or vinyl at ground contact.
Brick and Stone Veneer
Full brick siding ($10-$25 per square foot installed) and natural stone ($20-$40 per square foot) are the most durable siding options available — they last 100+ years with virtually no maintenance. However, full masonry installation is expensive, time-consuming, and requires skilled masons.
Manufactured stone veneer ($8-$18 per square foot installed) provides the look of natural stone at half the cost and weight. Products from Eldorado Stone, Cultured Stone, and Boral look remarkably realistic and install over standard wall sheathing with metal lath and mortar. Many homeowners use stone veneer as an accent on the lower third of the facade or around the front entry, combining it with another siding material above.
Choosing the Right Siding for Your Climate
- Hot and humid (Southeast): Fiber cement or vinyl. Both resist moisture and do not attract termites
- Cold and freeze-thaw (Northeast/Midwest): Insulated vinyl or fiber cement. Avoid stucco — freeze-thaw cycles crack it
- Wildfire zones (West): Fiber cement, metal, or masonry. All are fire-resistant or non-combustible
- Coastal/salt air: Aluminum, vinyl, or fiber cement. Avoid steel (corrodes) and untreated wood (accelerated rot)
- High wind/hurricane zones: Fiber cement or metal with enhanced fastening. Vinyl can blow off in 100+ mph winds if not properly secured
Your local building code may restrict certain siding options or require specific wind ratings. Check with your building department before committing to a material, especially in HOA communities where architectural review boards may limit your choices.
