18 Siding Statistics: Costs, Lifespan, ROI, and Material Trends (2026)

Your home's siding is its first line of defense against rain, wind, and temperature swings, and replacing it ranks among the exterior projects with the strongest return at resale. The statistics below draw on verified 2025-2026 data covering what siding costs by material, how long each option lasts, which materials dominate new construction, and what a replacement returns when you sell. If you are ready to act, our siding installation services connect you with vetted pros, and you can explore all of our home services too.

Siding replacement costs

1. The national average siding replacement costs about $11,582

HomeAdvisor puts the national average for a full siding replacement at $11,582, with most projects landing between $5,561 and $17,718 depending on home size, material choice, and local labor rates (HomeAdvisor). You can get a free fixed-price estimate through our siding installation services.

2. Vinyl siding runs $3 to $12 per square foot installed

Vinyl siding is the most affordable cladding choice, coming in at $3 to $12 per square foot for materials and labor combined, with a national average of about $12,000 for a typical home, according to Fixr. Entry-level builder-grade vinyl starts around $2 per square foot in materials, while premium insulated panels reach $12 or more.

3. Fiber cement siding averages $14,674 for a typical home

Fiber cement siding costs $5 to $14 per square foot installed and averages a national project cost of $14,674, per This Old House. HomeAdvisor puts the typical range at $6,590 to $23,199 for a full replacement, with costs varying by panel type and home complexity (HomeAdvisor).

4. Engineered wood siding costs $2 to $10 per square foot installed

Engineered wood products such as LP SmartSide run $2 to $10 per square foot installed, per HomeAdvisor, with professional installation for a 2,000-square-foot home typically totaling $9,000 to $18,000. The material offers a natural wood appearance at roughly half the cost of clear-grain cedar.

5. Labor accounts for 30% to 50% of total siding project cost

Labor is a major cost driver: pros typically charge $40 to $75 per hour for siding work, and labor represents 30% to 50% of the overall project bill, according to HomeAdvisor. Siding removal alone adds $0.70 to $2.00 per square foot on top of the new installation cost.

Siding lifespan by material

6. Vinyl siding lasts 20 to 40 years

Standard vinyl siding has a rated lifespan of 20 to 40 years, with the lower end applying to harsh climates and the higher end achievable under mild conditions with routine cleaning, according to Fixr. In extreme climates, some installations show wear at the 20-year mark.

7. Fiber cement siding lasts 30 to 50 years or more

Fiber cement is rated for 30 to 50 years, and premium brands such as James Hardie are warrantied for 50 years or more, per HomeAdvisor. The material resists moisture, fire, rot, and insect damage, all of which shorten the life of softer products.

8. Engineered wood siding is rated for 30 to 50 years

Products like LP SmartSide carry a 50-year limited warranty on the substrate and typically last 30 to 50 years in real-world conditions, according to VIS Exterior. Periodic repainting and caulking extend the lifespan toward the higher end of that range.

9. Steel siding can last 50 to 70 years or more

Steel siding is among the most durable options available, with a lifespan of 50 to 70 years or longer when properly maintained and repainted as needed (VIS Exterior). Its higher upfront cost can pay off over the long life of the home, similar to how metal roofing performs relative to asphalt. Pairing durable siding with updated windows maximizes both energy performance and longevity.

Siding materials on new US homes

10. Vinyl led new-home siding in 2024 at 26%, edging out stucco

In 2024, vinyl siding (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common principal exterior wall material on new US single-family homes at 26%, followed by stucco at 25%, fiber cement at 23%, and brick or brick veneer at 16%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Construction as reported by NAHB Eye on Housing. This was the first time vinyl had led since 2018.

11. Fiber cement's share of new-home exteriors has grown more than 15 points in 20 years

Fiber cement has posted the strongest long-term trend in the siding market, gaining more than 15 percentage points of new-home market share since 2000, while vinyl has shed 12.8 points over the same period, per NAHB Eye on Housing. The shift reflects growing demand for lower-maintenance, fire-resistant cladding.

12. Regional preferences vary dramatically across the US

Geography drives material choice: vinyl dominated new homes in New England (73%), the East North Central (69%), and Middle Atlantic (68%) regions in 2024, while stucco led in the Pacific (64%) and Mountain (48%) regions, and brick or brick veneer dominated the South Central states at 39% to 48%, per the U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Construction as analyzed by NAHB. Local climate and builder tradition drive these patterns. Browse our service areas to find pros near you.

Resale ROI of siding replacement

13. Fiber cement siding replacement returns 113.7% of its cost at resale

Fiber cement siding replacement averages a job cost of $21,485 and returns $24,420 in added resale value, for an ROI of 113.7%, ranking it the fourth-highest return of any remodeling project nationally, according to the 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report. That means the average homeowner actually comes out ahead at the sale.

14. Vinyl siding replacement returns 96.5% of its cost at resale

A vinyl siding replacement averages $17,950 in job cost and returns $17,313 in resale value, a 96.5% ROI that ranks it sixth nationally, per the 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report. Homeowners recover nearly every dollar spent, while also getting years of improved curb appeal and weather protection before any sale. Our financing options can help spread the upfront cost.

15. Eight of the top ten highest-ROI remodeling projects are exterior replacements

The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report found that 8 of the top 10 highest-return projects are exterior work, underscoring the outsized resale power of curb appeal over interior renovations (Zonda). Both siding options, fiber cement and vinyl, rank in that elite group alongside garage door replacement and entry door replacement.

Energy and curb-appeal benefits

16. Insulated vinyl siding can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 16%

Third-party energy modeling has shown that insulated vinyl siding, which adds a foam backing with an R-value of 2.0 to 3.5, can reduce a home's heating and cooling costs by up to 16% depending on climate zone and home style, according to Progressive Foam. The foam layer stops thermal bridging through wall studs, which account for roughly 25% of a home's exterior wall surface.

17. Standard vinyl siding has an R-value of about 0.6; insulated versions reach R-2 to R-4

Plain vinyl siding offers minimal thermal resistance, around R-0.6, while insulated vinyl panels achieve R-2 to R-4, meaningfully reducing heat transfer, per Progressive Foam. For homeowners in cold-winter or hot-summer climates, the upgrade to insulated siding can pay back a portion of its cost through lower utility bills each year. Pairing new siding with exterior painting seals any remaining gaps and refreshes the look in one project.

Why pro installation matters

18. Improper installation can void manufacturer warranties and double material costs

Many siding manufacturers require licensed contractor installation to keep warranties valid, meaning a DIY misstep can leave you without coverage on a 30- to 50-year product. Incorrectly installed siding may need full removal and reinstallation, potentially doubling material costs, according to industry guidance cited by Lone Wolf Exteriors. Pros also understand local building codes, required moisture barriers, and expansion-contraction tolerances that are easy to overlook. Learn more about our screening process on our why us page or request an estimate from a vetted, licensed and insured pro today.

What this means for homeowners

• Siding replacement is one of the best-returning remodeling projects available, with fiber cement recouping 113.7% and vinyl recouping 96.5% at resale, per the 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report.
• Material choice drives both cost and lifespan significantly: vinyl averages $3 to $12 per square foot installed and lasts 20 to 40 years, while fiber cement runs $5 to $14 per square foot and lasts 30 to 50-plus years.
• Vinyl remains the most common cladding on new US homes at 26%, but fiber cement has grown its share by more than 15 percentage points over 20 years, reflecting a shift toward longer-lasting, lower-maintenance materials.
• Insulated vinyl siding can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 16%, making a siding project an energy upgrade as well as a cosmetic one.
• Improper installation voids warranties and can require full re-do, making licensed pro installation as important as the material itself.
• Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and provides free fixed-price estimates. See where we work on our service areas page and request an estimate when you are ready.

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