Siding cost per square foot in 2026: vinyl, fiber cement and wood, and how siding quotes work
What vinyl, engineered wood and fiber cement siding cost per square foot in 2026, why wall area is harder to measure than roof area, and what a siding quote must itemise.
Siding is priced by wall area, and wall area is harder to pin down than a roof: every window and door is a hole in it, and every corner and opening needs trim. That is where siding quotes quietly diverge.
Siding cost per square foot in 2026
| Material | Per sq ft installed | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $6-$12 | Wash occasionally |
| Engineered wood | $9-$16 | Repaint every 10-15 yrs |
| Fiber cement | $10-$20 | Repaint every 12-15 yrs |
| Natural wood | $12-$25 | Stain or paint every 3-7 yrs |
What siding costs on a 1,200, 1,800 or 2,400 sq ft house
Our quote engine's starter rates, priced from each house's outside walls (the distance around the house times the storey height) on plain rectangular plans:
| Type | 1,200 sq ft, one storey | 1,800 sq ft, one storey | 2,400 sq ft, two storeys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $11,185 | $13,639 | $21,920 |
| Engineered wood | $13,869 | $16,936 | $27,287 |
| Fiber cement | $17,237 | $21,074 | $34,023 |
A house with bays, wings and tall gables has more wall than its floor area suggests, so price yours from its own outline: the siding calculator measures the walls from satellite.
How siding is measured
Wall area is the perimeter of the house multiplied by wall height, plus gable triangles, minus windows and doors. The perimeter can be read from satellite imagery, and storey count from a street photo, which gives a solid first range. Openings are an estimate until someone measures them.
Where siding quotes differ
- Trim, soffit and fascia. Often a third of the job. Leave them out and a quote looks cheap.
- Tear-off. Removing old siding and dealing with what is underneath.
- House wrap and sheathing repair. Rot found on opening up is common on older homes.
- How openings are handled. Some deduct them, some do not, and some charge extra to trim them.
What a siding quote must include
- Wall area in square feet, and the product line — not just “vinyl”
- Trim, soffit and fascia scope
- Tear-off, disposal and house wrap
- An allowance or rate for sheathing repair
- Warranty on material and labour
Common questions
How much does siding cost per square foot?
$6-$12 vinyl, $9-$16 engineered wood, $10-$20 fiber cement, installed.
How is siding measured?
Perimeter times wall height, minus openings; the perimeter reads from satellite imagery.
Why do siding quotes differ so much?
Trim, soffit, fascia and openings — ask for them itemised.
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