How much does siding cost per square foot?

Vinyl siding costs $2–$5 per sq ft installed, fiber cement (HardiPlank) $6–$13, engineered wood (LP SmartSide) $5–$10, and natural wood siding $6–$15. For a 1,500 sq ft house exterior, vinyl runs $3,000–$7,500 installed, fiber cement $9,000–$19,500, and wood $9,000–$22,500. Material alone is typically 30–40% of the installed price.

How many squares of siding do I need?

One 'square' of siding covers 100 square feet. Measure total wall area (height × perimeter), subtract window and door openings, then divide by 100. Add 10% for waste on standard walls and 15% for gabled walls with lots of cuts. A typical 1,500 sq ft home has 1,200–1,800 sq ft of wall area (12–18 squares) after subtracting openings.

What is the best siding material?

Fiber cement (James Hardie) is widely considered the best overall siding for durability, fire resistance, and resale value — it lasts 40–50 years with minimal maintenance. Vinyl is the best budget option at half the cost with 20–30 year life. Engineered wood (LP SmartSide) offers a real wood look with better moisture resistance than natural wood. Natural cedar or redwood looks beautiful but requires staining every 3–5 years and costs the most.

How long does it take to install siding on a house?

A professional crew of 3–4 installers can side a typical 1,500 sq ft home in 3–5 days for vinyl, 5–7 days for fiber cement, and 7–10 days for wood siding. Fiber cement takes longer because it requires pre-drilling and is heavier. Adding removal of old siding adds 1–2 days. DIY projects typically take 2–3 times longer.

Siding Calculator — Squares, Trim & Cost

How to Calculate Siding for Your House

Siding is sold in "squares" — each square covers 100 square feet. Getting the right count means measuring total wall area, subtracting openings, and adding waste. Here's how to do it accurately without overpaying.

Siding Cost Comparison (2026)

Siding Type	Material/sq ft	Installed/sq ft	1,500 sq ft Home	Lifespan
Vinyl siding	$1.50–$3.50	$3–$7	$3,600–$8,400	20–30 years
Fiber cement (HardiPlank)	$3–$6	$6–$13	$7,200–$15,600	40–50 years
Engineered wood (LP SmartSide)	$2.50–$5	$5–$10	$6,000–$12,000	25–35 years
Natural wood (cedar)	$3–$8	$6–$15	$7,200–$18,000	20–40 years*
Board & batten (vinyl)	$2–$4	$4–$8	$4,800–$9,600	20–30 years
Board & batten (wood)	$4–$10	$8–$18	$9,600–$21,600	25–40 years*

*Wood lifespan depends heavily on maintenance (staining every 3–5 years).

What's Included in a Siding Job

Siding panels/planks: The main material, measured in squares (100 sq ft each).
J-channel: Trim used around windows, doors, and where siding meets soffits. Standard 12.5-ft lengths.
Corner posts: Outside and inside corner pieces, typically 10-ft lengths matched to siding height.
Starter strip: Installed at the bottom of the wall to hold the first row. 10-ft lengths along the full perimeter.
Utility trim (undersill): Installed under windows and at the top of walls. Similar to J-channel.
Nails: Galvanized or stainless steel ring-shank nails, 1.5–2 inches. About 2 lbs per square for vinyl.
House wrap: Tyvek or equivalent, installed under siding for moisture protection. Sold in 9-ft × 150-ft rolls.

Siding Measurement Tips

Measure each wall separately if heights vary (common with split-level homes and gable ends).
For gable ends, measure the rectangular portion plus the triangular peak (base × height ÷ 2).
Standard deduction per opening: 3×4 ft window = 12 sq ft, entry door = 21 sq ft, garage door = 56 sq ft, sliding glass = 42 sq ft.
Add 10% waste for standard walls and 15% for walls with many openings or complex geometry.
J-channel needs: Measure the perimeter of every window and door, plus the top of every wall where siding meets soffit.

Vinyl vs. Fiber Cement vs. Wood: Which to Choose

Factor	Vinyl	Fiber Cement	Wood
Cost (installed)	$3–$7/sf	$6–$13/sf	$6–$15/sf
Maintenance	Almost none	Repaint every 10–15 yrs	Stain every 3–5 yrs
Fire resistance	Melts, not fire rated	Non-combustible	Combustible
Insect resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Poor (needs treatment)
Appearance	Good (can look plastic)	Excellent (paintable)	Best (natural grain)
Resale value boost	Moderate	High	High
DIY friendly	Yes (lightweight)	Moderate (heavy, dusty)	Moderate

Money-Saving Tips

Vinyl siding is the best ROI for budget projects. At $3–$7/sq ft installed, it recoups 70–80% of cost at resale.
Install over existing siding if the old siding is flat and in decent condition. Saves $1–$3/sq ft in removal costs.
DIY vinyl siding is realistic for a handy homeowner. Vinyl is lightweight, cuts with tin snips, and has a forgiving fastener system.
Buy during winter. Siding contractors are slowest Nov–Feb. You can save 10–20% on installation.
Fiber cement pays for itself over 40+ years with virtually zero maintenance. If you plan to stay 10+ years, the extra upfront cost is worth it.