Wooden shingles can add natural beauty to a home.
Brick, stone, wood and stucco are among the common materials used to beautify a home's exterior. However, some materials require expensive and time-consuming maintenance every few years with repainting, repairing, caulking or patching. Siding can eliminate much of this expense and inconvenience, while adding insulation and value.
Wood
The oldest of all sidings, wood adds natural beauty to a home and can be painted or stained in different colors. But wood must be painted, stained or sealed every few years to prevent rot. Authentic wood siding costs from $5 to $8 per square foot for both labor and materials. Cedar shingles for a 1,500-square-foot home can run from $7,500 to $12,000. For pine, spruce or fir clapboard, prices are cheaper at $5 to $7 per square foot, brining the average house cost to a range of $7,500 to $10,500. Engineered wood, made from ground composite material, is cheaper still at $2 to $5 a square foot, or $3,000 to $7,500 for the average home.
Aluminum
Aluminum can duplicate textures from wood and shingles, and comes in many styles and colors. It requires only washing when it's dirty, and can last about 35 years. However, its pre-finished paint can fade and chip, and may need repainting. Another disadvantage is denting. Removing aluminum siding costs about $2 to $3 a square foot, or about $6,000 for a 2,000 square-foot-home. But homeowners can tackle this job to save money. Aluminum installation is usually priced per square, which measures 10-by-10 feet, or 100 square feet. Costs run about $450 per square, or $9,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is arguably the most maintenance-free of all siding materials. It comes in multiple colors and never needs repainting. The only maintenance required is some washing with a garden or pressure house. Vinyl siding costs about $250 to $300 per square, including installation, or around $5,000 to $6,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. Premium siding, which is thicker, costs about $400 to $600 per square, or about $5,000 to $6,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. Estimates generally include the cost of installing soffits, fascia and window channels.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding bonds cement, sand and cellulose fiber in layers under high-temperatures, producing a very strong material. The outermost layer can be imprinted with textures such as shingles, stone or clapboard, and designed with many colors. The siding costs about $500 per square installed, with a 2,500-square-foot home costing about $12,500. The material does not fade or dent, but requires routine maintenance. The ends of boards and areas around windows and doors are susceptible to water damage, and require some caulking every year. Repainting every seven to 15 years is also necessary, which can cost $5,000 to $10,000.
Related posts
There are many different kinds of home siding. Each one has a different price for materials and installation. Before starting any home siding project, it is important to be aware of all costs that...
There are a variety of siding options for your house.If you are building or remodeling a home, the question of what materials to use for siding will be a big decision. Siding options come in a var...
Hardie board siding can replace standard wood siding.Hardie board is a name brand of fiber cement siding. This type of siding comes from the mixing of cement, sand and cellulose fibers that are th...
New siding improves your home's curb appeal and protects it from the elements. This home renovation project involves a hefty investment that varies depending on a variety of factors. The costs can...
Insurance companies offer greater discounts for insuring a brick home.When choosing to purchase a home or remodel, understanding what role the exterior plays is important in the decision making pr...
