Exterior Siding Cost Guide 2024: How Much to Budget?

Are you looking to have new cladding or siding material installed on the side of your house? There’s a wide variety of products with differing lifespans, with price points varying from one end of the scale to the other. To help you narrow it down to a product that best suits your needs, here’s a helpful exterior siding cost guide.

One of the first things people notice when spotting a house is its exterior siding, meaning its curb appeal. To draw a parallel with the human body, the siding or cladding would be the equivalent of the skin wrapped around the building’s skeleton and muscles. 

Besides its aesthetic function, siding protects against extreme weather conditions. When choosing your exterior siding, consider multiple factors, such as your aesthetic preferences, local weather patterns, municipal rules, and most importantly, your budget.

Home Siding Prices Per Square Foot: How Much Does It Cost to Side a House in Canada?

*All pricing detailed in this article is for reference purposes only and is subject to change.

Affordable Options

Vinyl Exterior Siding (Plastic)

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Vinyl siding isn't only super easy to install but it’s also shock- and scratch-resistant. It’s available in various colours and textures. If this product is well-maintained, it can last 40 years. However, vinyl isn’t all too heat-resistant, and in the long run, its colour tends to fade as a result of UV exposure. Its main advantage is its price point: $4–$7 per square foot (including installation).

Fibre Cement Panels

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Fibre cement panels make for modern houses and buildings. This type of product holds its own against parasites and extreme weather conditions. However, l’Ordre des architectes du Québec (professional association of architects in Quebec) has taken issue with this material given that some problems have been witnessed soon after installation: cracks, fading, chipping surface, etc. 

Fibre cement panel manufacturing companies claim that such problems have since been fixed and that the products now retailed are of much better quality. Typically, this product should last roughly 40 years. However, before choosing this material, check with your hired contractor. Fibre cement panels cost between $5–$15 per square foot (including installation).

Engineered Wood Fibre Panels (CanExel)

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Engineered wood panels, also known as CanExel, are an increasingly sought-after siding material option. CanExel is much more affordable than wood and is a reliable, quality faux wood. As for colours and textures, needless to say, options aren’t lacking. 

Compared to real lumber, engineered wood products tend to withstand humidity and UV rays better. This material, with its 25-year service life, offers the best value for money and is suited to most budgets. However, if CanExel cladding isn’t properly installed, it’ll require a lot more maintenance and repairs, and its lifespan will inevitably be affected. Its price point ranges from $6 to $15 per square foot (including installation).

Aluminum Siding

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Aluminum siding offers excellent weather resistance, mostly in terms of wind and temperature variations. Unlike vinyl, aluminum doesn’t warp. However, it reacts poorly during fires, as it’s not really flame-retardant. In optimal conditions, this type of siding material can last more than 40 years. Prices range from $7 to $10 per square foot (including installation).

To learn more about aluminum siding, check out our article The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Siding. 

Suretouch

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Suretouch exterior siding can be categorized alongside brick and stone cladding but at a much lower cost. A polystyrene (styrofoam) mould is mounted against the house, and then argyle bricks or concrete stones are affixed to it. This is a pressure-based installation. As for the mould, it’s secured to the house with stainless steel screws and plates. This product, which has been marketed for about a decade now, is actually gaining popularity. It’s easy to install and is known for its insulation properties (R13.5). 

Moreover, it has good ventilation and weatherproofing properties (provided that the joints are well done). Since it’s a relatively new product, information about its durability is hard to come about. However, so far, the feedback is very positive. The average cost of Suretouch cladding is $8 to $15 per square foot.

Standard-Priced Products

Wood Cladding

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One of the options that will definitely add the most value to your house. Wood cladding is, for the most part, affordable but is rather high maintenance. The wood must be treated with flaxseed oil every five years to preserve its appealing look.

If you apply a coat of stain to alter the wood’s colour, you’ll have to carry out some touch-ups every year or two to maintain the product’s overall appeal. Wood cladding costs between $10 and $15 per square foot (including installation) and lasts anywhere from 25 to 55 years. 

Acrylic Coating and Rendering

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According to Dave Barriault, ADEX Systems, when it comes to exterior acrylic coatings and renderings, one should definitely opt for second-generation EIFS, or Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems. In fact, with first-generation installations, a lot of homeowners experienced issues regarding the materials’ waterproofing capabilities. (Watch the November 13, 2018 episode of La Facture.) However, according to Barriault, unlike the first-generation product, the most recent version of EIFS, first marketed towards the end of the 90s, features various components to ensure the building's exterior envelope is watertight and well-insulated.

This type of siding material also ensures adequate drainage if water seeps behind the cladding. However, its installation process isn’t very easy as it includes several important factors and steps to consider. Hire a siding contractor who’s both qualified and experienced in working with this type of product. Second-generation EIFS cladding costs between $10 and $15 per square foot (materials and installation included). 

Brick Cladding: High-End Option

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This is a timeless, classic choice. However, brick is rather costly right off the bat, but its service life extends beyond 75 years. Typically, it doesn’t require much upkeep. However, you’ll have to be on the lookout for cracks that could negatively affect the siding's resistance when faced with parasites and extreme weather. On average, prices range from $25 to $45 per square foot (including installation).

If your house is clad with brick and you suspect an issue, make sure the brick isn't “beef-bellying” (swelling).

For more insight on how to spot such an issue, check out our article Bulging Brick Walls and Bowed Walls: How to Identify and Solve the Issue. 

What Factors Affect the Overall Cost?

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Size of House

The size of the house will directly affect the overall cost. The bigger the surface (multiple stories), the higher the material and labour costs will be. For an average-sized home, costs can range from $20,000 to $90,000, depending on the material used and the project specificities. Naturally, larger homes will cost more to side.

Installation Complexity

Installation complexity can also affect costs. For example, a house with complex architectural features or shapes, such as gables or curves, will mandate more time and accuracy to install siding, thereby increasing costs. Some materials like brick or stone also call for trade-specific expertise, which can further complicate the installation process.

Labour Cost

The cost of labour hinges on the region and the contractor's experience. In general, requesting several quotes is recommended to compare costs and hire the right siding contractor who will be able to carry out the work at the right price, guaranteeing installation quality.

Choosing Strong and Durable Exterior Siding

Sometimes, investing a bit more money upfront is best, ensuring you’re getting a sustainable product. In the long run, if the material requires little maintenance and is of decent quality, the investment will have been cost-effective.

What Are the Additional Costs?

The total project cost hinges on whether the entire siding needs replacement or simply specific sections. In other words, whether it's in good condition or not, meaning that it's insect-proof and didn't suffer from improper installation. Should the entire siding need to be replaced, you’ll have to cover old siding removal fees and reinstallation costs. For older homes, problems like rotting wood or termite-related damage may require repairs prior to installing the new siding material, which will undeniably increase overall expenses.

For more insight about the average cost of different renovation projects, check out our 2024 Home Renovation Price Guide.

FAQ

What is the best exterior siding?

Unfortunately, there isn’t one type of exterior siding material that’s universally better for every type of home. It all depends on your budget, needs, and aesthetic preferences. However, vinyl siding is a very sought-after, cost-effective product.

How much does vinyl siding cost?

As detailed in this article, vinyl siding is the cheapest one retailed, costing $4 to $7 per sq. ft.

What type of wood is best for exterior siding?

Cedar is a highly recommended exterior siding material given its natural resistance to rot and insect-related damage, including its lightweight factor, facilitating installation practices. Its versatility makes staining or painting the product to suit your home’s aesthetic a possibility. However, there are many other siding materials and the best choice hinges on your personal needs and preferences.