Vinyl Siding: The Cost Composition

Over the years, vinyl siding has become one of the most popular forms of siding on the market. One of these reasons is cost.  In addition to being attractive, durable, and low-maintenance, vinyl siding is one of the cheapest, and yet, you can still get value for your money. 

How much is vinyl siding?
The answer to this question is dependent on a wide variety of factors, such as style, thickness, durability, insulative properties, UV protection, and the cost of the installation. On average, quality vinyl siding cost will run from $2 to $10 per linear foot (this includes installation costs).  You can also get cheap vinyl siding for as low as $1 per linear foot if you install it yourself.  But do keep in mind that you do get what you pay for.

Figuring out the total vinyl siding costs
So what will this mean for your home?  To figure that out, you'll need to multiply the linear feet numbers by the exterior square footage of your home. In order to get a rough estimate of your exterior square footage, you’ll need to do the following:

1) Add the length of your home to the width

2) Multiply that number by two

3) Multiply that number by 10

So foot long home that is 20 feet tall and 40 feet wide that comes to 1,200 exterior square In this case, vinyl siding prices will run from $2,400 to $12,000, which doesn’t include extras, such as trim, as well as any unexpected costs that might pop up. 

What to Look for in Vinyl Siding
There are two qualities you really need to look for in vinyl siding. The first is thickness. Vinyl siding usually comes in thicknesses of .035 to .055 inches thick.  In general, the thicker, the better.  The thicker your siding is, the more likely it will be to hold up against severe weather conditions. 

You also want to consider installation.  The other thing to consider here is installation. In extreme weather conditions, poorly installed siding can come right off, so it’s crucial that be installed correctly if it’s going to do what you want it to do.  If you’re able to do it yourself, you can cut some of your costs by doing it on your own.  If you have any doubts, however, it’s best to hire a contractor. 

Vinyl Siding "Extras"
Those basic costs highlighted above don’t include some “extras” that will add to yoru siding, such as trim, insulation, and colors.  You’ll pay a little extra for those.  Trim costs more, since it has to be cut specifically for your home.  When it comes to colors, make sure you buy siding that is reinforced with titanium dioxide or has been extruded fromsun protection, which will provide the UV protection that will keep your siding from fading over time.