Did you realize that more goes into the cost of a siding installation than the upfront material expense? It’s important to look at siding from all angles when assessing what’s right for your home in the long run.
Three considerations will affect overall siding cost: the initial installation, the lifespan, and the replacement. During these periods, here are some factors that come into play and cause variations in cost:
- Siding material
- Location of installation
- Size of home
- Time and labor
- Repairs
- Maintenance (painting, staining, cleaning, caulking, etc.)
- Replacements
The more repairs, replacement, and maintenance, the more money you’ll invest in the product. With that in mind, let’s assess some siding costs.
Generalized Costs
Even though all siding costs vary, we’ve organized siding materials in accordance with typical replacement expenses.
Vinyl
Material and Installation: Vinyl is a low-cost material that is simple to install, making it accessible to homeowners with nearly any budget.
Repair and Maintenance: Vinyl needs to be cleaned routinely, keeping its maintenance low. However, the plastic makeup of vinyl causes it to crack, warp, and see other compromising issues which can lead to many repairs over its lifespan.
Replacements: If properly maintained, vinyl can last a while. However, it is more susceptible to temperature swings and hail damage. While this is out of your control, it can create a need for more replacements, which costs over time.
The Final Verdict: A low-cost siding with few maintenance expenses. However, it may see a higher number of replacements and repairs, and overall looks less attractive.
Wood/Cedar
Material and Installation: Wood siding, even cedar, is met with a higher upfront and maintenance cost than other options. It does not reach the level of cost of siding that requires masonry work, such as brick or stone, but it still has a hefty price tag.
Repair and Maintenance: While it is a beautiful and traditional style, wood requires painting, sealing, caulking, and special care throughout the entirety of its life. It’s also costly to install.
Replacements: If properly protected, wood lasts for decades. However, its susceptibility simply makes it less durable than options like fiber cement.
The Final Verdict: A beautiful yet high-cost siding with ample maintenance needs that can see damage from pests, fire, and weather.
Stone
Material and Installation: Natural stone is one of the highest costing siding replacements available. Quarried stone is more complex to harvest and ship to sites. To be properly installed, it often requires a trained mason.
Repair and Maintenance: Stone will need to be properly sealed and cleaned to maintain its luster and last. As the sealant wears down, it will need new coats. Cleaning can be more time-consuming and difficult, leading to higher care costs.
Replacements: Stone tends to be a very durable product. However, if it does need to be replaced in part or altogether, it can be difficult and costly to find the same coloring of stone as your existing home.
The Final Verdict: Stone is an incredibly high-cost siding replacement in all facets. However, it can be a great accent siding in tandem with something more durable, such as fiber cement siding.
Stucco
Material and Installation: Stucco’s initial cost tends to be higher than other siding options. Stucco can see a great deal of water damage if not properly installed or cared for.
Repair and Maintenance: Stucco can crack, chip, become water damaged, or experience holes from impacts or pests. These can be costly problems. To avoid this, stucco needs to be routinely cleaned, sealed, and can even require protective coatings. All in all, it is high maintenance and repair prone.
Replacements: Stucco, especially in an area like Pennsylvania, which sees a great deal of moisture, can trap water, creating severe damage. If moisture damage becomes present, replacing stucco can be incredibly expensive. You’ll need to remediate the problem, which requires removing old stucco, damaged insulation, and even repairing structural framing of the home. We recommend replacing your stucco completely with a better siding option.
The Final Verdict: A high-cost siding with ample maintenance needs, which can see damage from pests, fire, and weather.
James Hardie Fiber Cement
Material and Installation: Fiber cement siding is relatively similar in price to vinyl, yet it may cost a bit more for the initial installation as it takes more effort to install.
The planks are heavier due to their makeup and durability, so they require more labor and a skilled set of hands to install. On the plus side, hiring a James Hardie Preferred contractor will guarantee your siding is installed properly, leading to fewer repairs and replacements over the product’s lifespan, unlike stucco.
Repair and Maintenance: Hardie siding is incredibly low-maintenance. It can need caulking and routine cleaning but does not require staining, painting, or constant repairs. Its durability, resistance to pests and the climate, specified engineering for your climate, and inflammability make it difficult to compete with in regard to maintenance. It’s a great siding for the long-haul.
Replacements: Hardie siding is designed to last for decades and is backed by a 30-year limited warranty that covers labor and materials. This siding truly can withstand and endure most anything mother nature throws at it.
The Final Verdict: An affordable siding option that offers beauty, durability, longevity, and resistance to the elements. It’s hard to beat the cost-effectiveness of Hardie siding over its lifespan, making it the best option to replace troublesome siding such as stucco.
Which Siding Option is the Best Value?
Ultimately, choosing the right siding will come down to what your home’s needs and what your desired exterior looks like. James Hardie siding is affordable, yet offers impeccable benefits that make it last for decades while protecting your home. It’s wise to have your fiber cement installed on your Pennsylvania home by a James Hardie Preferred contractor such as Distinctive Homes.
For more detailed information about how James Hardie siding protects your home and doesn’t break the bank, see our James Hardie services.