Steel siding typically costs $9-$18 per sq. ft. installed, while LP SmartSide usually runs $6-$13 per sq. ft. installed. For a 2,000-sq.-ft. siding area, that often means roughly $18,000-$36,000 for steel or $12,000-$26,000 for LP, with removal, trim, access, and local labor rates driving the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel siding, installed | $9/sq. ft. | $13/sq. ft. | $18/sq. ft. | Standard panels and typical access |
| LP SmartSide, installed | $6/sq. ft. | $9/sq. ft. | $13/sq. ft. | Lap siding, primed or standard prefinished |
| Steel on 2,000 sq. ft. | $18,000 | $26,000 | $36,000 | Before major repairs or premium trim |
| LP SmartSide on 2,000 sq. ft. | $12,000 | $18,000 | $26,000 | Before major repairs or premium trim |
Installed steel and LP SmartSide prices by siding area
For a straightforward replacement, steel siding commonly costs $9-$18 per sq. ft. installed. A typical midrange quote is about $13 per sq. ft., including standard panels, fasteners, and installation. Higher-end steel profiles, thicker gauges, custom colors, and extensive trim can push the rate above the typical range.
LP SmartSide generally costs $6-$13 per sq. ft. installed, with about $9 per sq. ft. common for standard lap siding. The product is engineered wood siding, and quotes vary with board profile, finish, trim package, and whether the material arrives primed or prefinished. These figures assume sound wall sheathing and ordinary access.
On a comparable house, LP SmartSide often has the lower initial price, but the gap depends on product grade and installation scope. Siding area means the exterior wall area being covered, not the home’s floor area. A house with 2,000 sq. ft. of living space may have 1,600-2,400 sq. ft. of siding, depending on its shape, stories, and openings.
Assumptions: U.S. contractor installation, standard materials, typical suburban access, and no major structural repairs. Regional labor and product availability can change these estimates.
What steel panel and LP board quotes include
Material prices alone do not show the full difference. A quote may include tear-off, house wrap, flashing, corner boards, window trim, disposal, and repairs as separate line items. Steel may require compatible trim and careful handling; LP SmartSide requires correct clearances, flashing, and coating or touch-up practices specified by the manufacturer.
| Quote component | Steel siding range | LP SmartSide range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siding material | $4-$9/sq. ft. | $2.50-$6/sq. ft. | Gauge, profile, finish, and grade |
| Installation labor | $3-$7/sq. ft. | $2.50-$5.50/sq. ft. | Wall layout, crew experience, and detailing |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$3/sq. ft. | $1-$3/sq. ft. | Existing layers and dump fees |
| Wrap, flashing, and trim | $1-$4/sq. ft. | $1-$4/sq. ft. | Openings, corners, and trim selection |
| Sheathing repairs | $75-$150 per sheet | $75-$150 per sheet | Rot, water damage, and replacement area |
Line items can overlap in contractor estimates, so the table ranges are not meant to be added mechanically to the installed rates above. Some companies include house wrap and standard trim in a per-square-foot price; others price them separately. Ask whether the quote covers removal, disposal, flashing, starter strips, corners, and cleanup.
Comparing the same scope is essential: a lower per-square-foot bid may exclude removal or trim that another contractor includes.
Gauge, board profile, and wall details that shift the estimate
Steel gauge and finish are important price drivers. Standard residential panels may use 26- or 29-gauge steel; heavier gauges and premium coatings often cost more. A basic exposed-fastener panel can be less expensive than a concealed-fastener system, while custom colors or specialty profiles can add roughly 10%-30% to the material portion of a quote.
For LP SmartSide, lap boards, panel siding, and shake-style products have different material and labor needs. Wider or thicker boards, factory-finished colors, and coordinated trim usually raise the material budget. A prefinished product may reduce field painting work, but it generally carries a higher purchase price than primed siding.
Wall geometry affects both products. Numerous windows, doors, corners, gables, and transitions require more cutting and flashing than long, uninterrupted walls. A two-story home or steep grade can add about 10%-25% for access and setup. If more than one existing siding layer must come off, removal costs can rise by $1-$2 per sq. ft. or more.
Ask contractors to price the same siding profile, finish, trim scope, and removal plan before comparing bids. Also check whether the quote includes replacement of damaged sheathing and how that work will be billed if hidden rot appears.
How installation hours differ for metal panels and engineered wood
A typical 1,800-2,200-sq.-ft. siding project may take a three- or four-person crew about 5-10 working days, including ordinary tear-off and installation. Complex layouts, weather delays, repairs, or difficult access can extend the schedule. Steel panels can cover large areas quickly, but precise cuts and flashing around openings require care.
LP SmartSide is installed board by board or as panels, depending on the selected product. Cutting, fastening, joint treatment, and finish requirements affect the pace. Labor rates commonly fall around $50-$100 per worker-hour, although contractors usually quote the complete project rather than an hourly total. Urban markets and high-demand areas may exceed that range.
Labor is not always cheaper for the material with the lower purchase price. A detailed trim package, frequent openings, or small walls can make either system slower per square foot. A written estimate should state the approximate siding area, crew scope, and whether painting or touch-up is included.
For budget planning, allow extra time and money when the house has multiple stories, many openings, or concealed wall damage.
How regional labor and climate change siding bids
Installed prices can differ by roughly 10%-25% between lower-cost rural markets and expensive metro areas. Labor availability, contractor overhead, disposal charges, and delivery distance all matter. In remote locations, limited access to steel profiles or factory-finished LP products can increase freight costs or lengthen lead times.
Climate influences product selection and detailing more than it sets a single national price. Coastal locations may favor corrosion-resistant coatings and compatible fasteners, which can increase steel material costs. Areas with heavy rain require careful flashing and moisture management for either system. Local building rules, wind exposure, and snow conditions may also affect fastening or underlayment specifications.
Labor demand can rise during the busiest exterior-renovation months, often spring through fall in many regions. Scheduling during a contractor’s slower period may improve availability, but weather can limit installation in cold or wet conditions. A rush schedule or expedited delivery may add fees.
Use local written bids rather than a national average when setting the final budget. A meaningful comparison should specify the same product grade, finish, wall area, and removal and trim work.
Three siding quotes for common house sizes
The examples below use installed rates rather than material-only prices. They assume standard access, ordinary trim, and sound sheathing; local labor and product choices can move actual quotes outside these totals.
| Project scenario | Steel estimate | LP SmartSide estimate | Scope notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq. ft. siding area | $13,500-$27,000 | $9,000-$19,500 | Simple one-story layout, standard finish |
| 2,000 sq. ft. siding area | $18,000-$36,000 | $12,000-$26,000 | Typical replacement with ordinary trim |
| 2,400 sq. ft. siding area | $21,600-$43,200 | $14,400-$31,200 | Two-story home, more access and setup |
For a more detailed midrange example, 2,000 sq. ft. of steel at $13 per sq. ft. totals about $26,000. A comparable LP SmartSide job at $9 per sq. ft. totals about $18,000. If either project requires $2,000 in sheathing repairs and $1,500 in unusual trim work, those items raise the totals separately.
These examples show why the measured siding area matters more than the home’s advertised square footage. Request the contractor’s wall-area calculation and confirm whether waste, gables, and trim are counted in the stated price.
Repair, repainting, and long-term ownership expenses
Steel can resist insects and does not need routine repainting in the same way painted wood products do, but dents, scratches, and damaged coating may need attention. Localized panel replacement can cost $300-$1,000 or more when access, matching, and labor are included. Hail, impact, or corrosion at cut edges can change repair scope.
LP SmartSide needs installation and maintenance consistent with its product instructions, including attention to joints, clearances, and exposed edges. Repainting may be needed over time, with exterior painting commonly priced at $2-$5 per sq. ft. of painted surface, depending on preparation and local labor. Small touch-ups cost less, while full repainting can become a significant ownership expense.
Warranty terms differ by product line, finish, and installation compliance. A warranty does not eliminate normal maintenance or cover every type of damage. Before choosing, compare the specific product warranty, finish coverage, repair availability, and the cost of maintaining the appearance the homeowner expects.
The lowest installation price is not necessarily the lowest long-term expense. For a fair comparison, estimate likely repainting, repair access, and replacement-part availability over the period the siding will remain on the house.
Ways to lower the steel or LP SmartSide bill
Keep the design simple where possible. Standard profiles, stock colors, and straightforward trim packages usually cost less than custom finishes, intricate corners, or multiple decorative accents. Avoid paying for premium details that do not solve a moisture, durability, or appearance requirement.
Get at least three itemized bids using the same measured area and written scope. Separate siding, labor, tear-off, disposal, wrap, trim, and repairs so the differences are visible. Ask contractors to identify allowances and unit prices for concealed sheathing damage rather than accepting an unclear contingency.
Doing limited preparation can help only when it is safe and agreed upon. Clearing shrubs, moving outdoor furniture, and providing access may reduce crew delays. Homeowners should not remove siding or alter flashing unless the contractor confirms that the work will not complicate warranty or liability coverage.
Consider overlay installation only after a qualified contractor checks the existing wall condition and local requirements. Covering damaged siding can conceal moisture problems and may create detailing or code issues. The most reliable savings come from controlling scope, choosing standard specifications, and comparing complete quotes.
Ask whether combining siding work with planned trim or exterior repairs reduces mobilization charges, but compare the bundled total with separate estimates. Avoid choosing solely by the lowest bid; missing flashing, disposal, or finish work can turn an initially cheap quote into a larger expense.