Wood siding typically costs more than vinyl to install, while vinyl generally costs less to maintain over time. For a typical 2,000-square-foot home, wood siding vs. vinyl cost depends on siding type, wall area, removal needs, labor rates, and trim details.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding installed | $12,000 | $18,000 | $28,000 | $6-$14 per sq. ft.; standard panels and straightforward access |
| Wood siding installed | $20,000 | $32,000 | $52,000 | $10-$26 per sq. ft.; species and finish affect price |
| Vinyl upkeep | $100 | $250 | $600 | Typical annual cleaning or minor repairs |
| Wood upkeep | $500 | $1,200 | $2,500 | Typical annualized painting, sealing, and repair allowance |
Assumptions: 2,000 sq. ft. of siding surface, standard-quality products, normal access, and U.S. contractor installation.
Installed prices for wood and vinyl siding
Vinyl siding commonly runs $6-$14 per square foot installed, or about $12,000-$28,000 for 2,000 square feet. Wood siding ranges from $10-$26 per square foot, putting the same project around $20,000-$52,000. Cedar shingles, premium species, intricate trim, and high labor markets can push wood above that range.
Vinyl usually saves $8,000-$18,000 on a midrange 2,000-square-foot installation. The comparison assumes siding surface area, not floor area; a two-story home’s wall area, gables, and openings change the amount required. Basic vinyl and painted pine tend toward the low end, while insulated vinyl and durable cedar tend to cost more.
What removal, trim, and installation add to quotes
Contractor estimates divide the price among materials, labor, old-siding removal, and finishing work. The ranges below are typical allowances for a 2,000-square-foot exterior and can overlap when contractors bundle tasks.
| Quote component | Vinyl range | Wood range | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siding materials | $3,000-$9,000 | $7,000-$22,000 | $1.50-$11 per sq. ft. |
| Installation labor | $5,000-$11,000 | $8,000-$17,000 | $50-$100 per crew-hour equivalent |
| Removal and disposal | $1,000-$4,000 | $1,000-$4,000 | $0.50-$2 per sq. ft. |
| Trim, flashing, and accessories | $1,000-$4,000 | $2,000-$7,000 | Openings, corners, and finish details |
| Sheathing repairs | $500-$5,000 | $500-$5,000 | Damage found after removal |
Removal and concealed wall repairs are common reasons a final invoice exceeds the initial siding quote. Ask whether estimates include house wrap, flashing, disposal fees, and replacement of damaged sheathing.
How wall area and siding type change the estimate
Measured siding area matters more than the home’s advertised floor area. A 1,500-square-foot ranch may have less exterior wall area than a 1,500-square-foot two-story house with multiple gables. Each additional 100 square feet adds roughly $600-$1,400 for vinyl or $1,000-$2,600 for wood, installed.
Material specifications create another large gap. Standard vinyl often costs $3-$7 per square foot for materials, while insulated panels can reach $5-$10. Wood clapboard may cost $4-$12 per square foot for materials; cedar shingles or specialty wood can run $7-$18. Changing from standard clapboard to premium wood can add thousands before labor is counted.
Access and wall condition also matter. A steep roofline, three-story elevation, or complex window trim can increase labor by 10%-30%. If more than 10% of sheathing is damaged, repairs may add $1,000-$5,000 or more depending on extent.
Why wood siding takes longer to install
Vinyl crews often install about 1,000-1,500 square feet per day on an uncomplicated home; wood work may take 600-1,000 square feet per day because cutting, fastening, caulking, and finishing require more detail. A typical job takes roughly 5-10 working days for vinyl or 7-14 for wood, with weather and crew size affecting the schedule.
Contractor labor commonly falls around $50-$100 per hour per worker, though bids usually price the full job rather than bill by the hour. Wood that needs field painting or staining can add $1-$4 per square foot and extra days. Confirm whether finish coats and cleanup are included in the labor quote.
Regional siding prices from coastal cities to rural areas
Prices in high-cost coastal metros can be 15%-30% above national midrange estimates because of wages, insurance, and disposal charges. Many Midwestern and Southern markets land near typical ranges, while rural areas may have lower labor rates but higher delivery costs or fewer qualified installers. These differences apply to both materials, though skilled wood-siding labor can widen the regional premium.
Freight can add $300-$1,500 for bulky orders, especially outside supplier service areas. Local code requirements, wind exposure, and moisture protection can also affect product selection and installation. Compare quotes from contractors who price the same measured wall area and scope.
Three sample quotes for comparable home sizes
These examples illustrate how material, area, and labor change the total; actual bids depend on local rates and wall conditions.
| Project | Scope and labor | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl ranch | 1,500 sq. ft.; standard panels; 70-90 labor hours | $9,000-$18,000 |
| Vinyl two-story | 2,000 sq. ft.; trim replacement; 100-130 labor hours | $16,000-$28,000 |
| Cedar clapboard | 2,000 sq. ft.; removal and paint; 140-190 labor hours | $28,000-$48,000 |
Use the same area measurement, removal scope, and trim specification when comparing bids. A lower quote may exclude painting, house wrap, or disposal rather than reflect a true material savings.
Long-term repairs and repainting change ownership cost
Vinyl usually needs washing and occasional panel replacement; a damaged panel may cost $100-$300 to replace, including labor for a small repair visit. Wood generally needs inspection and repainting or staining every 5-10 years, with exterior repainting often costing $3,000-$8,000 for a typical home. Rot repairs can add $200-$1,000 per affected area, depending on access and extent.
Over 10 years, routine upkeep may total roughly $1,000-$6,000 for vinyl and $5,000-$15,000 for wood, excluding major storm damage or full repainting beyond the assumed cycle. Wood’s higher purchase price can be partly offset by long service life, but only with timely maintenance.
Where homeowners can trim a siding budget
Keeping the existing layout, window trim, and sound sheathing avoids added carpentry. If old siding is flat, dry, and suitable for an approved overlay, ask whether installation over it is code-compliant; skipping removal can save about $1,000-$4,000, but may hide moisture damage and complicate future repairs.
Standard vinyl colors and profiles usually cost less than insulated panels or custom finishes. For wood, compare painted pine with cedar and ask for separate prices for factory-finished and site-finished materials. Schedule work outside peak local demand when contractors offer more availability, and compare at least three itemized bids. Control scope before choosing the lowest material price.