New siding costs $5–$15 per square foot installed for most materials. A full siding replacement on a typical 1,500 sq ft home runs $12,000–$30,000, with vinyl at the low end and fibre cement or engineered wood at the high end. The total depends on material choice, home size and height, removal of old siding, and the complexity of your exterior — corners, windows, dormers, and trim all add to the cost.
Siding is both aesthetic and functional — it's the outer shell that protects your home from rain, snow, wind, and temperature extremes. In Canadian climates especially, siding choice affects energy efficiency, maintenance costs, and how often you'll need to repaint or repair.
Use the siding calculator to estimate how much material you'll need for your project.
| Material | Cost / Sq Ft (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $4–$9 |
| Engineered wood (LP SmartSide) | $6–$12 |
| Fibre cement (Hardie board) | $8–$14 |
| Wood (cedar, pine, spruce) | $7–$15 |
| Metal (aluminum, steel) | $7–$14 |
| Stone veneer (manufactured) | $10–$18 |
| Stucco (traditional) | $7–$12 |
| EIFS (synthetic stucco) | $8–$14 |
| Brick veneer | $12–$25 |
Costs include materials, labour, and standard trim but not removal of existing siding (add $1–$3/sq ft for tear-off).
| Home Size | Vinyl |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (~1,200 sq ft walls) | $5,000–$11,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft (~1,600 sq ft walls) | $6,500–$14,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft (~2,000 sq ft walls) | $8,000–$18,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft (~2,400 sq ft walls) | $10,000–$21,500 |
| 3,000+ sq ft (~2,800 sq ft walls) | $11,000–$25,000 |
Exterior wall area is larger than floor area because it includes all storeys and gable ends. A 1,500 sq ft two-storey home has roughly 1,600–1,800 sq ft of exterior wall area. The siding calculator gives you a more precise number based on your home's dimensions.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Old siding removal | $1–$3/sq ft |
| Sheathing repair/replacement | $2–$5/sq ft |
| House wrap (Tyvek, etc.) | $0.50–$1.50/sq ft |
| Exterior insulation (rigid foam) | $2–$5/sq ft |
| Soffit and fascia | $5–$12/linear ft |
| Window and door trim | $3–$8/linear ft |
| Permits | $100–$500 |
The hidden cost: what's underneath. Siding replacement is the one time you get to see the state of your sheathing, house wrap, and framing. Contractors frequently discover rot, moisture damage, or missing insulation once the old siding comes off. Budget an extra 10–15% contingency for surprises.
The most popular siding in Canada and the US by installed volume. It's cheap, low-maintenance, and comes in dozens of colours and profiles. Modern vinyl is thicker and more impact-resistant than the hollow stuff from the 1990s. It doesn't rot, doesn't need painting, and can be power-washed clean.
The downsides: it can crack in extreme cold (-30°C and below), it warps if exposed to high heat (too close to a grill or reflective windows), and it looks like vinyl. Premium insulated vinyl ($6–$10/sq ft installed) has a foam backing that adds R-2 to R-5 and makes the panels feel more solid.
James Hardie's HardiePlank is the dominant product but LP SmartSide and others compete. Fibre cement is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibres — it's fireproof, rot-proof, insect-proof, and stands up to Canadian winters. It comes pre-primed or pre-painted with a 15-year finish warranty.
It's heavier than vinyl or wood, so installation is slower and more expensive. It also needs periodic repainting (every 10–15 years), though far less often than wood. Most builders and real estate agents consider it the best balance of price, durability, and curb appeal.
Cedar clapboard, shingles, and board-and-batten are the traditional choice and still the best-looking option for many homeowners. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and insect-resistant, but it still needs staining or painting every 3–7 years to maintain its protection and appearance.
Wood siding is the highest-maintenance option by far. If you skip a maintenance cycle, you're looking at scraping, sanding, and potentially replacing boards — which costs far more than the stain would have. Beautiful but demanding.
Aluminum and steel siding are gaining popularity for modern and contemporary homes. Steel is stronger and dent-resistant; aluminum is lighter and won't rust. Both last 40–60 years with virtually no maintenance. Metal can be painted any colour and some products mimic wood grain convincingly.
The main drawback is denting (aluminum more than steel) and noise — metal siding can be noisy in heavy rain or hail without proper insulation backing.
| Factor | Replace Siding | Paint Existing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (1,500 sq ft home) | $12,000–$30,000 | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Duration | 1–3 weeks | 3–5 days |
| Lasts | 20–50+ years | 5–10 years |
| Fixes structural issues | Yes — rot, damage, missing insulation | No — cosmetic only |
| Adds insulation opportunity | Yes — can add rigid foam underneath | No |
| ROI at resale | 60–80% cost recovery | 50–70% cost recovery |
When to paint: Your siding is structurally sound, not rotting, and you just want a colour change or refresh. Painting is 3–5× cheaper and buys you another 5–10 years.
When to replace: Siding is rotting, cracking, warping, or past its lifespan. Replacing lets you upgrade insulation, fix sheathing, and reset the clock for 30–50 years. If you'd need to paint within 2–3 years anyway and the siding is aging, replacement often makes more financial sense long-term.
See our painting cost guide for full painting pricing.
| Region | Vinyl / sq ft | Fibre Cement / sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver / Lower Mainland | $5–$10 | $10–$16 |
| Calgary / Edmonton | $4–$9 | $9–$14 |
| Toronto / GTA | $5–$10 | $9–$15 |
| Montreal | $4–$8 | $8–$13 |
| Ottawa | $4–$9 | $9–$14 |
| Prairies (Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina) | $4–$8 | $8–$12 |
| Atlantic Canada | $4–$8 | $8–$12 |
| Rural / small town | $3–$7 | $7–$11 |
All prices CAD. Add HST/GST/PST as applicable.
A full siding replacement for a 1,500 sq ft home costs $12,000–$30,000 depending on material. Vinyl is the most affordable at $6,500–$14,500. Fibre cement (Hardie board) runs $13,000–$22,500. Engineered wood falls in between at $10,000–$19,000. These prices include removal of old siding, materials, labour, and standard trim. Add 10–15% for potential sheathing repairs discovered during tear-off.
Vinyl siding is the cheapest at $4–$9 per square foot installed. It's also the lowest maintenance — no painting, no staining, just occasional washing. Insulated vinyl ($6–$10/sq ft) adds a foam backing for better energy efficiency and a more solid feel. Vinyl won't rot, but it can crack in extreme cold and doesn't have the curb appeal of wood or fibre cement.
Vinyl siding typically lasts 20–40 years in Canadian climates. Quality matters — premium vinyl (0.044" thick or more) holds up better than builder-grade (0.040") in cold temperatures. The biggest threats are impact damage (hail, flying debris), extreme cold cracking, and UV fading. Most warranties cover 25–lifetime but read the fine print on colour fade coverage.
Fibre cement costs roughly double vinyl but lasts 40–50+ years, is fireproof, won't crack in cold, and offers much better curb appeal and resale value. It needs repainting every 10–15 years ($3,000–$7,000 for a typical home), which adds to lifetime cost. For homes in high-fire-risk areas, extreme climates, or where curb appeal matters for resale, the premium is usually worth it. For rental properties or tight budgets, vinyl is the smarter choice.
Sometimes. Vinyl can be installed over old wood or vinyl siding if the surface is flat and the sheathing underneath is sound. This saves $1–$3/sq ft in tear-off costs. However, installing over existing siding hides potential rot or moisture damage, adds weight, and can create uneven surfaces. Most contractors recommend removing old siding to inspect and repair the sheathing and house wrap — it costs more upfront but prevents expensive problems later.
Late spring through early fall (May–October) is the standard siding season in most of Canada. Avoid winter installation — most siding materials become brittle in extreme cold and caulking doesn't cure properly below 5°C. The best value is typically booking in April or May before peak season, or September when demand starts dropping. Vancouver and southern BC can extend the season to March–November due to milder temperatures.