How Much Does New Siding Cost in Southeastern Pennsylvania?

Your home’s siding says a lot about your humble abode. It’s your home’s version of a first impression and it will show the care or neglect you give it throughout the years. If your siding is in need of some TLC, it may be time to think about repairing or replacing it altogether. This guide will walk you through the factors you need to consider before updating the siding on your home, the advantages and disadvantages of specific types of siding, and how much new siding costs.

When is it time to replace your siding?

Knowing when to replace or repair your siding is as simple as taking a walk around your home. Are there signs of significant damage in your siding? This can include rotting wood; cracked, warped, or missing sections of vinyl; or signs of moisture damage. Another sign could be higher electricity bills during months of extreme weather. This is an indicator that your siding may not be insulating your home properly. Also, look closely for any siding that is not laying flush against your home. This can be a sign that moisture or insects have gotten beneath the siding and into the framework of your home, which is very dangerous.

One benefit of replacing your siding is that it can increase your home’s resale value. If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future, consider replacing, repairing, or deep-cleaning your home’s siding. This investment can increase the resale value and take some of the stress out of selling your home.

We recommend consulting a professional to get their opinion on whether your siding could use a repair or replacement.

What determines the cost of new siding in Southeastern Pennsylvania?

Home size

The square footage of your home plays a big role in the cost of new siding. If you have a small budget but have a larger home you may want to consider making small replacements to your siding as opposed to a total revamp.

Type of siding

There are various types of siding to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Options like stucco or synthetic stone are going to be on the more expensive side, while certain styles of wood and vinyl will run a little cheaper. When choosing your type and style, you need to consider factors like the weather in your area, where the sun hits your home, the look of your neighborhood, etc. The last thing you want is to violate your HOA terms by having the “wrong type/color of siding.”

Shape of home

The shape of your home also plays a part in how much siding will cost. For example, many vinyl panels come in 12-foot lengths, so if your home bends and contours in various ways, you may need to make some cuts. These cuts and other customizations to siding can lead to increased costs. The contractor you hire will be able to give you more accurate estimates for these shaping factors during the consultation process.

Whether or not old siding needs to be removed

The final factor to consider is whether or not you need to remove the current siding on your home. There are several factors to look out for when considering this. How old is your home? When is the last time the siding was updated? Is your siding just dirty or does it really need to be replaced? Once you know the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to get a more accurate estimate.

How do you choose the right color?

Choosing the right color for your home’s siding can be a difficult decision. You have to consider factors like, where the sun shines on your home, what your HOA dictates in regards to siding colors, and what other houses in your neighborhood look like (you don’t want your house to be the ugly duckling, do you?).

Additionally, some colors may fade quicker, requiring that you paint them more often and spend more money on maintenance. Some colors show dirt and grime worse than others. Some colors reflect and absorb the sun’s heat differently. With all of these factors, it is understandably difficult to make a decision. Be sure to ask your MHX contractor for thoughts, tips, and advice on how to choose the right siding color for your home.

How do you choose the right type of siding?

With so many different siding options available, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one to choose. Here’s an overview of the different types available and the pros and cons of each.

Aluminum siding

Aluminum is the most popular metal siding used, as it provides a sleek, shiny look to your home’s exterior.

Pros:

• It is lightweight, easy to install, and insulates homes very well during the colder and warmer months of the year.
• It is bug and fire-resistant

Cons:

• It can become misshapen over time.
• Some people don’t find it to be as aesthetically pleasing as other options.
• When it gets hit with things like hard rain or hail, it can be very loud.

Wood

Wood siding gives your home a very traditional look. The eco-friendly material works best as a siding with pine, spruce, cypress, or Douglas fir. Some options provide more sturdiness, while others are resistant to rot.

Pros:

• It is aesthetically pleasing.
• It is easy to replace and can be easily customized with paint or stain.

Cons:

• It needs routine maintenance to make sure there are no rotting spots, cracks, or warps in the wood.
• It can be easily damaged by insects and water.
• It does not keep paint well, so you will have to repaint your home about every 3-5 years.
• It can be a bit more costly than other siding options, but for some, the look of wood siding outweighs the cost.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a very popular and durable option for siding. Its versatility knows nearly no bounds as it can be your primary siding, or retrofitted over older siding on your home.

Pros:

• It requires little to no maintenance, as dirt washes off quite easily and any scuffs and scratches do not leave a heavy mark.
• Many vinyl brands offer lifetime warranties, so should something happen, you will be covered.
• It is less expensive than options like aluminum and wood, allowing you to cut the costs of siding and add those savings on to your next home project.

Cons:

• It tends to be cut in 12-foot lengths, causing the need to overlap material. In order to avoid this, you can order extra long panels, but that will increase the price quite a bit.
• It is not very eco-friendly, so if you are trying to remain environmentally conscious, it would be best to choose another siding material.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding is a combination of clay, cement, sand, and wood pulp. The material can be made to mimic wood, shingles, stucco, and masonry.

Pros:

• The material is easy to paint and most manufacturers offer different finishes for it.
• It is resistant to the effects of humidity and temperature that tend to cause other materials to expand and contract.
• It generally comes with a 30-year warranty, so once you buy it, you will be set for a long time.

Cons:

• It is very heavy and requires specific tools and a contractor with the experience to install it. Fortunately, its durability can be worth the investment.

Here at MHX Designs, we offer a variety of siding and stucco options for you to choose from. For more information, please contact us online. 

How much does siding cost for a 1,500 sq ft Home in Southeastern Pennsylvania?

Please note: the following prices do NOT include the removal of the current siding and other exterior items integrated within the siding system.

Aluminum siding costs

As a cheaper option, aluminum runs between $2 and $3 per square foot for the standard grade. More expensive custom grades will run between $4 and $5. An average 1,500 square foot house would cost around $7,700 for standard aluminum siding and upwards of $11,000 for custom grades after labor and material costs.

Wood siding costs

Wood siding can range from $3 to $9 per square foot. Depending on the wood you choose, new siding on a 1,500 square foot home could cost between $10,000 and $13,000.

CertainTeed Vinyl siding costs

CertainTeed vinyl siding runs between $1,200 and $1,400 per 100 square feet for materials and labor. For a 1,500 square foot home, the costs to replace your siding can range from $18,000 to $21,000. 

James Hardie Fiber Cement costs

Fiber cement can run between $1,800 and $2,000 per 100 square foot depending on the amount and type of material you choose. Fiber cement has a number of benefits that make the costs worth it. Installing fiber cement also requires very specific skills, so labor costs will also be higher than other options. The total for a 1,500 square foot home can range between $27,000 and $30,000. 

Veneer Stone costs

As the saying goes, you pay for quality. Prices for veneer stone walls typically range between $3,000 and $3,500 per 100 square feet for materials and labor. To completely side a 1,500 square foot home with veneer stone, it will run homeowners anywhere from $45,000 to $52,500.

Stucco costs

Similar to veneer stone, stucco is a more expensive siding option than vinyl or fiber cement siding. That said, it’s a beautiful material that homeowners adore. Stucco can cost between $2,800 and $3,000 per 100 square feet, which comes out to about $42,000 to $45,000 for a 1,500 square foot home.

What other factors influence the cost of new siding in Southeastern Pennsylvania?

Some final things to consider before deciding to update the siding on your house are taxes, permits, removing or repairing material, and the amount of time it takes to complete replacements or installations.

Taxes

Taxes will vary by state, so depending on where you reside, your siding project costs will vary. Some home siding jobs may even be tax-deductible,  depending on your use of the home. Your personal home may not receive any deductions, but should you decide to upgrade your siding, you may be able to increase your tax basis and reduce your capital gains when selling your home down the line. For rental homes, you will be able to deduct the annual depreciation on the home as tax deductions.

Permits

Permits are necessary if you are stripping and adding new siding. The local building department must be sure that the siding can stand against the weather and climate in your area. Permits are usually not required if you are simply adding a new layer of siding over old siding. If you need to patch a rotted board or small hole, generally that wouldn’t mess with the structural integrity of your home, so you would not need a permit in that situation either. 

Other or additional construction

Before starting your siding project, you should consult a professional to make sure that your project is doable and necessary. When you choose to work with MHX Designs, one of our experienced team members will help guide you through the process of adding, replacing, painting, patching, or repairing siding. They will be able to make sure that you aren’t hitting any HVAC, electrical, or plumbing systems; test potentially hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, etc.), and check for any framework that needs modifying based on your siding.

Time

Some projects take a couple of days, others can take up to a month. It really depends on the size and shape of your home; the type of material you plan to use as siding; the cuts needed to work around the windows, gutters, etc. around your home; and the size of the work crew that does the work on your home. A local professional like MHX Designs will be able to give you an accurate estimate of time and costs before starting your project.

How do you get started?

Ready to update or replace the siding on your home? Start by contacting our professionals here at MHX Designs to assess your home. Go into that consultation with a general understanding of what your options are and a set of questions you want to discuss with the contractor. Investing in new siding can be one of the best decisions you make for your home. Contact us today for a free consultation to take the first step to beautiful new siding!