The average cost of vinyl log siding is $6,000 to $16,500, with a national average of $11,250. If you're removing existing siding, expect to pay more.
Vinyl log siding costs range between $6,000 and $16,500 or $11,250 on average, including materials and installation. Expect to pay more for complex house shapes. Vinyl log siding is a more durable alternative to wood and can give a house a rustic cabin-like charm depending on the vinyl siding color you choose. It’s economical, doesn’t require staining, and is rot-resistant.
Vinyl log siding typically costs between $4 and $11 per square foot to install, with about half of that cost going toward the materials and the other half toward installation labor. The total depends on the thickness, insulation, and materials used, as well as some other factors.
Because some companies sell boards by straight-line linear feet rather than square feet, always check you have the correct measurements before purchasing your materials. The table below includes some average prices based on home square footage, but keep in mind that these totals can vary quite a lot depending on the shape of your home and the number of stories.
| Home Size (Square Feet) | Cost to Install Vinyl Log Siding |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $5,200–$14,300 |
| 1,500 | $8,000–$22,000 |
| 2,000 | $10,800–$29,700 |
| 2,500 | $13,600–$37,400 |
| 3,000 | $16,400–$45,100 |
While you can install siding yourself, we recommend contacting a pro. Improper installation can decrease the life span of the siding and cost more money in the long run.
The two largest factors influencing log cabin vinyl siding costs are the size of your house and the quality of the materials you choose, but other factors can influence how much you end up paying, including the following.
Where you live can influence how much you spend on vinyl log siding. If your home is in an area with a high cost of living—think urban and coastal areas—you’ll spend more on siding replacement costs than you would in a suburban or rural area. If you live in a remote area that takes longer for professionals to access, your costs may also be higher.
The table below demonstrates how location can influence vinyl siding costs across the country:
| Location | Typical Vinyl Siding Cost |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $11,250 |
| Boston | $17,600 |
| Cincinnati | $8,150 |
| Denver | $13,150 |
| Houston | $7,915 |
| Los Angeles | $9,010 |
| Milwaukee | $12,315 |
| New York | $15,300 |
| Nashville | $10,685 |
| Raleigh | $9,150 |
| San Francisco | $5,600 |
| St. Louis | $9,625 |
| Tampa | $7,545 |
If existing siding requires removal before the job begins, it will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire a local siding contractor. If you have the time and the DIY skills, you could tackle the removal yourself to make some savings.
Also, lead paint or asbestos could be present if you have a home where the original siding installation was before 1978. Asbestos tests cost between $230 to $785, and you’ll spend roughly $300 for a lead test. If tests detect either substance, a professional will need to remove it or encapsulate it using new siding. The average cost of asbestos removal is $2,150.
It’s a good idea to add 10% to the amount of siding material you expect to need to account for wastage during the installation process and any slight errors in measurements. That way, you’re less likely to have any hassle trying to source more materials once the job is underway, preventing delays or unexpected additions to your budget.
It’s also nice to have extra siding when the job is finished in case you need to make repairs or replace a panel down the road. Vinyl siding repairs are actually an approachable DIY project if you have the tools on hand and hold onto the leftover siding materials.
Of course, larger homes will require more siding, which means your material costs will go up as your home size increases. Material costs won’t scale linearly in every case, though, as the shape and layout of your home also make a difference.
For example, single-story homes usually require less siding per additional square foot of living space than two-story homes. You’ll also need more material to cover bump-outs or additions than you would for a standard rectangular home.
Labor costs can also increase with additional stories or unique home shapes, as your contractor will need to spend more time cutting your siding to fit around corners, and they’ll need to take additional safety precautions and work more slowly when siding upper floors. For homes with a complex configuration, the labor costs to install vinyl log siding could run up to 25% higher than average.
Vinyl log siding can be unbacked or have an insulating material on the reverse side. Unsurprisingly, insulated boards are more expensive. However, the additional expense can be worth it because of the possible long-term savings on your energy bills. Weigh the pros and cons of insulated vinyl siding before purchasing materials.
For a home requiring around 1,500 square feet of materials, you could save yourself an average of between $3,000 and $7,500 by installing the vinyl log siding yourself, as is the case with most types of vinyl siding. However, costly mistakes leading to wasted materials or supplies, unpaid time off work to finish the job (it’s a time-intensive project!), and tool purchases or rentals can ultimately eat into some of those savings.
Plus, siding is your home’s first line of defense against the elements, so errors during the installation can increase the risk of leaks and water damage, which can be expensive to repair down the road.
Generally, it’s better to leave the job to a professional vinyl siding contractor near you. Siding installation is tricky, physically demanding, and time-consuming, and it can be dangerous if you’re dealing with siding a second story. Hire a pro for a safe installation that will last for decades.
Opting for vinyl siding instead of true wood siding or concrete log siding is already a smart way to keep your log cabin project on a strict budget, but there are even more ways to save money on the cost of vinyl log siding installation, including the following.
Installing it yourself: Labor accounts for roughly half of typical log cabin vinyl siding costs. That means you can cut the project cost in half by doing it yourself. Just make sure you know what you’re doing to avoid costly mistakes and an unprofessional appearance.
Getting the project done in the off-season: Labor rates for siding installation may be more expensive when the demand is high. When getting quotes, ask contractors if they offer discounts during their slow season—usually the fall and winter. Some may be willing to lower the price for the promise of work during their slow time.
Going the insulated route: Insulated vinyl siding costs more per square foot; choosing it will increase your overall project. Over time, however, you could save money thanks to lower energy bills. Sometimes, a higher upfront project cost is worth the long-term financial benefits and reduced strain on your heating and cooling equipment.
Removing the existing siding: Even if you aren’t able to install the new vinyl siding yourself, you can save money by removing the existing siding before the siding installers begin their work. This could save between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the size of your home.
Although installing new vinyl over the old siding is possible, it’s usually better to remove the old materials first. There will be a clearer delineation of doors and windows, and it will uncover any hidden problems with rot or vermin behind the old siding before the installation goes ahead. You’ll pay more to have the old siding removed first, but it’s often a worthwhile addition.
To calculate how many square feet of siding you need for exterior walls, first measure the height and width of the rectangular walls. For the triangular gable walls, measure the width and then the height from the ground to the tallest gable point.
For the rectangular walls, the calculation is: length x height
For the triangular gable walls, the calculation is: (length x height) / 2
Once you add these up, include an additional 10% to account for any wastage.
Vinyl log siding is durable, rot-resistant, colorfast, and scratch-resistant, and it can last for an average of around 30 years. Some vinyl siding can last for up to 60 years with proper maintenance. You won’t need to repaint or restain this type of siding every several years like you would with wood, so ongoing costs and upkeep will be minimal. Although it’s relatively low maintenance, you should still wash your vinyl log siding twice per year. Doing so will increase its longevity, remove any mold, and retain your home’s curb appeal.
Though vinyl siding is affordable, the material may not last as long or look as good as other siding materials. For example, wood siding has a beautiful, natural appearance but requires much more maintenance to keep your siding looking as good as new.
Fiber cement siding is another alternative that mimics the appearance of wood siding. Like vinyl siding, fiber cement is a low-maintenance material, but it does come at a higher price and is heavier and more difficult to install. Weigh the pros and cons of all siding materials before you decide on the best option for your home.
