Reduce your energy costs by upgrading to insulated vinyl siding, which typically costs about $14,000.
Insulated vinyl siding costs about $8 per square foot, but prices can range between $4 and $12 per square foot. On the low end, homeowners might pay $4,000 for a home with 1,000 square feet of exterior walls. On the high end, costs can reach $30,000 for a house with 2,500 feet of exterior walls. A typical home that has 1,750 square feet of exterior walls will cost an average of $14,000.
The cost of insulated vinyl siding is more than traditional vinyl siding, but it’s still fairly affordable compared to other types of siding. Costs will depend on the size of your home and where you live. You may also incur additional insulated vinyl siding costs, like removing siding and purchasing permits.
Insulated vinyl siding is a premium type of vinyl that adds an extra layer of insulation to your home. The insulation—expanded polystyrene insulation backing—increases the energy efficiency of traditional vinyl siding because of its higher R-value (as much as 5x higher than typical vinyl siding). It’s also more durable than typical vinyl, helps to reduce outside noise, and better protects against pests.
For all these benefits of insulated vinyl siding, you’ll have to spend a little more money. Traditional vinyl clapboard siding, for instance, ranges between $2 and $7 per square foot, but insulated vinyl siding costs as much as $12 per square foot.
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.
Installing insulated vinyl siding usually results in two main costs: materials and labor.
| Materials | $2–$6 per square foot |
| Labor | $2–$6 per square foot |
The amount of siding materials required accounts for roughly half of the insulated vinyl costs. That means the siding (usually sold in 100-square-foot squares) costs between $2 and $6 per square foot. If you’re attempting to DIY the installation to save on labor, you may have other tool and supply costs, like scaffolding and ladders, nails, and a chalk line.
Labor accounts for roughly half the cost of vinyl siding installation. Some homeowners try to save money on installation by doing the work themselves, but this could cost more in the long run. Not only will you have to forfeit several days for the work and purchase tools and supplies, but you also have to worry about not doing the job right—and not having it backed by a contractor’s limited warranty.
Incorrectly installed vinyl siding can result in heat loss and pest issues and may reduce the lifespan of the siding or make it more prone to damage during storms. If you think you’re up for the task, though, here’s how to install vinyl siding on your own.
Several factors can impact your overall project costs when installing insulated vinyl siding, including the size of your home and how easy it is to access.
Unsurprisingly, the larger your home is, the more you’ll spend on new siding—no matter what type of siding you’re installing. You’ll have to purchase more materials, and the time to install will be longer or require more professionals, resulting in higher labor costs.
The square footage of your home is not the best way to estimate siding costs, however. Instead, you’ll want to get accurate measurements of each of the exterior walls you plan to cover with insulated vinyl siding dimensions. The table below shows how the square footage of exterior walls can impact insulated vinyl siding costs.
| Exterior Wall Square Footage | Insulated Vinyl Siding Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $4,000–$12,000 |
| 1,250 | $5,000–$15,000 |
| 1,500 | $6,000–$18,000 |
| 1,750 | $7,000–$21,000 |
| 2,000 | $8,000–$24,000 |
| 2,250 | $9,000–$27,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000–$30,000 |
Don’t forget about waste: Expect to have about 10% to 20% of material waste when installing vinyl siding. This means you’ll need to purchase more siding that you need, which allows for uniquely shaped cuts and mistakes. It also means you can keep scraps on hand for vinyl siding repair.
If your home has multiple stories, contractors will need to use ladders or scaffolding to complete the job. This can add risk and time to the project, which may increase installation costs. Similarly, if your home is surrounded by large shrubs, bushes, trees, and other vegetation that make installation more challenging, you can expect labor costs to go up.
Areas with a higher cost of living may have higher material and labor costs. To get a sense of what siding contractors near you charge for their labor, get quotes from at least three different siding companies.
If you live in a colder climate, siding companies may not do much work in the winter, and they’ll have high demand going into and coming out of the cold season. For that reason, summer is often the best time of year to replace your siding. Contractors will have more availability and may offer lower rates.
While materials and labor represent the core insulated vinyl cost factors you’ll encounter, leave room in your budget for these additional costs.
Most siding projects require building permits. Siding contractors usually get these on your behalf and work the fee into their overall cost, but you should always ask the contractor if you need a permit and how to get one. If you’re tackling this project on your own, call up your municipality to understand what permits are required.
If you’re not installing siding on a newly built home, you’ll also need to factor in the removal and disposal of existing siding. Siding contractors usually work this into their rate, but if you’re removing old siding on your own, don’t forget to budget for junk removal costs, usually $150 to $350.
Insulated vinyl siding costs about twice as much as the cheapest type of vinyl siding, but it’s well worth the cost. With the higher R-value, you’ll reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs, and you’ll also be better protected against pests, which can be costly to remove. Insulated vinyl siding is also more durable than traditional vinyl siding, so you can expect it to last longer.
Installing vinyl siding on your own is doable, but unless you have experience with siding projects in the past, we highly recommend leaving this one to a professional. They will ensure correct installation for better efficiency, noise reduction, and pest and weather resistance.
Even if you’ve installed vinyl siding before, keep in mind that insulated vinyl siding is heavier than traditional vinyl, which can make it more challenging for DIYers with some prior experience.
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Insulated vinyl siding costs about twice as much as the cheapest form of vinyl siding, but it’s still more affordable than other types of siding, including fiber cement, wood, stone, and brick. You get a lot of bang for your buck with vinyl siding; it’s durable, it’s available in a wide range of styles and colors, and it helps lower your energy bills.
The biggest con of insulated vinyl siding is that it’s more expensive than traditional vinyl siding. If you’re hoping to save costs on your siding project, you’ll have better luck finding budget-friendly vinyl siding, which can cost as little as $2 per square foot, installed.
Yes, insulated vinyl siding increases the R-value of your home. Depending on the quality and brand of the insulated vinyl, you can get an R-value that is up to 5 times greater than traditional vinyl siding. This can be fantastic for homeowners who are trying to lower their utility costs.
