Siding questions answered
Siding FAQ: costs, materials and the replacement process
Plain answers to the questions Puget Sound homeowners ask before, during and after a siding project.
Cost & estimates
Siding costs and estimates
How pricing works, what an estimate covers and how to use the online range.
How do I work out my wall area from my home's square footage?
For a typical two-story home, multiply the living area by about 1.36. A 1,900 sq ft house has roughly 2,580 sq ft of wall once gables and bump-outs are counted. Single-story homes, tall gables and complex rooflines move that ratio, which is why we measure every wall before writing a final estimate.
What are typical installed prices per square foot?
Our Puget Sound planning ranges per sq ft of wall are $9–$15 for vinyl, $11–$18 for LP SmartSide, $13–$21 for fiber cement and $16–$28 for cedar. Local labor costs adjust those figures; Seattle and the Eastside tend to sit higher than Everett or Tacoma. They are planning numbers, not quotes. See the siding cost estimator for your city.
Is the estimate really free?
Yes. There is no charge for the visit or the written estimate, and no obligation to go ahead. We would rather you compare our scope against other bids with full information than feel rushed into signing anything. If you only want a ballpark first, the online calculator gives you a planning range without asking for any contact details.
What does a written estimate include?
It describes the scope wall by wall: removal and disposal, house wrap, flashing, trim, the siding product and profile, paint or finish, and cleanup. It also explains how any rotted sheathing or framing found after tear-off will be priced, so you know how surprises are handled before they happen.
Why do siding bids from different contractors vary so much?
Bids often cover different scopes. One may include new house wrap, window flashing and trim while another reuses old trim or skips flashing. Compare line by line: tear-off, weather barrier, flashing, trim material, paint, repairs allowance and cleanup. A lower number with a thinner scope is not the same project.
Can I lower the cost without cutting corners?
Often, yes. Choosing lap siding over more labor-intensive profiles, using a pre-finished product to avoid field painting, or keeping sound trim where it can be flashed properly all help. What we will not trim is the moisture detailing behind the siding, because that is what protects the house.
Materials
Choosing a siding material
How vinyl, fiber cement, LP SmartSide and cedar differ in practice. Full details in our siding materials guide.
What is the difference between fiber cement and LP SmartSide?
Fiber cement is made from cement, sand and cellulose fibers, so it does not burn and does not rot, but it is heavy and brittle before installation. LP SmartSide is engineered wood treated for moisture and insects; it is lighter, more impact-resistant and usually a little less expensive. Both need their cut edges and clearances handled correctly. Compare them on the fiber cement and LP SmartSide pages.
Does vinyl siding hold up in the Pacific Northwest?
Good-quality vinyl handles rain well and never needs painting, which is why it remains the budget-friendly choice. Its weak spots are impact damage, wind on poorly fastened panels and warping from reflected sunlight. Thicker panels and correct nailing, with room for expansion, make a big difference. More in our vinyl siding guide.
How much maintenance does cedar siding need?
Cedar needs the most care of the four materials. Plan to restain or reseal every three to seven years depending on sun and weather exposure, and keep moss and debris off shaded walls. In return you get a natural look no manufactured product fully copies. Our cedar siding page covers grades and finishes.
Can I mix materials on one house?
Yes, and it is a popular look. Many homes pair lap siding on the main walls with shingles or board-and-batten in the gables, or add cedar accents at the entry. Mixed materials add transitions and trim, so the cost per square foot rises slightly, but it can be a good way to use a premium material where it shows most.
Is pre-finished siding worth it?
Pre-finished boards arrive with a factory-applied coating, so there is no separate paint job and the finish is applied in controlled conditions. You pay more for the material but save on field painting and scheduling around dry weather. Primed boards cost less up front and let you choose any color, but need painting soon after installation.
What siding colors work best in our climate?
Color is a personal choice, but some practical points apply. Very dark colors on vinyl can cause heat distortion on sunny walls unless the product is rated for them. Mid-tones hide pollen and grime better than bright white. On fiber cement and engineered wood, quality exterior paint matters more than the color itself.
Process, repairs & maintenance
Scheduling, repairs and upkeep
What the work looks like and how to keep new siding in good shape.
Can siding be installed during the rainy season?
Yes. Siding work continues through most of the year in the Puget Sound. We remove old siding in sections and cover open walls with house wrap the same day. Painting primed boards and some sealants need dry conditions, so finish work may be scheduled around the weather.
How far ahead should I plan a siding project?
Allow time for the estimate visit, your decision, material ordering and any HOA approval before work starts. Spring and summer fill up first, so homeowners who want work done in dry months often start planning in winter. Use the siding cost estimator to set a budget early.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval for new siding?
Permit requirements vary by city and by scope. Like-for-like siding replacement is often treated differently from work that changes structure, windows or exterior appearance in a historic district. Many HOAs require approval of material and color. We will point out what applies to your address during the estimate.
How will my yard and plants be protected?
We cover beds and shrubs near the walls, keep materials staged in an agreed area, and clean up debris daily. Before we start, it helps if you trim plants back from the house and move pots, furniture and anything fragile. A magnetic nail sweep is part of final cleanup.
How often should I wash my siding?
Once a year is a good rhythm for most homes, more often on shaded walls prone to moss and mildew. Use a garden hose, a soft brush and a mild cleaner. Avoid high-pressure washing aimed upward, which can drive water behind the siding and damage paint or seams.
What small problems should I fix before they get worse?
Watch for cracked caulk around windows, gaps at corner trim, peeling paint on the bottom courses, gutters that overflow onto walls and soil or bark piled against the siding. Each lets water in. Catching them early often means a small siding repair instead of replacing whole sections later.
Can you repair storm or impact damage to siding?
Yes. Wind-lifted vinyl, cracked fiber cement from falling branches and dented panels are common repairs. We replace the damaged pieces, check the house wrap behind them and match the surrounding siding as closely as possible. If you are filing an insurance claim, our written estimate can document the scope of work.
Free, no-pressure estimate
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