Vinyl
Clean, low-maintenance siding with the gentlest effect on your upfront budget.
Typical installed range: $9–$15/sq ft
Vinyl siding guide
Siding materials guide
Siding materials guide: vinyl vs fiber cement vs LP SmartSide vs cedar
Four siding materials cover almost every Puget Sound home. Here is how they compare on installed cost, lifespan, upkeep and look, and how to pick the best siding for a Seattle house that sees rain eight months a year.
Material guide
Four siding materials that work in the Pacific Northwest
Every home has different priorities. Use the calculator to see a starting range, then get a detailed recommendation for your exterior.
Fiber cement
Refined curb appeal and a resilient, paintable surface for Pacific Northwest weather.
Typical installed range: $13–$21/sq ft
Fiber cement guideLP SmartSide
Engineered wood warmth with flexible profiles and a strong value-to-performance ratio.
Typical installed range: $11–$18/sq ft
LP SmartSide guideCedar
Distinctive Northwest character with the care and craftsmanship a natural material deserves.
Typical installed range: $16–$28/sq ft
Cedar siding guidePlanning numbers
Installed cost, side by side
Typical Puget Sound installed ranges per square foot of wall — removal of one layer, weather barrier and standard trim included.
- Vinyl $26.0k–$43.4k : $9 to $15 per square foot installed
- LP SmartSide $31.8k–$52.1k : $11 to $18 per square foot installed
- Fiber cement $37.6k–$60.8k : $13 to $21 per square foot installed
- Cedar $46.3k–$81.0k : $16 to $28 per square foot installed
Up close
What each profile looks like
Texture and shadow lines matter as much as color. A few common profiles side by side.
Side by side
Siding materials compared
Installed prices are typical Puget Sound planning ranges per square foot of wall, including removal of one layer of old siding, weather-resistive barrier and standard trim.
| Material | Installed cost | Typical lifespan | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $9–$15 / sq ft | 20–40 years | Wash yearly; no painting | Tight budgets, rentals, low-maintenance owners |
| Fiber cement | $13–$21 / sq ft | 30–50 years | Repaint every 10–15 years | Wet climates, fire resistance, long ownership |
| LP SmartSide | $11–$18 / sq ft | 30–50 years | Repaint every 10–15 years; seal cuts | Wood look on a mid-range budget, impact resistance |
| Cedar | $16–$28 / sq ft | 20–40+ years | Stain or seal every 3–7 years | Craftsman and Northwest-modern character |
Ranges are planning figures, not quotes. Wall height, trim detail, rot repair and access change the final price.
How to choose
Choosing the best siding for a Seattle home
There is no single best siding material for every house. The right answer depends on how long you plan to stay, how much upkeep you will realistically do, what your neighborhood looks like and what your budget allows. These are the questions we walk through with homeowners before we write an estimate.
Climate: moisture is the real test
West of the Cascades, siding rarely fails from heat or hail. It fails from water: wind-driven rain, splash-back at the foundation, shaded north walls that never dry and moss that holds moisture against the boards. All four siding materials can perform here when they are installed over a proper weather-resistive barrier with flashed openings. Fiber cement and LP SmartSide tolerate constant damp well when the cut ends are sealed; vinyl sheds water but can trap it behind poorly flashed windows; cedar needs airflow and a maintained finish. On exposed waterfront lots and windy ridges, fastening and trim details matter even more than the product.
Budget: look at the full life cost
Vinyl has the lowest installed price, roughly $9–$15 per square foot of wall. LP SmartSide ($11–$18) and fiber cement ($13–$21) sit in the middle, and cedar ($16–$28) is the premium option. Factor in paint as well: vinyl never needs it, fiber cement and engineered wood usually need a repaint every 10–15 years, and cedar needs a new stain or sealer every few years. Our siding cost estimator shows the upfront range for your home size and city.
Style and architecture
A 1920s Craftsman bungalow, a 1960s rambler and a new Northwest-modern build all want different profiles. Lap siding suits almost anything. Shingles and wide trim fit Craftsman and cottage homes. Board-and-batten and vertical panels suit modern farmhouse and contemporary designs. Fiber cement and LP SmartSide come in all of these profiles; vinyl covers most of them with less crisp shadow lines; cedar does them all with real wood grain.
HOA rules and design review
Many Eastside and newer South Sound neighborhoods have HOA guidelines that limit materials or colors, and some rule out vinyl entirely. Historic districts may require wood or a close match to original profiles. Check before you fall in love with a sample; we can prepare the material and color details your board needs for approval.
Resale and how long you will stay
If you plan to sell within a few years, clean, fresh siding matters more than the material, and vinyl or LP SmartSide often makes sense. If this is a long-term home, the lower upkeep and longer life of fiber cement, or the character of cedar, can pay off over time.
Maintenance you will actually do
Be honest about ladders and paint brushes. A yearly wash keeps any of these materials looking good. Beyond that, vinyl asks for almost nothing, painted fiber cement and LP SmartSide need periodic caulk checks and repainting, and cedar rewards owners who enjoy maintaining it. If the current siding is failing, read how a full siding replacement works, or whether a targeted siding repair could buy time.
Shortcuts
Which siding material fits your priorities?
Start from what matters most to you, then read the detailed guide for that material.
Budget comes first
Vinyl gives the lowest installed cost and no painting. Insulated vinyl adds some comfort for a modest premium.
Durability and fire resistance
Fiber cement is noncombustible, rot-resistant and stable in wet weather, which suits long ownership.
Wood look, mid budget
LP SmartSide delivers a wood-grain face, long board lengths and good impact resistance for less than cedar.
Authentic character
Cedar offers real grain, shingles and stain colors that suit Craftsman and Northwest-modern homes.
Material questions
Siding materials: common questions
Answers to what homeowners ask when comparing siding materials. More in our siding FAQ.
Can I mix siding materials on the same house?
Yes, and it is common here. A typical combination is lap siding on the main walls with shingles or board-and-batten on gables, or a cedar accent wall next to fiber cement. The key is careful transitions: each material needs its own trim, flashing and clearances where they meet.
Which siding materials need painting?
Vinyl is colored through and is never painted in normal use. Fiber cement and LP SmartSide are either pre-finished at the factory or primed and painted on site, and both need repainting over time. Cedar is usually stained or sealed rather than painted, though solid-body stain and paint are both options.
Is pre-finished siding better than field-painted siding?
Pre-finished boards get a factory-applied coating in controlled conditions, so the finish is consistent and the job skips a separate paint phase. Field painting gives unlimited color choice and covers nail heads and cut ends in one pass. Both work; pre-finished often costs more for material but less for labor and schedule.
Which siding material is the most fire resistant?
Fiber cement is noncombustible and is the usual choice where fire resistance is a priority. Vinyl can melt and deform near a heat source such as a grill. Engineered wood and cedar are combustible, although some products carry fire ratings. If you are near a wildland edge, ask about local code requirements.
Does insulated vinyl or new siding improve energy efficiency?
Siding alone adds little insulation value. Insulated vinyl has a foam backer that adds a modest R-value and makes panels stiffer. The bigger comfort gains usually come from sealing air leaks and installing a good weather-resistive barrier during replacement, and from adding rigid foam where the wall design allows it.
Personalized pricing
Not sure which siding material is right?
Tell us about your home and what matters most. We will recommend a material and give you a written estimate for it.
-
Share your projectWhat you are replacing and how to reach you.
-
Confirm the scopeA brief conversation or property visit resolves the variables.
-
Receive your written estimateClear scope, material options, and next steps.
Request your detailed estimate
Your calculator selections are included automatically.