Vinyl cedar shake siding typically costs about $7 to $14 per square foot installed, though premium products, difficult access, and repairs to the wall underneath can push the price higher. A typical project may total $12,000 to $28,000, depending on the home’s exterior wall area and project scope. Understanding what the estimate includes helps homeowners compare bids, plan for added costs, and decide whether vinyl shake suits their home.
Average Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding Cost
Most contractors price siding by the square foot of exterior wall coverage, not by the home’s interior floor area. As a broad U.S. planning range, vinyl cedar shake siding costs around $7 to $14 per square foot for materials and professional installation. Basic products and straightforward jobs may fall below that range; premium panels and complex work can exceed it.
For a rough project budget, a home with 1,500 square feet of siding coverage might cost $10,500 to $21,000. At 2,000 square feet, the same range becomes $14,000 to $28,000. These examples assume the quoted rate covers ordinary installation. They do not necessarily include extensive tear-off, sheathing replacement, new trim, permits, or other upgrades.
| Estimated siding area | At $7 per square foot | At $14 per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| 1,500 square feet | $10,500 | $21,000 |
| 2,000 square feet | $14,000 | $28,000 |
| 2,500 square feet | $17,500 | $35,000 |
This table is a starting point, not a contractor quote. Homes with complex rooflines, tall walls, many windows, or unusual transitions require more labor and cutting. Regional labor rates and product availability also affect the final price.
What Is Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding?
Vinyl cedar shake siding is molded plastic siding designed to resemble individual cedar shingles or shakes. Panels may imitate wood grain, staggered edges, and the varied shadow lines of natural cedar. The material is usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and it is sold in different profiles, textures, colors, and thicknesses.
Unlike real cedar, vinyl does not need regular staining or painting. It is also generally lighter and less expensive than many natural or fiber-cement alternatives. However, its appearance, impact resistance, color options, and warranty vary by manufacturer and product line. A sample viewed outdoors is often more informative than a small catalog image.
Cost Breakdown: Materials, Labor, and Removal
Vinyl shake materials
Vinyl shake siding panels commonly account for roughly $3 to $8 per square foot of the project’s cost, depending on product quality, profile, and brand. Specialty colors, deeper textures, insulated products, and thicker panels can cost more. The material package may also require starter strips, corner posts, J-channels, flashing, fasteners, and trim pieces.
Homeowners should confirm whether a material quote includes these accessories. A low panel price may not represent the full cost of a complete siding system. Matching trim and color-matched components can add a meaningful amount, particularly on homes with many corners, windows, doors, or roof-to-wall intersections.
Installation labor
Installation labor often makes up a substantial share of the total. Contractors must prepare the wall, set out courses, cut and fit panels, work around openings, and install flashing and trim. Labor costs rise when the job involves multiple stories, steep or obstructed access, intricate architectural details, or extensive removal of existing siding.
Vinyl needs room to expand and contract as temperatures change. Installers must follow the product’s fastening and clearance instructions rather than fastening panels tightly. Poor installation can lead to buckling, loose panels, water-management problems, or visible gaps.
Old siding removal and disposal
Removing and disposing of existing siding may add about $1 to $3 per square foot, although local labor, disposal fees, and the material being removed can change that figure. Some contractors install vinyl over existing siding when the wall is suitable and local rules allow it. Covering old material is not always appropriate, especially if it is damaged, uneven, wet, or conceals a moisture problem.
Older homes may require testing or special handling if the existing material could contain asbestos or lead-based paint. A contractor should explain how suspected hazardous materials will be evaluated and managed. Do not assume standard demolition pricing covers regulated abatement.
Factors That Change the Price
- Product quality: Panel thickness, texture, color, warranty, and resistance to impact or fading affect material cost.
- Home size and shape: More wall area increases material use, while gables, dormers, bay windows, and numerous corners add cutting and labor.
- Stories and access: Scaffolding, lifts, and additional safety measures can raise labor costs on tall or difficult-to-reach walls.
- Wall repairs: Rotted sheathing, damaged framing, or deteriorated house wrap must be addressed before new siding is installed.
- Trim and flashing: Replacing window trim, corner boards, soffits, fascia, or flashing may be separate from the siding price.
- Location: Local wages, contractor demand, shipping distance, and disposal costs influence bids.
- Season and scheduling: Contractor availability and weather can affect timing and, in some markets, pricing.
Additional Costs to Include in a Budget
Homeowners should ask contractors to list work that is excluded from the per-square-foot price. Potential additions include:
- Sheathing or framing repairs: The cost depends on how much damaged material is found after the old siding comes off.
- House wrap and moisture-control details: A water-resistive barrier, flashing, and properly integrated drainage details may be needed or recommended.
- Window and door work: New trim, flashing, or adjustments to openings can increase the estimate.
- Gutters, downspouts, or exterior fixtures: These may need temporary removal and reinstallation.
- Permits and inspections: Requirements differ by municipality and project scope.
- Lead or asbestos procedures: Older materials may call for testing and specialized removal.
- Painting or finish work: Vinyl itself generally does not need painting, but adjacent surfaces may need touch-ups after installation.
A reasonable contingency is useful when the condition of concealed wall materials is unknown. The contractor should document any additional work and obtain approval before proceeding, rather than treating an open-ended allowance as an automatic charge.
How to Estimate Siding Area
A preliminary estimate can begin with the exterior wall dimensions. Multiply each wall’s width by its height, then add the areas of gables and other projections. Subtract large windows and doors if the contractor’s measuring method allows it. Contractors may still include some opening area in their material calculation because cutting produces waste and panels must fit around openings.
For a simple rectangular wall, the calculation is width × height. A triangular gable can be estimated as one-half × base × height. A professional measurement is more reliable because it accounts for rooflines, corners, panel layout, and waste. The home’s floor area alone cannot accurately determine siding area.
Vinyl Cedar Shake Versus Other Siding
Vinyl cedar shake siding may cost less than natural cedar or many premium cladding options, but price is only one consideration. Each material has different maintenance needs, appearance, repair methods, and expected service life. Actual performance depends on product quality, climate, installation, and upkeep.
| Siding type | Typical cost position | Maintenance considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl cedar shake | Often a midrange, lower-cost alternative to natural wood | Periodic cleaning; inspect for loose, cracked, or impact-damaged panels |
| Natural cedar shingles | Often higher over the full installed project | May require staining or sealing and checks for moisture or insect damage |
| Fiber-cement shingles | Often higher in installed cost than basic vinyl | Finish and joints require inspection; product-specific maintenance applies |
| Standard vinyl lap siding | Often less expensive than shake-style profiles | Similar basic cleaning, with appearance and profile differences |
Prices vary widely, so these comparisons are directional rather than fixed national rates. Contractors should quote the same measured area and clearly identify materials, trim, removal, and repairs for each option.
Maintenance and Long-Term Value
Vinyl siding generally needs periodic washing with a soft brush or an appropriate low-pressure method. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions; excessive pressure or harsh chemicals can damage panels or force water behind them. Homeowners should also inspect the siding after severe weather and address loose sections, damaged flashing, or signs of water intrusion.
Vinyl does not require routine painting, but that does not make it maintenance-free. Panels can crack from impact, deform under excessive heat, or fade over time. A repair may be straightforward when spare panels are available, but older colors and discontinued profiles can be difficult to match. Keeping leftover material and product information can help with future repairs.
Long-term value depends on more than the purchase price. A well-installed siding system can protect the wall assembly and reduce routine finish work, while poor detailing can lead to expensive moisture damage. Siding alone should not be treated as a substitute for insulation or a complete air-sealing upgrade.
How to Compare Contractor Quotes
Request written estimates from at least three licensed and insured contractors, where licensing is required. Each estimate should specify the siding manufacturer, product line, profile, color, accessories, measured area, installation method, and warranty terms. It should also state whether tear-off, disposal, house wrap, flashing, trim, permits, and wall repairs are included.
Ask how the contractor will handle water management around windows, doors, roof intersections, and penetrations. Confirm who is responsible for permits and cleanup, how hidden damage will be priced, and whether the crew that performs the work is covered by the contractor’s insurance. A low bid that omits essential preparation may not be the least expensive choice once the project is underway.
Compare the product warranty with the contractor’s workmanship warranty. Manufacturer warranties commonly have conditions and exclusions; they do not necessarily cover installation errors, labor, or every kind of damage. The written documents should clarify how claims are handled and whether coverage is transferable.
Ways to Control Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding Costs
- Choose a profile and color available through local suppliers to reduce special-order costs and delays.
- Keep the existing layout where practical instead of adding unnecessary trim or decorative transitions.
- Bundle siding with related exterior work only when the scope and pricing are clearly itemized.
- Schedule work early enough to compare bids rather than accepting the first available contractor.
- Ask whether sound existing materials can remain, but do not cover moisture damage or uneven walls.
- Set aside funds for concealed repairs and require written approval before extra work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does vinyl cedar shake siding cost per square foot?
A useful U.S. planning range is $7 to $14 per square foot installed. Product choice, removal, access, labor rates, and wall repairs can move a project outside that range.
How much does it cost to side a 2,000-square-foot house?
The home’s floor area is not the siding area. If the exterior walls measure 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, a preliminary budget at $7 to $14 per square foot would be about $10,500 to $28,000, before excluded repairs or upgrades.
Is vinyl shake siding cheaper than real cedar?
Vinyl shake is often less expensive to install and generally needs less finish maintenance than natural cedar. The final comparison depends on local prices, the selected products, and long-term maintenance expectations.
Can vinyl shake siding be installed over old siding?
Sometimes, but only if the existing surface is sound, sufficiently flat, and suitable under local requirements and manufacturer instructions. Removing old siding may be necessary to inspect and repair the wall and install proper moisture-control details.
Does vinyl cedar shake siding increase home value?
New siding can improve a home’s appearance and address worn exterior finishes, but resale value varies by market, project quality, and buyer preferences. No specific return is guaranteed; careful installation and complete documentation support the project’s value.
Sources and Further Information
For product-specific installation and maintenance requirements, homeowners can consult the chosen manufacturer’s technical documents and warranty. Local building departments can explain permit requirements. The U.S. Department of Energy’s guidance on air sealing and insulation can help clarify how siding relates to, but does not replace, broader home-efficiency improvements.