Every siding product on the market will fail early if the water management behind it is wrong. That said, the material choice does affect cost, maintenance, and how the house looks in twenty years.
Vinyl
$8-$14 per square foot installed. Zero maintenance, huge color range, and insulated versions add real R-value. Downsides: it can look flat up close and it becomes brittle in extreme cold.
Fiber cement
$14-$24 per square foot installed. Excellent durability, holds paint 12-15 years, fire resistant, and it reads as real wood from the street. Heavier and more labor intensive to install.
Cedar
$16-$30 per square foot. Beautiful and appropriate on historic Schenectady homes, but it needs staining or painting every 5-8 years in our climate.
What matters more than material
House wrap laps and taping, kick-out flashing at roof-wall intersections, window head flashing, and a drainage plane that lets incidental water escape. Get those right and any of these products will last.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I side over the existing siding?
- No. Tear-off lets us inspect and repair sheathing and detail flashing properly.
- How long does a siding job take?
- Typically 5-10 working days for an average home.
