Cedar vinyl siding has an authentic wood appearance, but has all the benefits offered by imitation polyvinyl paneling. As a matter of fact, the leading brands feature products that are molded from actual cedar planks, so at a distance the two are basically identical.

This removes all the negative aspects of wood, such as the high maintenance required, while providing you with the pleasing aesthetics of natural lumber. There are a wide variety of companies that are now offering this product, and it is offered in just as many colors. The following will help you to determine if cedar vinyl siding is the right choice for your home.

Wood Siding Benefits

First of all, you may be considering whether or not you should simply purchase authentic wood paneling for the exterior of your home. After all, it looks great and you won’t have the stigma of having false siding on your home. However, once you consider the high cost and maintenance of authentic wood you may change your mind. You will have to go through the bother of having it repainted once every few years and it is more susceptible to warping, splitting, cupping, twisting, and not to mention rot and termites. You will also have to take special care to keep it insulated from water as best you can.

Cedar Vinyl Siding Benefits

Even though most people agree that wood siding looks nicer, there are a lot of negative aspects to take into consideration. Cedar vinyl siding is the perfect compromise because it provides you with the same look of natural wood, but at better convenience and affordability. You will not have to worry about cracking or warping, and to keep it clean you simply have to spray it down with the garden hose every so often. It is more durable and as such it will last for a much longer period of time.

Siding Prices

It goes without saying that price is going to be a determining factor in your decision as well. While not all vinyl siding is inexpensive, it will generally cost you less in the long run and you won’t have to worry about maintenance costs either. In fact, each type of siding carries a different price tag. In general you can expect to pay $4.95 per square foot which is the industry average for economy vinyl siding. Wood siding on the other hand will cost you around $8.50 – $9.50 per square foot for the equivalent cedar shakes, and cedar clapboard with cost you $6.70 – $8.20 per square foot. Bear in mind that there are other additional costs for both vinyl siding and wood siding that need to be considered. So as you can see, regardless of the brand you choose you will be saving money when compared to the other options out there.

Siding Price Guide
Below is a guide for vinyl siding and wood siding prices. This will give you a good indication of the different prices as mentioned above, and should serve as a guideline for vinyl and wood siding costs. Included is the other costs that need to be taken into consideration.

Vinyl Siding

	Very Low Prices	Lower Range Prices	Industry Average Prices	Higher Range Prices	Very High Prices
Economy Vinyl Siding W/O Soffits	<$3.25	$3.25-$4.94	$4.95	$4.96-$7.34	$7.35+
High quality Vinyl Siding W/O Soffits	<$3.55	$3.56-$5.34	$5.35	$5.36-$7.84	$7.85+
Fiber Cement Siding W/Painting	<$4.30	$4.31-$6.05	$6.06	$6.07-$8.24	$8.25+
Cedar Siding Price W/Painting	<$4.85	$4.31-$6.89	$6.90	$6.91-$9.89	$9.90+

Additional Vinyl Siding Costs

Vinyl Siding Pieces	Cost
J – Channels	$3.50
Starter Strips/Pieces	$2.50
Inside Corner	$5.50
Outside Corner	$10.80
Finish Strips/Pieces	$3.15
Shutters	$40.00
Vinyl Fascia	$1.50 – $3.20 lin.ft.
Vinyl Soffits	$1.50 – $3.20 lin.ft.
Decorative Trim/Wall Mountings	$5.85+ lin.ft.
Vinyl Shakes	$1.50 – $3.25 sq.ft.
Galvanized Nails	$30.00
Removal of Old Siding	$1000
Builders Permit	$150.00

WoodSiding Prices

Wood Siding	Costs	Sq.Ft.
Yellow Pine	$6200 – $7200	1000
Spruce	$6200 – $7200	1000
Fir Clapboard	$6200 – $7200	1000
Cedar Clapboard	$6700 – $7200	1000
Cedar Shakes	$8500 – $9600	1000
Yellow Pine	$14000 – $16500	3000
Spruce	$14000 – $16500	3000
Fir Clapboard	$14000 – $16500	3000
Cedar Clapboard	$14700 – $16700	3000
Cedar Shakes	$17500 – $24000	3000
Engineered Wood Siding	$3000 – $5500	1000
Engineered Wood Siding	$7500 – $10000	3000

Additional Wood Siding Prices

Item	Price
Non painted wood fascia board	$2.50 – $3.80 lin.ft.
Non insulated hardboard siding	$3.50 – $7.50 sq.ft.
Wood siding/paint grade	$2.00 – $5.00 sq.ft.
Wood siding/clear cedar	$3.90 – $7.90 sq.ft.

Although there are many benefits offered by cedar vinyl siding, such as those listed above, the only one who can truly determine whether or not this is the right option for home, is yourself. Be sure to continue your research and look at all of your available options before you make your decision, it is also wise to get numerous quotes from manufacturers and siding contractors, and that way you can see which will offer the best deal for you.

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