How Much Does Aluminum Siding Cost? (Is It Worth It?)

Kenneth Wilson

Aluminum siding costs vary widely (like all home improvements). An honest rule of thumb is to estimate about $4 to $8 per sq ft for siding installation, with another $2 to $3 for teardown and removal of old siding. Suppose you have 2,000 sq. ft. of exterior wall and don’t need to remove old Aluminum siding; you’re looking at roughly $8,000 to $15,000. If you’re removing old siding, the price goes up to the $13,000 to $21,000 range.

Factors that will have an impact on the ultimate pricing include:


  • The type of siding: Aluminum siding comes in several gauges (thicknesses), colors, styles, and sizes. Thicker siding is pricier than thinner, color-coated is costlier than raw, and other factors like style may affect the worth. However, in some cases, the costlier aluminum siding could also be less expensive overall. As a case study, buying weightier aluminum will increase the upfront cost, but can also increase the lifespan of your siding and preserve the looks of your house, making it more cost-effective over the end of the day. Bear in mind that sidings that are colored could also be a bit more costly than plain aluminum siding, but it'll seem less expensive once you think about the value of a paint job.
  • Your location: Several regions have different prices with different suppliers. Contractor rates also vary by region.
  • Retail vs. wholesale: Buying in bulk saves money. knowledgeable contractor can pay less per panel for the staple, and give those savings to you.
  • Professional work: Sometimes, slapping new siding over the old layer is often economical. Once a previous siding has been installed properly and remains in fine condition with no insect damage, rot, or other issues, you'll be ready to decrease costs by installing a new siding. Not only will this save costs by cutting the time required, but also by eliminating the disposal costs of getting obviate the old siding. Whether this is often an honest solution depends on the siding condition, materials, and other factors.
  • Extras: once you consider siding, you almost certainly picture the slats hanging on your walls, but there are other forms of siding. There is the availability of siding under your roof’s overhang (soffit), and therefore the vertical trim directly above those horizontal slats (fascia). There also are various options for molding to stress the roofline and other architectural features of your house. Your home’s geometry and therefore the options you select to spotlight it can affect the value of siding.
  • Job size: The bigger your house, the more siding will cost in total. However, it's going to be less costly per foot for a much bigger job.

Aluminum siding may be a great option if you would like your home to have a fresh look. It can also be long-lasting protection from the weather. Aluminum siding usually comes in several colors and may convincingly replace wood siding. Aluminum siding produced nowadays is impervious to insects, dent-resistant, and fire-proof.

Actually, if you reside in a neighborhood that's susceptible to wildfires, installing aluminum siding may assist you to get a reduction on your homeowner's insurance premiums. Aluminum siding does not need maintenance. With proper care, it can last up to 40 years. Aluminum siding cost is undoubtedly the second most affordable siding.

Aluminum siding is widely used in place of vinyl and wood siding. Compared to wood siding, aluminum is insect-proof and waterproof. It lasts long in colder weather conditions, whereas vinyl will often crack when temperatures are low. Even better, the metal siding is a superb insulator, helping homeowners save on cooling and heating costs. Total project costs may vary counting on many factors, including your home’s size, the siding’s quality, and architectural features.

In this crowded field, aluminum siding is nothing new. It has actually been used as an economical home siding option since the 1940s. The very fact that it's still around should tell you how good an exterior siding solution it is. If you’re brooding about upgrading your siding, here’s the way to calculate the value of aluminum siding, and what you would like to understand about siding installation and maintenance.

Pros of Aluminum Siding 


In addition to the advantages mentioned above, aluminum siding is also very lightweight, making for a fast and low-cost installation. The color of your siding is additionally baked-on, meaning it won’t need frequent repainting like with wood siding installation. Also, if you’re planning to scale back your environmental impact, most aluminum siding contains recycled content of up to 30%. According to perspective, covering a typical 2,000 sq ft range in wood siding would take the equivalent of 40 to 50 trees or one acre. For comparison, salvaging the mental from six scrapped car is the equivalent of using Aluminum siding to cover the same side home.

When comparing different siding materials the first factors to think about are:

  • Lifespan: The lifespan of aluminum generally lasts for about 30 years compared to 50 years for vinyl. Also, brick, fiber cement, and stucco can last up to 100 years.
  • Durability and strength: Vinyl is susceptible to cracking from extended exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures. All kinds of metal are tougher and dents are easily repaired.
  • Insulation: Compared to plastic, cement, and plaster, metal may be a poor insulator. this will contribute to your home being less energy efficient.
  • Color: Paint bonds to metal, but not vinyl. It fades with age if unpainted. Vinyl doesn't fade and maintains its color at all times.
  • Cost: The price difference between aluminum and vinyl siding is extremely minimal when buying low to middle-grade options. High-quality vinyl is often thirty percent more expensive than aluminum options.

Cons of Aluminum Siding


Most of the aluminum siding produced nowadays are relatively more dent resistant, dents can still give problems depending on the location of your home. If you reside in a neighborhood that's susceptible to storms, especially hail, denting can still be a drag. That said, severely dented panels are often easily replaced. Scratching can be a thing of concern, but can also be covered easily with quality paint.

Below are some other cons of aluminum siding.

  • It makes a loud dinging sound when it expands in hot temperatures or when rattled
  • Colors fade over time
  • Dents and scratches easily
  • Repairing aluminum siding is often difficult. Because the prevailing siding's color fades over time, it is often challenging to color-match a replacement piece.
  • Oxidation makes aluminum form a chalky buildup on its surface.

Vinyl vAluminum Siding


For new residential structures, vinyl siding tends to be the first choice.  They are always regarded as a more durable option compared to aluminum siding. It holds up to the weather tons better and it’s unlikely to become scratched or dented.

During a bad windstorm or any other kind of property damage, vinyl siding tends to be easier to repair. Additionally, with newer vinyl siding, you're not getting to need to repaint it, and since of how modern vinyl siding is formed, you don't need to worry about the color fading. Typically, the sole maintenance that vinyl siding needs may be a cleaning every now then. Outside of that, once it's on your house, you'll ditch it.

Vinyl also doesn’t take in heat like aluminum siding, which could make it a far better choice for a home that’s during a more extreme climate.

Aluminum Siding Installation


The Installation comes in several panel sizes for both vertical and horizontal installation Generally, aluminum siding is packaged with all the pieces and parts required for a smooth installation making it a simple task. While you'll use a typical hammer to put in your aluminum siding, only use aluminum nails. The nails should have 1/8-inch shanks, heads a minimum of 5/16 inch in diameter, and be ready to penetrate backing by a minimum of 3/4 inch.

If you don’t want your siding to look bumpy and also make sure that your siding provides your home with the simplest protection against the weather, you’ll have to create a smooth surface for connecting the panels to connect your siding. For aluminum siding, 3/8 inch foam board insulation may be a reliable backing option.

If you're applying your siding over existing siding you'll have to nail down any loose boards and replace any rotten ones to stop the rot from spreading into your home. Remove loose caulk and re-caulk around windows and doors to stop moisture penetration. You’ll also have to remove gutters, downspouts, and lightweight fixtures. Finally, seal all cracks in order to make the house airtight. This will help keep your energy bills lows.

If you don’t have good experience installing home siding, we highly suggest finding a reliable home siding installer near you so as to make sure you're getting all of the advantages of the latest siding and won't need to repair or replace it later down the road thanks to improper installation. Ask a Modernize contractor today and compare quotes from up to four local installers.

Maintenance Tips for Aluminum Siding


While aluminum siding can last up to 40 years, it won’t maintain its great looks without regular home siding maintenance. It's going to be helpful to consider caring for your siding in the same manner that you simply would look after your car. This is because they're both smooth metal surfaces that require to be covered with paint, cleaned, and polished regularly to take care of their sheen.

Tips to maintaining your Aluminum siding:

  • Pressure wash once or twice a year to eliminate the faded or chalky look of oxidized paint and to stop dirt, dust, or mold from accumulating.
  • Fill the plastic dip tube of the pressure washer with detergent and your siding will remain bright and glossy for years.
  • Use bleach and a soft-bristle cleaning coat any spots where mildew has accumulated. For a more eco-friendly choice to bleach, try vinegar or borax. You'll want to thoroughly rinse your siding before and after using any cleaning solution to stop marks from where the answer dries.
  • Aluminum siding is susceptible to scratching, so take care never to scrape it. If you would like to sand it, use 400-600 grit sandpaper.
  • For a fast color touchup and repair, use color-matched paint.
  • If your siding is bare (no colored enamel baked on), use flowers of zinc primer to stay your siding wealthy.
  • If the necessity arises to patch an aluminum surface, use a filler that's specifically made for metal, like Bondo for cars.

Giving Your Home a New Look


Your siding isn't just for protection. It is an investment in its character, curb appeal, and value. If you become uninterested in it anytime in the future, you'll change your siding. But with the sturdiness of recent siding, that’s an upscale project you'll avoid by picking out a method you won’t get tired of.

Generally, aluminum sidings are affordable, durable, and also ready to take new paint with ease. This makes it an incredible choice for a home that will look good, year after year.. unsure what to pick? We feature a fantastic selection of top-quality siding, affordable pricing, and therefore the expertise required. Whether you recognize exactly what you would like, or you're trying to find a partner to assist you to choose out and install the proper materials for your exterior, contact us today.

Conclusion


If you have been considering using an alternative to wood or cracking vinyl, aluminum siding is a superb alternative. Aluminum is waterproof, insect-resistant, and won’t crack or break (though it's vulnerable to denting and scratches). (Related: 50 Beautiful Fencing Design Inspirations To Increase Privacy And Curb Appeal)

Aluminum siding is one of the less expensive materials on the market ($2 to $7 per square foot) and you'll expect it to last a minimum of 40 years. due to the lightweight panels, aluminum siding installation is comparatively simple. Replacing your home siding can yield a 77% rate of return on your investment.

Kenneth Wilson
September 13, 2021
Cost Guides, Exterior

Kenneth Wilson

Retired contractor. Currently residing in Southwest Florida. Now in semi-retirement, I write and manage this blog focused on helping home owners make savvy decisions when it comes to finding contractors and getting their projects done. I also operate remodeling design service for homeowners.

Ask The Author Your Question In The Comments!


{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

More From This Author


9 of the Best Ring Security Cameras: Home Security 101
Where You Should Place Security Cameras Around Your Home: Best Locations
How Long Do SimpliSafe Camera Batteries Last?
SimpliSafe vs. Ring: Which Home Security System is Best Suited for Your Needs?
The Best Plug-in Outdoor Security Lights to Keep Your Home Safe
Everything You Need to Know About Residential Laser Grid Security Systems
>