Real installed costs for vinyl, fiber cement, HardiePlank, board & batten, and composite PVC siding — from a contractor serving the Greater Philadelphia area.
Siding replacement is one of the highest-ROI exterior improvements a homeowner in PA or NJ can make. New siding dramatically improves curb appeal, weather tightness, and energy efficiency — and the cost varies widely depending on material choice. This guide covers 2026 installed pricing from the Greater Philadelphia area, with honest guidance on what drives the differences.
| Siding Type | Installed Cost (Avg. Home) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl Siding | $6,000 – $12,000 | 20–30 years |
| Premium Insulated Vinyl | $9,000 – $16,000 | 25–35 years |
| Fiber Cement / HardiePlank | $14,000 – $28,000 | 30–50 years |
| Board & Batten (Hardie) | $16,000 – $30,000 | 30–50 years |
| Composite PVC Siding | $12,000 – $22,000 | 30–40 years |
Installed costs for an average home of 1,500–2,500 sq ft of siding surface area, including removal of one existing siding layer. Two-story homes and complex trim details increase labor costs.
Vinyl remains the most common siding replacement material in the Philadelphia suburbs and South Jersey. It requires no painting, is low-maintenance, and has improved significantly in appearance and durability. Entry-level vinyl (0.040″ thickness) is appropriate for rental properties and flips. For primary residences, we recommend 0.044″–0.046″ thickness products from CertainTeed, Mastic (now Ply Gem), or Royal Building Products.
Insulated vinyl — with a rigid foam backer laminated to the panel — adds $3,000–$4,000 to the project cost but meaningfully improves thermal performance and reduces the hollow drumming sound that thinner vinyl produces when struck. It is worth the upgrade on any home where energy efficiency matters.
What vinyl cannot do: it does not add structural value, it can crack in extreme cold, and the color is baked into the surface layer only — deep surface scratches may show the white substrate beneath.
James Hardie’s fiber cement products — HardiePlank lap siding, HardiePanel vertical siding, and HardieShingle — are the dominant choice for mid-range to premium home renovations in our area. Fiber cement is a composite of Portland cement, sand, and cellulose fiber. It does not rot, does not attract insects, and holds paint exceptionally well.
HardiePlank comes pre-primed (HardiePrime) or factory-finished in James Hardie’s ColorPlus line with a 15-year finish warranty. ColorPlus is highly recommended — the factory baked-on finish is superior to field-applied paint and eliminates the need to repaint for 12–15 years.
The higher cost versus vinyl reflects both the material (significantly heavier and more expensive per square) and the specialized installation requirements — fiber cement requires carbide-tipped saw blades, face-nailing technique, and caulking at all butt joints and trim intersections. Do not let a vinyl crew install fiber cement.
Board and batten has become one of the most requested siding styles in the Greater Philadelphia market over the past several years. The vertical panel aesthetic works exceptionally well on Craftsman, farmhouse, and transitional-style homes and adds significant visual height and curb appeal.
Hardie’s HardiePanel vertical siding is the most common product used for board and batten installations in our area, with real wood batten strips or Hardie’s own trim boards. Labor costs run higher than lap siding due to the additional vertical trim pieces, precise layout required, and the number of horizontal cut-in points around windows and doors.
The design impact is substantial. Homes that previously had aging vinyl lap siding are frequently transformed completely with board and batten — and the resale value lift in communities like Blue Bell, Lansdale, Moorestown, and Cherry Hill consistently exceeds the installation cost.
Composite PVC siding products — including Azek Exteriors, Royal Celect, and Versetta Stone — offer the aesthetics of wood or cedar with none of the maintenance. They are 100% cellular PVC, meaning they will never rot, crack, or require painting. Cost falls between vinyl and fiber cement.
The trim options available in PVC are exceptional — matching corner boards, window surrounds, frieze boards, and column wraps all made in the same material — which makes composite PVC popular on homes where architectural detail is important. It is also notably quieter than vinyl in wind and rain events.
Here are the most common indicators that siding replacement is warranted rather than repair:
When both your roof and siding are reaching end of life around the same time — which is common on homes built in the 1980s and 1990s — combining both projects with one contractor can save meaningful money. Labor mobilization, scaffolding for upper stories, dumpster rental, and permit fees are all shared costs. Homeowners who combine projects typically save $1,500–$4,000 compared to scheduling the work separately even 6 months apart.
There is also a design benefit: a combined project allows color coordination between the roof shingle, siding, and trim to be planned holistically rather than retrofitted. Our team regularly helps homeowners choose cohesive exterior packages that look intentional rather than assembled over time.
In 2026, vinyl siding installation in Pennsylvania typically costs $6,000 to $12,000 for an average-sized home. Premium insulated vinyl runs $9,000–$16,000 installed. Costs vary based on story height, trim complexity, and whether existing siding must be removed.
For most PA and NJ homeowners, yes. Fiber cement costs roughly twice as much as vinyl but lasts 30–50 years versus 20–30 for vinyl. It is more impact-resistant, paintable to any color, and significantly increases resale value. In upscale communities like Moorestown, Wayne, or Haddonfield, fiber cement is the standard for mid-range to premium homes.
If both systems are aging, combining the projects typically saves $1,500–$4,000 in scaffolding, mobilization, and labor. A combined project also allows cohesive color coordination across roof, siding, and trim.
Schedule a free, no-obligation roof evaluation. We serve Blue Bell, PA and all surrounding areas across PA, NJ & Delaware.