Thinking about replacing the siding on your Vancouver WA home? The first question is always the same: what's it actually going to cost? Most homeowners in the Vancouver/Portland metro spend somewhere between $10,000 and $32,000 on a full siding replacement, with the final number depending on the material you pick, how big and tall your home is, and what's hiding underneath the old siding.
This guide breaks down real 2026 pricing for the four siding types we install most often in the Pacific Northwest, what actually drives the cost up or down, and where it makes sense to spend more (and where you can comfortably save).
Siding Replacement Cost by Material (2026)
The pricing below assumes a typical 2,000 sq ft single-family home with around 1,800 sq ft of siding surface, standard one or two-story height, and includes tear-off, house wrap, installation, basic trim, and cleanup.
Vinyl Siding: $8,000–$18,000
Vinyl is the budget-friendly choice and still the most installed siding in America. It's lightweight, low-maintenance, never needs paint, and goes up fast.
- Material cost: $3–$7 per sq ft installed
- Lifespan: 25–40 years
- Best for: Rentals, starter homes, budget-conscious upgrades, neighborhoods where vinyl is the norm
- Watch outs: Lower-end vinyl can fade, warp in direct sun, and crack in cold snaps. Spend a little more on insulated or premium vinyl for better results.
LP SmartSide (Engineered Wood): $12,000–$24,000
LP SmartSide has become one of the most popular siding choices in Vancouver WA and Portland OR because it gives you the warm look of real wood with much better durability. It's engineered wood treated to resist moisture, rot, and termites.
- Material cost: $6–$12 per sq ft installed
- Lifespan: 30–50 years
- Best for: Homeowners who want a real-wood look without cedar prices, mid-range budgets, modern farmhouse and craftsman styles
- Bonus: Comes pre-primed and pre-finished options are available, which holds up well in our wet PNW climate.
Fiber Cement / James Hardie: $15,000–$32,000
If you want the longest-lasting, most durable siding available, fiber cement is the answer. James Hardie is the dominant brand and is what most premium homes in the Vancouver/Portland metro are clad in. It's rot-proof, fire-resistant, pest-proof, and color-locked at the factory.
- Material cost: $8–$15 per sq ft installed
- Lifespan: 50+ years
- Best for: Long-term homeowners, higher-value homes, anyone wanting a one-and-done siding solution
- Watch outs: Heavier and harder to cut, so installation labor runs higher. Worth every dollar for a forever home.
Cedar Siding: $20,000–$45,000+
Real cedar is the premium look — natural, warm, and unmistakable. It's also the highest-maintenance option on this list, which is why we usually recommend it as an accent wall instead of full-house cladding for most clients.
- Material cost: $10–$22 per sq ft installed
- Lifespan: 30–40 years with proper maintenance
- Best for: Custom homes, accent walls, lake or mountain properties, owners who love the natural wood look and don't mind upkeep
- Watch outs: Needs to be re-stained or re-sealed every 3–7 years in the PNW. If neglected, cedar can gray, crack, and rot faster than expected.
What Actually Drives Your Siding Cost
Square Footage and Wall Surface Area
This is the biggest single factor. A 1,200 sq ft rambler is going to cost a lot less than a 3,500 sq ft two-story. We measure actual wall surface area (not floor area), so homes with tall gables, complex rooflines, or two stories cost more than the floor plan suggests.
Tear-Off and Disposal
Removing the old siding is real work and real cost. Expect $1–$3 per sq ft on top of the new install for tear-off and dump fees. Older homes sometimes have multiple siding layers, which makes tear-off slower.
Sheathing and Wrap
Once the old siding is off, we check the OSB or plywood sheathing underneath. If we find rot, water damage, or pest issues — especially common around windows, doors, and ground level in the PNW — that's a repair line item. New house wrap (Tyvek or similar) is standard on every job.
Trim, Soffits, and Fascia
Trim work around windows, doors, corners, eaves, and soffits is where a siding job goes from "okay" to actually looking good. Higher-end trim packages are an extra $1,500–$5,000 but make a huge visual difference.
Story Count and Height
Anything above the first story means scaffolding or lifts, which adds labor time and cost. A two-story home isn't double a one-story job, but expect 30–50% more.
Color Matching, Painting, and Pre-Finishing
Pre-finished fiber cement and engineered wood cost more upfront but save you from a separate paint job. Field-painting siding typically adds $5,000–$20,000+ to the total depending on the size of the home, story count, prep work, and how many colors you want. Multi-color schemes with accent trim and gable detail land at the top of that range.
Vancouver WA & PNW-Specific Cost Factors
Permits and Inspections
A like-for-like siding replacement in Vancouver WA usually doesn't require a building permit. If we're doing structural repairs, replacing windows at the same time, or changing the weather barrier, a permit is needed. We handle all of that for you and bake it into the estimate.
Moisture, Rot, and Drainage
Our climate is the #1 reason siding fails early in the Vancouver/Portland area. Rain-screen installation (a small gap behind the siding for airflow and drainage) is one of the best investments you can make, especially with fiber cement and cedar. It adds a small amount per square foot and dramatically extends siding life.
Insulation Upgrades
Re-siding is the perfect time to add exterior rigid foam insulation to the walls. It's an extra $2–$4 per sq ft but lowers your heating bills for the next 30+ years. For older homes in Vancouver, Camas, or Battle Ground with poor wall insulation, this can be a game-changer.
Labor Rates
Skilled siding labor in the Vancouver/Portland metro is competitive. Beware of bids that come in dramatically below the rest — they almost always mean shortcuts on flashing, wrap, or fastening, and those shortcuts show up as rot and warranty calls in 3–5 years.
How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners
Smart savings tip: Bundle siding with new windows or trim. Doing them at the same time saves on labor, scaffolding, and avoids tearing into the same wall twice.
1. Choose LP SmartSide Over Cedar
You get 90% of the warm wood look, with much better moisture and pest resistance, for roughly half the cost of real cedar. For most Vancouver/Portland homeowners, this is the sweet spot.
2. Use Cedar as an Accent
Instead of full-house cedar, do a single accent wall or gable end in cedar and pair it with vinyl, LP SmartSide, or fiber cement everywhere else. You get the high-end look without the high-end price tag.
3. Pick Pre-Finished Over Field-Painted
Pre-finished fiber cement (factory-painted Hardie) costs more per square foot but skips the entire painting line item. Long-term it's cheaper and the finish lasts longer.
4. Don't Skip Tear-Off
Some contractors will offer to install new siding directly over the old to save money. In the PNW, this is almost always a mistake. You trap moisture, lose your chance to inspect sheathing, and void most warranties. Always tear off and start fresh.
When Should You Invest More?
Invest More In:
- Material quality: The difference between bottom-tier and mid-tier siding is the biggest single upgrade you can make.
- Flashing and house wrap: The hidden details that decide whether your siding lasts 10 years or 40.
- Trim and corner detail: The single biggest visual upgrade. A clean trim package transforms how your house looks from the street.
- Rain screen and exterior insulation: Worth it on almost every PNW home, especially if you're staying long-term.
You Can Save On:
- Field painting: Pre-finished options are usually a better long-term value.
- Decorative shake or shingle accents: A small accent goes a long way; you don't need it everywhere.
- Premium vinyl tiers: If you're going vinyl anyway, mid-grade is plenty for most homes.
Getting an Accurate Siding Replacement Cost for Your Home
Every home is different. An older 1950s rambler in Hazel Dell will have very different needs than a two-story craftsman in Camas or a newer build in Ridgefield. The only way to know your real cost is to walk the home in person, measure actual wall surface area, and check what's underneath the existing siding.
We offer free, detailed siding estimates across the entire Vancouver WA and Portland OR metro. We'll measure the home, walk through material samples and color options, and give you a clear breakdown — no high-pressure sales, no vague "starting at" pricing.
Our approach: One company manages the whole job — tear-off, sheathing repairs, wrap, install, trim, and final walkthrough. You get a single point of contact and a single warranty, instead of juggling multiple subs.
Ready to Replace Your Siding?
Whether you're looking at a $10,000 vinyl refresh or a $35,000 full James Hardie install, WifPros can help you weigh the options and pick the right material for your home, your climate, and your budget. We've sided homes throughout Vancouver WA, Portland, Camas, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Beaverton, and the rest of the metro.
Learn more about our siding services, or jump straight to scheduling your free estimate.