SIDING COST ESTIMATOR
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Aluminum Siding Cost Calculator
Aluminum siding will not rot, burn or feed insects, and it never needs painting, which is why it is still a sensible choice on many homes. It does dent, though, and prices vary with the gauge and finish. This aluminum siding cost calculator prices your walls by profile, adds trim, house wrap, tear-off and labor, and gives you Budget, Standard and Premium totals with a full cost breakdown.
- Free Planning Estimate
- No obligation
- 5 aluminum options
Four short steps. Enter your wall area or estimate it from your home size. Choose an aluminum profile, set your labor market, then choose tear-off and add-ons. ZIP code is required so we can match you with local siding contractors. It does not change the estimate. Planning estimate only. Not a quote.
- Wall area / home size — Enter your wall area or estimate it from your home size.
- Aluminum profile — Choose an aluminum profile.
- Labor market — Set your labor market.
- Tear-off and add-ons — Choose tear-off and add-ons. ZIP code is required for matching; it does not change the estimate.
How to read your result
The large number is the Standard estimate: mid-grade panels in your chosen profile with a quality finish, quality trim and an established siding company. Budget assumes thinner gauge panels and independent installer rates, and Premium assumes heavier gauge, a premium finish and upgraded trim. The line-item table shows every quantity and rate. Categories that do not apply are left out.
Planning estimate only. This is an estimated project budget based on typical U.S. planning assumptions, not a quote or a guaranteed price. Actual contractor pricing may vary based on location, conditions, material choice, labor market and project complexity. Hidden conditions such as water-damaged sheathing, rotted framing or old flashing are often found only after the old siding is removed. Always get written quotes from qualified siding contractors.
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What your aluminum siding estimate includes
The calculator splits an aluminum siding bid the way a contractor prices it:
- Materials: aluminum panels with a waste allowance, starter strip, corners, fasteners and flashing tape, trim at each window and door, and optional house wrap or foam board.
- Labor: installation hours for the chosen profile, trim and wrap labor, and a mobilization and cleanup charge.
- Removal and disposal: tear-off and haul-away if old siding is coming off.
- Equipment / scaffolding: scaffolding or lift rental for upper stories.
- Permit / inspection: an optional allowance.
- Repairs and project extras: sheathing repair, soffit and fascia, and lead-safe work practices for older homes.
Does gauge matter?
Yes. Gauge is the panel thickness, and it is the main thing separating a cheap aluminum job from a good one. Thicker panels dent less and stay flatter.
| Gauge | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 0.019 in. | Economy panels |
| 0.024 in. | Standard residential |
| 0.027 in. and heavier | Premium and high-wind |
Gauge names vary between suppliers, so ask for the actual thickness and get the finish warranty in writing.
Image 3 placeholder: Two aluminum panel edges showing different thickness — alt “Thin and thick aluminum siding panels compared”
How much does aluminum siding cost?
In this calculator's planning assumptions, aluminum lap siding on 1,800 sq ft of wall, with tear-off and house wrap, comes to about $19,300 at Standard prices, or about $10.75 per sq ft, within a Budget-to-Premium range of $13,700 to $27,200. Insulated foam-backed aluminum on the same walls comes to about $23,300. These are planning numbers, not quotes. Aluminum generally costs more than vinyl and less than fiber cement or cedar.
Aluminum siding cost by profile
Each option is priced on the same sample job: 1,800 sq ft, one story, simple walls, 12 windows and doors, house wrap, no tear-off and an average U.S. labor market.
| Option | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum lap | $6.71 | $9.56 | $13.51 |
| Aluminum Dutch lap | $6.98 | $9.95 | $14.03 |
| Aluminum vertical panel | $7.60 | $10.74 | $15.23 |
| Insulated aluminum | $8.41 | $11.75 | $16.22 |
| Aluminum soffit & trim package | $7.96 | $11.16 | $15.74 |
Installed price per sq ft of wall. Planning assumptions only.
- Aluminum lap is the most common profile and the calculator's default.
- Dutch lap has a deeper shadow line and is common on mid-century homes.
- Vertical panel suits modern looks and gables, but needs flat walls.
- Insulated aluminum has a foam backing that stiffens the panel and resists dents better.
- Soffit and trim package covers wrapping eaves, fascia and trim in aluminum, which is mostly labor.
Image 2 placeholder: Aluminum lap, Dutch lap and vertical panel samples — alt “Aluminum siding profiles side by side”
The dent problem
Aluminum's main weakness is denting. Hail, a stray baseball, a ladder or a lawnmower stone can leave a permanent mark, because unlike vinyl a dent does not pop back out. Repairing a dent usually means replacing the panel, and matching an older color is often impossible since finishes fade over the years. If dents are a concern, foam-backed insulated panels are noticeably stiffer, and heavier gauges help. Steel is the more dent-resistant metal option, though it can rust if the coating is scratched through.
Image 4 placeholder: Close-up of a dented aluminum panel on a wall — alt “Dent in aluminum siding that cannot be popped out”
Should you repaint aluminum instead of replacing it?
If your existing aluminum siding is sound and only looks chalky or dated, repainting is usually far cheaper than replacing it. Aluminum takes paint well once it is washed and primed properly. Replacement makes more sense when panels are dented across several walls, the siding is loose or damaged, or you want to add insulation or fix the weather barrier behind it. For comparison, the calculator puts a full re-side of 1,800 sq ft of walls at about $19,300 at Standard prices. A quality exterior repaint of the same walls is typically a fraction of that. Get both quotes before you decide.
Image 5 placeholder: Painter spraying aluminum siding after washing and priming — alt “Repainting existing aluminum siding”
Aluminum on older homes
A lot of aluminum siding went up between the 1950s and the 1970s, often over original wood siding. If that describes your house, two things matter. First, the paint under the aluminum may contain lead, so the lead-safe option in Step 4 adds an allowance for containment and cleanup during tear-off. Second, there may be two layers to remove, which takes longer and fills the dumpster faster. The Siding Replacement Cost Calculator prices multi-layer tear-off in more detail. Some owners of mid-century homes keep aluminum on purpose, because the narrow lap profile suits the architecture and replacement vinyl can look wrong. Repainting is often the better route there.
Insulated aluminum and energy savings
Foam-backed aluminum adds a thin layer of insulation behind the panel. The real benefit is a stiffer panel that resists dents and looks flatter on the wall. The energy saving is modest, because the foam is thin and most heat loss happens through the wall cavity, windows and attic. If energy is the goal, insulating the attic and sealing air leaks almost always returns more per dollar than insulated siding. Treat the foam backing as a panel upgrade with a small bonus, not as an insulation project.
Finish and color choices
Aluminum panels come with a baked-on finish, usually in a limited palette of whites, creams, grays and earth tones. The finish is what protects the metal, so ask what the warranty covers and for how long. Chalking, a powdery film that rubs off on your hand, is normal on older finishes and is one of the signs owners use to decide between washing, repainting and replacing.
Labor and installation
The calculator uses about 4 to 4.6 crew hours per 100 sq ft depending on the profile, at $55, $70 or $90 per hour for Budget, Standard and Premium. Aluminum is light, but it must be cut carefully to avoid burrs, and trim pieces are often bent on site with a brake. Complex walls add 15% or 30% to installation time, and a second or third story adds 12% or 25%. A 2,400 sq ft two-story home in aluminum lap comes to about $27,100 at Standard prices, including a scaffolding allowance.
Tear-off, disposal and scrap value
If old siding is coming off, the calculator adds removal hours plus dumpster and disposal fees. On the sample that is about $1,510 for removal and $630 for disposal. Without tear-off, the same job drops to about $17,200. One thing worth asking about: old aluminum siding has scrap metal value. Some contractors credit it, and others keep it as part of their price. Either is normal, but it should be stated in the quote.
Pros and cons of aluminum siding
Pros: will not rot, burn or feed insects, light to handle, recyclable, no painting required, and good in coastal and fire-prone areas.
Cons: dents easily and dents cannot be popped out, finishes can chalk or fade with age, color matching for repairs is difficult, and it can be noisier in rain and hail than thicker materials.
Maintenance
Wash the walls once a year with a soft brush and mild detergent to remove chalking. Touch up scratches with matching paint so bare aluminum does not oxidize. Check caulking around windows and trim.
Budget, Standard and Premium
Budget: thinner gauge panels, basic trim and independent installer rates. Standard: mid-grade panels and finish, quality trim and an established siding company. Premium: heavier gauge, a premium finish and upgraded trim, installed by a premium contractor.
Estimated siding area by home size
| Home living area | 1 story | 2 stories | 3 stories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,180 sq ft | 1,668 sq ft | 2,043 sq ft |
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,445 sq ft | 2,043 sq ft | 2,503 sq ft |
| 2,000 sq ft | 1,668 sq ft | 2,359 sq ft | 2,890 sq ft |
| 2,500 sq ft | 1,865 sq ft | 2,638 sq ft | 3,231 sq ft |
| 3,000 sq ft | 2,043 sq ft | 2,890 sq ft | 3,539 sq ft |
| 3,500 sq ft | 2,207 sq ft | 3,121 sq ft | 3,823 sq ft |
| 4,000 sq ft | 2,359 sq ft | 3,337 sq ft | 4,087 sq ft |
How much does aluminum siding cost? In this calculator's planning assumptions, aluminum lap siding on 1,800 sq ft of wall with tear-off and house wrap is about $19,300 at Standard prices, or about $10.75 per sq ft.
Is aluminum siding cheaper than vinyl? Usually not. Aluminum panels cost more per sq ft than standard vinyl and take a little longer to install.
Can dented aluminum siding be repaired? Usually not. A dent in aluminum does not pop back out, so the panel is normally replaced, and matching a faded color is difficult.
Planning estimate only.
Quick answers about aluminum siding costs
How much does aluminum siding cost installed?
In this calculator's planning assumptions, aluminum lap on 1,800 sq ft with tear-off and house wrap is about $19,300 at Standard prices, within about $13,700 to $27,200, or roughly $10.75 per sq ft.
What gauge of aluminum siding is best?
Most residential jobs use about 0.024 in. Heavier 0.027 in. and foam-backed panels dent less and cost more. Economy 0.019 in. panels dent most easily.
Is aluminum siding better than vinyl?
Aluminum will not melt or warp from heat and is non-combustible, which helps in fire-prone areas. Vinyl is cheaper and does not dent. Aluminum dents permanently, and vinyl can crack in hard freezes.
Should I repaint or replace my aluminum siding?
If panels are sound and only look chalky or dated, repainting is usually much cheaper. Replace when panels are dented across several walls, loose or damaged, or when you want to fix insulation and the weather barrier behind them.
Does old aluminum siding have scrap value?
Yes, aluminum is recyclable and scrap yards buy it. Ask whether your contractor credits the scrap value or keeps it as part of the price.
Does aluminum siding need house wrap?
A weather barrier behind the panels is what keeps water out of the wall. House wrap is checked by default in the calculator.
Does my ZIP code change the estimate?
No. ZIP code is used to match you with local siding contractors. The labor-market selector adjusts labor and other local costs.
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Image 6 placeholder: Contractor bending aluminum trim on a portable brake — alt “Siding contractor bending aluminum trim on site”
Planning estimate only. This is an estimated project budget based on typical U.S. planning assumptions, not a quote or a guaranteed price. Actual contractor pricing may vary based on location, conditions, material choice, labor market and project complexity. Hidden conditions such as water-damaged sheathing, rotted framing or old flashing are often found only after the old siding is removed. Always get written quotes from qualified siding contractors.