Siding Installation Your home’s armor — protecting structure and defining curb appeal for decades.

Cost varies by material, house size, old siding removal complexity, sheathing condition, and trim scope. Vinyl is the most affordable whole-house option. Fiber cement (James Hardie) is premium but lasts 30-50 years. Cedar is premium for historic homes. Two-story homes cost more than ranch due to wall area and scaffolding. Pre-1978 homes with lead-safe RRP requirements add labor cost. Written estimates after on-site measurement.

Whole-house siding replacement: 2-4 weeks for average-sized home. Small ranch: 8-10 days. Large colonial: 3-4 weeks. Partial siding (one or two walls): 3-5 days. Repair patches: 1-2 days. Weather delays can extend timelines — siding can be installed in light rain but not heavy wind or freezing rain.

James Hardie fiber cement is our top recommendation for MA — handles freeze-thaw, won’t rot, won’t burn, won’t attract pests, and the ColorPlus factory finish lasts 15 years before repainting. It’s premium priced but the 30-50 year lifespan makes the per-year cost competitive. For budget projects, insulated vinyl is excellent value. For historic homes, cedar clapboard maintains architectural authenticity.

Sometimes — vinyl siding can be installed over existing wood clapboard if the old siding is flat and in reasonable condition. However, we generally recommend removing old siding first so we can inspect and repair the sheathing underneath, install proper house wrap, and start with a clean flat surface. Installing over existing means hiding any rot or moisture damage until it’s much worse.

House wrap (Tyvek or equivalent) is the actual water barrier of your wall system — siding is the first defense, house wrap is the last. We install house wrap on every full siding job. It goes over sheathing, under siding, with all seams taped and properly lapped. Window and door flashings integrate into the house wrap system. Without proper house wrap, even perfect siding will eventually leak.

Not always, but often yes. Window and door trim, corner boards, soffit, and fascia are usually exposed during siding replacement and often show damage that wasn’t visible before. Replacing trim during siding work costs less than doing it separately later. We assess trim condition during the estimate and recommend replacement where needed.

Pre-1978 homes likely have lead paint on original siding. Removing old siding disturbs lead paint and requires EPA RRP lead-safe practices — containment, HEPA vacuums, proper waste bags, specific cleanup procedures. This is federal law (not optional) and MA has additional requirements under 105 CMR 460.000. We’re EPA RRP certified and include lead-safe practices in pre-1978 project scopes.

Yes — re-siding is the perfect time to add exterior rigid foam insulation (typically 1-2″ XPS or polyiso). It goes between house wrap and new siding, dramatically improving wall R-value and eliminating thermal bridging through studs. The cost is relatively small during siding work but would be very expensive as a standalone project. We recommend it for every full re-siding job.

James Hardie ColorPlus factory-painted fiber cement needs repainting approximately every 15-20 years. Between repaints, it’s essentially zero maintenance — just rinse with garden hose annually to remove dirt and pollen. No rotting, no insect damage, no warping. Compare to cedar clapboard which needs paint or stain every 5-7 years, and vinyl which needs no maintenance but can’t be color-changed.

Call (508) 925-0396 or submit the quote form. We schedule a free on-site measurement — walk the property, measure siding area, assess old siding and sheathing condition, discuss material options and colors. Written estimate follows with material specs, timeline, and scope. Most full siding projects book 4-8 weeks out.