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New siding is one of the few exterior projects that changes how a house looks, how it holds up in weather, and what it costs to heat and cool, all at once. It is also a project where quotes can land thousands of dollars apart, and homeowners are left wondering which number is real.
This guide lays out what siding actually costs in New Jersey in 2026, material by material, and what drives the price up or down. WDM installs every material below, so this is not a pitch for one option over another.
A note on the numbers: WDM does not publish fixed price menus, because two houses with the same square footage can be very different jobs once you account for stories, trim, and what is under the old siding. The ranges here are what New Jersey homeowners generally see this year. Your actual number comes from a written proposal after an in-person assessment, and the estimate is free.
MaterialInstalled cost per sq. ft.Typical cost for 2,000 sq. ft. of wallVinyl clapboard or Dutch lap$5 to $10$10,000 to $20,000Vinyl board and batten$7 to $12$14,000 to $24,000Insulated vinyl$8 to $13$16,000 to $26,000Cedar impressions (polymer shake and shingle)$10 to $16$20,000 to $32,000Fiber cement (Hardie board)$10 to $17$20,000 to $34,000Composite siding$9 to $15$18,000 to $30,000
"Square feet of wall" is the exterior wall area, not the floor plan. A typical two-story colonial in Middlesex or Monmouth County has somewhere between 1,800 and 3,000 square feet of siding. A ranch or cape is often less. We measure it during the assessment so the proposal is based on the real number.
Vinyl is still the most popular siding in New Jersey for a reason. It is the lowest cost to install, never needs paint, and modern vinyl from the major manufacturers holds color far better than the product from 20 years ago. Dutch lap adds a shadow line for a bit more character at nearly the same price. Maintenance is a power wash once a year.
Vertical board and batten is the profile we are asked about most right now. It gives a modern farmhouse look, works well as an accent on gables and entries, and is available in insulated versions. It costs a bit more than clapboard because of the extra trim work and the way the panels install.
Insulated vinyl has a rigid foam backing bonded to each panel. It adds an extra thermal layer to the wall, which helps with heating and cooling bills, and it makes the siding stiffer and quieter. It is also more forgiving over walls that are not perfectly flat. For a lot of NJ homes, the $3 to $4 per square foot premium over standard vinyl pays for itself over the life of the siding.
Cedar impressions are molded polymer shingles and shakes that replicate real cedar, in staggered, straight, and half-round profiles. They are a popular accent on gables and dormers and a full-house option on shore and colonial-style homes. They never need staining and will not split or rot. One NJ-specific detail: because polypropylene siding is treated differently under the state construction code, a permit is typically required when it is installed, which WDM handles as part of the job.
Fiber cement is the premium choice for durability. It is resistant to fire, insects, rot, and hail, it holds paint for 15 or more years, and it looks like real wood from the curb. It is also heavy and labor-intensive to cut and install correctly, which is where most of the cost difference comes from. If you plan to be in the house for decades and want the most solid exterior available, this is it.
Composite products sit between vinyl and fiber cement on price and give a wood look with less weight than fiber cement. They are a good middle ground for homeowners who want a real-wood appearance without the maintenance.
Not sure which fits your house? Our answer in the FAQ is the short version: vinyl is great for value, and fiber cement offers superior durability and fire resistance. The assessment is where we figure out which one makes sense for your home and budget.
1. Size and stories. A two-story home costs more per square foot than a ranch because of staging, ladders, and the time it takes to work at height.
2. Tear-off and disposal. Removing old siding is standard on most jobs and is included in a WDM proposal. Two or more layers of old siding adds labor.
3. What is under the old siding. This is the biggest surprise on older homes. Once the old siding comes off, we sometimes find rotted sheathing, especially around windows and at the base of walls. Sheathing repair is priced per sheet, and if we find it, we tell you before we fix it, not after.
4. House wrap and flashing. A proper install includes new house wrap, flashing at every window and door, and kick-out flashing where roofs meet walls. This is where cheap siding jobs cut corners and where moisture gets in years later. It is part of every WDM installation.
5. Trim, soffit, and fascia. Wrapping window and door trim, replacing rotted fascia, and installing new soffit are often done at the same time. They add to the total but are almost always worth doing while the walls are open.
6. Complexity. Lots of windows, bump-outs, gables, and corners mean more cuts and more trim. A simple box costs less per square foot than a house with a dozen roof lines.
7. Accent materials. Mixing cedar impressions on the gables with clapboard on the body is a great look, and it costs more than a single material because of the added trim and transitions.
8. Gutters. If your gutters are old, siding day is the right time to replace them. They come off anyway, and a new seamless 5-inch or 6-inch system goes back on over the finished siding without a second trip.
9. Permits. Fees vary by township and are listed as a line item on your proposal when they apply.
HomeVinylInsulated vinylFiber cementRanch, about 1,500 sq. ft. of wall$8,000 to $15,000$12,000 to $20,000$15,000 to $26,000Two-story colonial, about 2,500 sq. ft.$13,000 to $25,000$20,000 to $33,000$25,000 to $43,000Large colonial or shore home, 3,000+ sq. ft.$15,000 to $30,000+$24,000 to $40,000+$30,000 to $51,000+
These are broad. A real proposal is based on measurements, the materials you choose, and the condition of the walls.
New siding typically returns a large share of its cost at resale, and insulated vinyl or fiber cement can lower energy bills in the meantime. It also protects everything behind it: sheathing, framing, and insulation. Old, cracked, or warped siding lets water into the wall, and that repair is far more expensive than the siding.
If you are unsure whether you need full replacement, the FAQ covers the signs of failure (warping, cracking, bubbling, and mold or rot on exterior walls). WDM can also replace individual damaged panels, though color matching depends on the age of the original siding.
WDM offers several flexible financing plans to make a siding project more manageable. A standard deposit secures your spot on the schedule and orders materials, and the proposal you sign is the price you pay: no bait-and-switch and no scope creep. Details on how we price are on our pricing page.
WDM Contracting is based in Monroe, NJ and installs siding on homes and commercial buildings across New Jersey.
Request your free estimate or call 848-360-6121.