Our original vinyl siding was 40 years old, faded, cracked on the south face, and had gaps at the corners where water was getting behind. Time to replace.
We got quotes for three options on our 1,350 sq ft bungalow (approximately 1,800 sq ft of cladding including soffits and fascia):
Option A: Standard vinyl replacement
- Quote range: $14,500 to $17,200
- 40-year fade warranty from manufacturers like Mitten or Gentek
- Fast install, lowest cost
Option B: Insulated vinyl (R-4)
- Quote range: $18,400 to $22,000
- Added thermal performance, slightly thicker appearance
Option C: James Hardie fibre cement
- Quote range: $26,800 to $34,000
- 30-year warranty, paintable, looks like wood grain
- Higher labour cost due to weight and cutting requirements
We chose insulated vinyl at $19,600 all-in. The gap between insulated vinyl and Hardie was over $8,000 for our house size. We couldn’t justify it — neither product rots, both have long warranties, and we’re not planning to sell in the next decade.
The contractor’s honest take: Hardie is worth it if you want wood aesthetics and plan to custom-paint for resale value. For most practical purposes, premium insulated vinyl performs comparably.
What did others in the GTA go with for siding replacement? Curious whether the Hardie premium felt worth it to anyone.