Vinyl siding or an upgrade?
Most homeowners ask about vinyl first — and vinyl is a good, low-cost, low-upkeep choice. But it is not the only option. If you want a heavier board, the look of painted wood or cedar, or a noncombustible wall, there are step-up materials. Here is how they compare.
Warranty details are the manufacturers' and can change; your written estimate lists the current terms.
- What it is
- PVC, color through the panel
- Manufacturer warranty
- Varies by manufacturer and product line
- Upkeep
- No painting; occasional wash
- Best for
- The lowest-cost, low-upkeep option
- What it is
- Mineral-filled composite core with an acrylic cap; 0.225" lap
- Manufacturer warranty
- Limited lifetime (original owner); 50-year prorated after a sale
- Upkeep
- No painting
- Best for
- A thicker, stiffer board than vinyl without paint
- What it is
- Fiber cement lap siding, noncombustible; HZ5 line for cold climates
- Manufacturer warranty
- 30-year non-prorated, transferable substrate; ColorPlus finish 15 years (paint and labor)
- Upkeep
- Painted product; repaint over its life
- Best for
- The look of painted wood with a noncombustible wall
- What it is
- Vertical fiber cement panels, with battens for board & batten
- Manufacturer warranty
- Same as HardiePlank (30-year substrate; ColorPlus 15-year)
- Upkeep
- Painted product
- Best for
- Board & batten and modern farmhouse looks
- What it is
- Engineered wood treated with the SmartGuard process
- Manufacturer warranty
- 5/50-year prorated limited (labor and material in years 1–5)
- Upkeep
- Painted or prefinished; keep clearances from roof and grade
- Best for
- A wood look that is lighter to handle than fiber cement
- What it is
- Polymer shakes and shingles molded from real cedar
- Manufacturer warranty
- Lifetime limited (CertainTeed)
- Upkeep
- No staining
- Best for
- The cedar-shingle look without restaining
- What it is
- Real wood lap boards
- Manufacturer warranty
- Material-dependent
- Upkeep
- Regular painting
- Best for
- Older and historic houses where real wood matters
- What it is
- Natural cedar
- Manufacturer warranty
- Material-dependent
- Upkeep
- Weathers naturally or is stained
- Best for
- Shingle-style and coastal homes
- What it is
- 5/8" fiber cement panels with a built-in rainscreen
- Manufacturer warranty
- 30-year product; 20-year finish (color fade)
- Upkeep
- Factory coating
- Best for
- Modern exteriors and multi-family buildings
| Material | What it is | Manufacturer warranty | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | PVC, color through the panel | Varies by manufacturer and product line | No painting; occasional wash | The lowest-cost, low-upkeep option |
| Everlast Composite | Mineral-filled composite core with an acrylic cap; 0.225" lap | Limited lifetime (original owner); 50-year prorated after a sale | No painting | A thicker, stiffer board than vinyl without paint |
| James Hardie Plank | Fiber cement lap siding, noncombustible; HZ5 line for cold climates | 30-year non-prorated, transferable substrate; ColorPlus finish 15 years (paint and labor) | Painted product; repaint over its life | The look of painted wood with a noncombustible wall |
| James Hardie Panel | Vertical fiber cement panels, with battens for board & batten | Same as HardiePlank (30-year substrate; ColorPlus 15-year) | Painted product | Board & batten and modern farmhouse looks |
| LP SmartSide | Engineered wood treated with the SmartGuard process | 5/50-year prorated limited (labor and material in years 1–5) | Painted or prefinished; keep clearances from roof and grade | A wood look that is lighter to handle than fiber cement |
| Cedar Impressions | Polymer shakes and shingles molded from real cedar | Lifetime limited (CertainTeed) | No staining | The cedar-shingle look without restaining |
| Wood clapboard | Real wood lap boards | Material-dependent | Regular painting | Older and historic houses where real wood matters |
| Cedar shingles | Natural cedar | Material-dependent | Weathers naturally or is stained | Shingle-style and coastal homes |
| CeraClad | 5/8" fiber cement panels with a built-in rainscreen | 30-year product; 20-year finish (color fade) | Factory coating | Modern exteriors and multi-family buildings |
How to choose
- Lowest cost and upkeep: vinyl.
- Vinyl-like upkeep, more solid board: Everlast composite.
- Painted-wood look, noncombustible: James Hardie Plank, or Hardie Panel for board & batten.
- Wood look, lighter install: LP SmartSide.
- Cedar look: Cedar Impressions (no staining) or real cedar shingles.
- Historic house: wood clapboard — and check with the town if the house is in a local historic district.
For the cost side, see what siding replacement costs in Massachusetts and our Hardie Plank vs vinyl comparison.
Questions we get
Is it worth upgrading from vinyl siding?
It depends on the house and the budget. Vinyl is the lowest-cost option and never needs paint. Upgrades such as fiber cement, composite or engineered wood cost more but give a heavier, more wood-like board, and fiber cement adds a noncombustible wall. In the Cost vs. Value Report 2025 for New England, fiber-cement siding replacement recouped more of its cost at resale than vinyl.
Which upgrade is closest to vinyl in upkeep?
Everlast composite: like vinyl, the color is built in and it does not need painting, but the board is thicker and stiffer. Cedar Impressions is the no-staining option for a shingle look.
Which option looks most like painted wood?
James Hardie fiber cement and LP SmartSide engineered wood. Both are painted products, so they read as painted wood from the street.
Can I get prices for vinyl and an upgrade in one estimate?
Ask for it at the free on-site assessment. Pricing vinyl and an upgrade for the same walls and trim is the only way to compare them like for like.