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| Typical costs: | - Having aluminum siding installed is about $2.50 -$3.50 a square foot, or $3,100 -$4,500 for 1,250 exterior square feet. It's less per square foot for larger jobs, averaging about $7,500 -$9,000 for 3,000 square feet.
- To roughly calculate exterior square footage, add together the length of the four sides of the house then multiply by the height of the walls. A home 10' tall, 38' long and 25' wide has 950 square feet [38x25=950] of interior floor space but 1,260 square feet [(38+38+25+25)x10=1,60] of exterior wall space. To cut costs, some homeowners have siding installed on the front and sides of a house but not the back wall because it isn't visible from the street.
- If existing siding must be removed and disposed of, that can add another $1 -$2 a square foot, adding $1,250 -$2,500 for 1,250 square feet and $3,000 -$6,000 for 3,000 square feet.
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| What should be included: | - Aluminum siding is a relatively low cost, easily installed and almost maintenance-free way to protect and decorate a home's exterior. When properly installed, it's fireproof and impervious to termites, and can last 35-40 years or more. However, the painted metal does have a tendency to fade, dent or develop a "chalky" appearance over time, and in some climates it can corrode.
- Manufactured in a range of colors and textures, aluminum siding is made in both horizontal and vertical panels. Typically it comes in long planks that easily fit together. To maintain aluminum siding, hose it off once a year and clean any surface stains with a non-abrasive cleaner. It should be repainted about every 20-30 years, with the type of paint specifically recommended by the manufacturer. HomeTips.com gives step-by-step installation instructions and the Paint Quality Institute gives tips for painting old aluminum siding.
- Check with the local planning department to see if there are any local regulations governing types of siding, especially if the neighborhood is in a historic district or overseen by a homeowners association..
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| Additional costs: | - There may be additional carpentry or other costs if a home's exterior walls have been damaged by water or weather and need repairing before new siding can be added.
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| Discounts: | - Find nearby neighbors who also want aluminum siding installed; it's possible to negotiate a reduced price for multiple projects in the same area.
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| Shopping for aluminum siding: | - Manufacturers include Alcoa, Alsco Metals, Revere, Norandex-Reynolds and Gentek. Contractor referrals are available from the manufacturers. Or, watch for aluminum siding installation projects in your area; after the work is done, knock on the door and ask who the contractor was and how smoothly the project went.
- Get several estimates, making sure what is (and isn't) included in each quote; understand whether all prep and clean-up work is included. Request and check references. Ask about the contractor's length and type of experience. Be sure the contractor is properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state. Check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
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Article updated July 2007 |
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