Vinyl Shake Siding Cost and Price Guide for 2023

A material that shields homes and apartments from the elements is siding. Panels, shingles, shakes, and other materials are used to cover the outside walls. The connecting parts should completely enclose the dwelling.

Shakes made of vinyl, in particular, are remarkably durable. Vinyl is typically far less expensive than natural materials and is also simple to maintain. Many homeowners favor synthetic materials because termites frequently damage wood shakes and shingles. These shakes are also excellent for areas with extreme weather because they don't need to be painted to upkeep their appearance.

But like everything else on the planet, there is a price tag attached to vinyl cedar shake shingles! In this article, we will dive into the cost of vinyl shake and how it measures up to other types of siding. 

Difference Between Shakes and Shingles

Shakes are frequently mistaken for shingles.

First, the materials used to create these two goods are not usually the same. For shingles, manufacturers frequently utilize a variety of materials, including slate, wood, cement, plastic, metal, etc. This inclusive name refers to all roof coverings with overlapping segments.

Shakes often use a smaller range of materials. Vinyl shakes have recently gained a lot of popularity.

These items are distinctly different from one another because manufacturers create them using various procedures. Shakes are frequently divided into hands for a lot. However, shingles are sawn on both sides and are significantly thinner.

It is important to note that shakes cast a considerably heavier, long shadow. This siding choice has a significantly rougher appearance, making your exterior appear more rugged. Shingles are stacked one on top of the other to give the house a uniform appearance. 

Your preference for shakes or shingles will ultimately depend on your particular tastes. They can offer comparable protection since they can be composed of similar materials. The two are primarily dissimilar in terms of appearance.

Cost of Vinyl Cedar Shake

On average, vinyl shake sidings sell from $4 to $9 per square foot. Remember that both the work and the material are included in this. Most homeowners will only use shakes and shingles to cover a small piece of their house, even though this is typically more expensive than a horizontal lap. Therefore, the whole process may be less costly than installing horizontal laps.

Some homeowners will attempt to cut costs on the job by doing the shake installation themselves. A square foot of shake will cost between $2 and $3 if you only want to purchase materials. 

It should be noted that vinyl shakes cost around four times as much as conventional vinyl panels. The difference is as a result of their robustness and thickness. Therefore, shakes may be a better long-term choice even with the price difference.

Things that will affect the cost of your vinyl cedar siding installation:

Disposal fees: If you already have siding, the installation process will cost a little bit more because the contractor will need to remove and dispose of the old material. 

Additional Materials: In addition to the shakes, which represent the largest material expense, you also need to consider other products like nails, flashing, and furring strips. Combined, these extras will cost you more than $1.50 per square foot.

Specialized Labor: Panels are fairly simple to install, whereas shakes require a little more expertise. If your task is extremely challenging due to the architecture of your home, a contractor could charge you additional expenses in addition to the regular installation price.

Vinyl Cedar Shake vs Cedar Shake

As mentioned above, you can expect to pay between $4 to $9 per square foot for vinyl shake siding — a price that includes labor. Cedar shake shingles run slightly higher with a per square foot cost of between $6 and $10. The price of cedar shake will vary depending on the wood quality and color. 

Also, keep in mind that vinyl cedar shake siding is going to come in the color of your choice, but cedar shake will need to be painted if you want a color other than the natural wood tone. 

Vinyl Cedar Shake vs Composite Cedar Shake

Composite cedar shake is a man-made construction of fibers and binders that are compressed into wood-shaped shingles. It is priced similarly to higher-end vinyl cedar shake but is still cheaper than cedar products. 

You can find lower end composite cedar shake siding for $4 per square foot, but it is most likely to fall between $6.50 and $10 per square foot installed.

Vinyl Cedar Shake vs Fiber Cement Cedar Shake

Fiber cement cedar shake siding is a high-performance material that is extremely durable. It is resistant to warping, pests, and rotting, and it comes in a primed finish in various colors. 

Priced a little higher than vinyl cedar shake, the average cost of fiber cement is $10 per square foot, but the cost will depend on the brand and the quality of the shake. Overall, you can expect a square foot of fiber cement siding to fall anywhere between $5 and $14.

Price Points for Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding

The cost of your vinyl cedar shake siding will depend on your location, the brand of product you choose, and other factors. Here are a few price comparisons to give you a better idea of what vinyls cedar shake siding will cost to install on your home. 

• Home Depot: A square foot of material from Home Depot ranges from $3.37 to $4.32, but this cost does not include and installation fees. 
• Lowes: A square foot of Novik brand vinyl cedar shake siding at Lowe’s runs $3.55 on average. The higher end Georgia-Pacific costs around $7 per square foot.
• CertainTeed: Depending on the features you choose, CertainTeed shake siding will cost you anywhere from $4.50 to $9.00 per square foot.
• Foundry: The cost of Foundry vinyl cedar shake fluctuates slightly depending on where you purchase it from, however, you can expect to pay around $6-$7 per square foot.