By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Metal siding is exterior wall cladding made from aluminum, steel, zinc, or copper, fastened over a home in panels or planks. Installed, it costs $7 to $16 per square foot for steel and $6 to $10 for aluminum per HomeGuide, and $20 to $45 for zinc and $30 to $50 for copper per Fixr’s April 2026 cost guide. Fixr puts steel at 40 to 70 years and aluminum at 40 to 50. The trade-offs are denting on thin gauges, rain noise without insulation backing, and a higher upfront price than vinyl.
What is metal siding?
Metal siding is a non-combustible cladding system that wraps a home’s exterior walls in coated aluminum or steel panels, and in premium cases zinc or copper. It arrives as corrugated sheets, ribbed (PBR or R-panel) panels, board-and-batten profiles, standing seam ($10 to $16 per square foot installed, per Fixr) or interlocking planks that mimic lap siding. HomeGuide notes that steel and aluminum “will not ignite,” though aluminum may warp or buckle in high heat and expose the framing behind it.
The metal itself is thin. HomeGuide says most metal siding is 24 or 26 gauge, while Fixr names 26 and 29 gauge as the two most common for residential steel; the code floor is 29 gauge steel or 0.019 inch aluminum under IRC Table R703.3(1). A factory paint or metallic finish over a Galvalume or galvanized coating does the work of resisting weather and holding color. For the panel profiles, gauges, and fastener systems in depth, see our guide to metal siding panel profiles, gauges, and cost per square foot.
Metal siding types compared: aluminum, steel, zinc, and copper
The four common metals for siding are aluminum, steel, zinc, and copper, and they split sharply on price, denting, and lifespan. Aluminum costs $6 to $10 per square foot installed and does not rust, but HomeGuide notes it is prone to dents and fading. Steel costs $7 to $16, resists impact better and can rust where its coating is breached. Zinc and copper are premium metals that Fixr rates at 80 to 100 years and 100-plus years, at $20 to $50 per square foot installed.
| Metal | Installed (per sq ft) | Lifespan | Key trait | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $6 to $10 (HomeGuide); $3 to $18 (Fixr) | 40 to 50 years | Light, rust-proof, dents and fades more easily | HomeGuide; Fixr |
| Steel, bare Galvalume | $4 to $12 | 40 to 70 years | Metallic finish, agricultural and industrial look | Fixr |
| Steel, painted (SMP or PVDF) | $7 to $16 | 40 to 70 years | Most common residential steel, widest colors | Fixr; HomeGuide |
| Zinc | $20 to $45 (Fixr); $25 to $40 (HomeGuide) | 80 to 100 years | Self-healing patina, architectural | Fixr; HomeGuide |
| Copper | $30 to $50 (Fixr); $30 to $45 (HomeGuide) | 100+ years | Weathers from bright copper to verdigris green | Fixr; HomeGuide |
Historic “tin” siding is a fifth name buyers still see, and HomeGuide lists it at $2 to $5 per square foot installed, but nearly all modern product sold as tin is coated steel. Most residential steel siding has a Galvalume coating under the paint, per HomeGuide, and unpainted galvanized siding is typically used only on commercial and agricultural buildings. We break down the coating choice in our guide to galvanized versus Galvalume coatings and gauge.
How much does metal siding cost?
Metal siding costs $7 to $16 per square foot installed for steel and $6 to $10 for aluminum, per HomeGuide, and Fixr’s April 2026 guide puts most installations at $4 to $16 with a national average project of $17,000. HomeGuide splits the bill as labor at 30% to 60% and materials at 40% to 70%; labor alone runs $3 to $10 per square foot for steel and $3 to $6 for aluminum. Old siding removal adds $0.70 to $2.00 per square foot and new trim $1 to $5 per linear foot.
Metal siding cost per square foot by metal
Installed cost per square foot tracks the panel and fastener system more than the brand. Exposed-fastener corrugated and ribbed panels are cheapest to buy and hang. HomeGuide says concealed-fastener panels cost 35% to 45% more than exposed-fastener panels in material and 40% to 50% more in labor, because installation is slower and trim is more detailed.
| Panel style | Installed cost (per sq ft) | Fastener type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated aluminum | $4 to $7 | Exposed | HomeGuide |
| Aluminum smooth boards | $6 to $10 | Varies by maker | HomeGuide |
| Corrugated or ribbed (PBR / R-panel) steel | $7 to $12 | Exposed | Fixr; HomeGuide |
| Board-and-batten or wood-grain steel | $9 to $14 | Concealed | Fixr |
| Standing seam / concealed-fastener steel | $10 to $16 | Concealed | Fixr; HomeGuide |
Total metal siding cost by house size
Siding is priced by exterior wall area, not floor area, and Fixr estimates about 1,200 square feet of wall on a 1,000 square foot home and about 2,400 on a 2,500 square foot home. The worked example multiplies Fixr’s wall-area estimates by HomeGuide’s installed rates (steel $7 to $16, aluminum $6 to $10 per square foot). Measure your own walls before you rely on it, since window count, gables and stories move the area.
| Living area | Est. wall area (Fixr) | Aluminum total ($6 to $10) | Steel total ($7 to $16) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | ~1,200 sq ft | $7,200 to $12,000 | $8,400 to $19,200 |
| 1,500 sq ft | ~1,600 sq ft | $9,600 to $16,000 | $11,200 to $25,600 |
| 2,000 sq ft | ~2,000 sq ft | $12,000 to $20,000 | $14,000 to $32,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | ~2,400 sq ft | $14,400 to $24,000 | $16,800 to $38,400 |
Coil steel and aluminum prices move with the broader metals market, so quotes shift year to year. We track raw-material movement in our roofing material price index, which follows the same BLS producer price data that drives metal cladding costs. Ask each of three bidders to itemize removal ($0.70 to $2.00 per sq ft), trim ($1 to $5 per linear foot) and any insulated backer ($1 to $2 per sq ft extra, per HomeGuide) so the bids compare line for line.
Which metal siding fits your house?
| If your house | Choose | Threshold and source |
|---|---|---|
| Sits near salt water | Aluminum | Naturally rust-proof, “ideal for coastal climates” (Fixr); steel rusts where its coating is scratched through |
| Sees hail or high wind | 26 gauge steel over 29 gauge | 26 ga resists hail, wind and oil-canning better and costs about 20% to 25% more (Fixr) |
| Needs color to hold 30+ years | PVDF (Kynar 500) paint | PVDF warranties typically 30 to 40 years (Fixr); costs 15% to 40% more than SMP (HomeGuide); Kynar 500 finishes need at least 70% PVDF resin (Arkema) |
| Should show no screws | Board-and-batten or standing seam | $9 to $16 installed; concealed fastener adds 35% to 45% in material (Fixr; HomeGuide) |
| Is in a wildfire area | Steel | Steel and aluminum will not ignite, but aluminum can warp or buckle in high heat (HomeGuide) |
| Has a budget under $6 per sq ft installed | Corrugated aluminum, or vinyl | Corrugated aluminum $4 to $7 (HomeGuide); vinyl $3 to $12 (Fixr) |
| Must pass the residential code | Steel 29 ga or heavier; aluminum 0.019 in or heavier | IRC Table R703.3(1); aluminum nails required on aluminum siding |
Metal siding pros and cons
Metal siding trades a higher upfront cost and weaker insulation for a long, low-maintenance, non-combustible service life. Fixr rates steel at 40 to 70 years against 20 to 40 for vinyl, and HomeGuide says metal lasts up to four times longer than vinyl. Against that, Fixr lists denting on lower gauges and rain noise without insulation backing as the main drawbacks.
Pros:
- Lasts 40 to 50 years for aluminum, 40 to 70 for steel, 80 to 100 for zinc and 100-plus for copper (Fixr), well beyond vinyl’s 20 to 40.
- Non-combustible: steel and aluminum will not ignite (HomeGuide), which matters in wildfire-prone areas.
- Immune to termites, carpenter ants, and rot, and it will not absorb moisture.
- Low maintenance: Fixr’s routine is an annual rinse, scratch touch-up on exposed steel and a caulk check around trim every few years.
- 100% recyclable, and Fixr reports most panels contain at least 70% recycled content.
- Steel resists high wind and hail better than vinyl, especially at 26 gauge.
Cons:
- Metal conducts heat, so bare panels insulate poorly. Insulated panels cost $1 to $2 per square foot more, or separate insulation $1.00 to $4.50 (HomeGuide).
- Rain and hail hit metal louder than they hit vinyl or fiber cement unless the wall has insulation backing.
- Aluminum dents from hail, ladders, or a stray baseball, and 29 gauge steel dents more easily than 26 gauge.
- Steel can rust where the finish is scratched to bare metal, a bigger risk near salt water.
- Zinc ($20 to $45) and copper ($30 to $50) cost about 2.8 and 3.5 times painted steel ($7 to $16) at range midpoints, per Fixr.
- Flat panels can show oil-canning, a visible waviness, which heavier 26 gauge resists better than 29 (Fixr).
Metal siding vs vinyl, fiber cement, and wood
Against the main alternatives, metal siding wins on lifespan and fire resistance and loses on upfront cost and insulation. Fixr’s April 2026 comparison puts vinyl at $3 to $12 per square foot and 20 to 40 years, fiber cement at $5 to $14 and 25 to 50 years, and steel at $4 to $16 and 40 to 70 years. Fiber cement matches metal on fire but needs repainting; wood and engineered wood are combustible.
| Siding | Installed (per sq ft) | Lifespan | Fire behavior | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (metal) | $4 to $16 | 40 to 70 years | Non-combustible | Fixr; HomeGuide |
| Aluminum (metal) | $3 to $18 | 40 to 50 years | Non-combustible; can warp in high heat | Fixr; HomeGuide |
| Vinyl | $3 to $12 | 20 to 40 years | Combustible, melts | Fixr |
| Fiber cement | $5 to $14 | 25 to 50 years | Non-combustible | Fixr |
| Engineered wood | $4 to $9 | 20 to 40 years | Combustible | Fixr |
| Cedar shake | $7 to $16 | Not listed | Combustible | HomeGuide |
| Stucco | $7 to $17 | 50 to 80 years | Non-combustible | Fixr |
| Brick veneer | $12 to $18 | 50 to 100+ years | Non-combustible | Fixr |
Is metal siding right for your house?
Metal siding fits owners who want a non-combustible exterior rated for 40 to 70 years in steel, with an annual rinse as the main upkeep, and who like a modern, farmhouse, or agricultural look. It is a weaker fit where vinyl’s $3 per square foot floor decides the job, in strict historic districts, and for buyers who cannot accept any rain noise or the risk of a dent.
Metal siding fits well when:
- You want a modern, contemporary, farmhouse, or barndominium look, or a bold accent wall.
- You live in a wildfire zone and want cladding that will not ignite.
- Low maintenance and a 40 to 70 year steel lifespan outweigh a higher upfront price.
- Your home faces high wind, where 26 gauge steel holds up better than vinyl or 29 gauge.
Think twice when:
- A homeowners association or historic district restricts materials or profiles.
- Budget is the deciding factor, since vinyl starts at $3 per square foot installed against $6 for aluminum and $7 for painted steel.
- You are in a hail belt and drawn to soft aluminum. Step up to 26 gauge steel instead.
- Noise is a concern and the wall cannot take an insulated backer or rainscreen.
Many homeowners pair metal siding with a matching metal roof for a unified exterior. If that is your plan, weigh the roof options first in our guide to residential metal roofing, where HomeGuide prices a standing seam roof at $9 to $16 per square foot installed, and browse the wider material library on our learn about roofing and exterior materials hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much does metal siding cost for a whole house?
HomeGuide prices steel siding at $14,000 to $32,000 and aluminum at $12,000 to $20,000 for a 2,000 square foot house. Using Fixr’s estimate of about 1,200 square feet of wall on a 1,000 square foot home, steel runs $8,400 to $19,200 and aluminum $7,200 to $12,000. Zinc and copper cost about 2.8 and 3.5 times as much per square foot as painted steel at Fixr’s range midpoints.
What is the cheapest metal siding?
Corrugated aluminum is the cheapest metal siding at $4 to $7 per square foot installed, per HomeGuide, followed by exposed-fastener corrugated or ribbed steel at $7 to $12. Exposed fasteners and simple sheets keep both material and labor low. The look reads industrial or agricultural, which fits farmhouse and modern designs but may clash with an HOA.
Does metal siding rust?
Aluminum, zinc, and copper siding do not rust. Steel siding can rust, but only where its galvanized or Galvalume coating and paint are scratched through to bare metal, and the risk climbs near salt water. Fixr’s maintenance routine is an annual rinse to remove dirt and salt and prompt touch-up of any exposed steel; its 40 to 70 year rating for steel assumes the factory coating stays intact.
Is metal siding better than vinyl?
Metal siding outlasts vinyl, 40 to 70 years for steel against 20 to 40 for vinyl per Fixr, and will not burn or melt. Vinyl starts lower, at $3 per square foot installed against $7 for painted steel. Steel resists wind and hail that can crack or warp vinyl, while vinyl wins on upfront price and quiet.
Does metal siding dent?
Aluminum siding dents fairly easily from hail, ladders, or impact, and 29 gauge steel dents more than 26 gauge. Fixr notes that 26 gauge panels resist hail, wind and oil-canning better for a premium of roughly 20% to 25% over 29 gauge, and HomeGuide prices 24 gauge at 30% to 40% more than 26 gauge.
Does metal siding make a house hotter or noisier?
HomeGuide says properly installed and insulated metal siding will not make a house hotter, and it can reflect solar heat. Bare metal does transmit rain noise and conduct heat more than vinyl or fiber cement, so insulated panels ($1 to $2 per square foot extra) or separate insulation ($1.00 to $4.50) cut both heat transfer and drumming.