Metal siding is exterior wall cladding made from aluminum, steel, zinc, or copper, fastened over a home in panels or planks. Installed prices run about $6 to $16 per square foot for aluminum and steel, and $15 to $40 for zinc and copper. It lasts 40 to 60 years or more, resists fire, rot, and insects, and suits modern, farmhouse, and barn-style homes. The trade-offs are denting, rain noise, and lower insulating value than some competing materials.
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 panels, board-and-batten profiles, or interlocking planks that mimic lap siding. Builders use it on modern and contemporary houses, farmhouses, barndominiums, and commercial buildings, and as an accent on gables or entry walls.
The metal itself is thin, usually 22 to 29 gauge steel or a comparable aluminum thickness, and it carries a factory paint or metallic finish that does the real 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 is the budget, rust-proof, dent-prone option. Steel is stronger and holds color longer but can rust if its coating is breached. Zinc and copper are premium metals that last 80 to 100 years and develop a protective patina, at several times the cost.
| Metal | Material cost (per sq ft) | Installed (per sq ft) | Typical lifespan | Key trait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $2 to $6 | $6 to $12 | 40+ years | Light, rust-proof, dents easily, budget pick |
| Steel (galvanized or Galvalume) | $3 to $8 | $7 to $16 | 40 to 60 years | Dent-resistant, holds color, can rust if breached |
| Zinc | $10 to $20 | $15 to $30 | 80 to 100 years | Self-healing patina, premium, architectural |
| Copper | $12 to $25 | $20 to $40 | 60 to 100+ years | Patinas green, luxury, very long life |
Historic “tin” siding is a fifth name buyers still see, but nearly all modern product sold as tin is coated steel. True tin plate is no longer a mainstream cladding. Steel siding usually comes with a galvanized or Galvalume base coat, and the coating choice affects corrosion resistance, which we break down in our guide to galvanized versus Galvalume coatings and gauge.
How much does metal siding cost?
Metal siding costs roughly $6 to $16 per square foot installed for aluminum and steel, with corrugated steel at the low end near $5 to $8 and concealed-fastener panels at the top near $16. Zinc and copper push the installed range to $15 to $40 per square foot. Material accounts for about a third to half of the total, and labor typically runs $3 to $10 per square foot depending on the panel type and how many corners, windows, and doors the crew has to trim around.
Metal siding cost per square foot by metal
Installed cost per square foot tracks the metal and the fastener system more than the brand. Exposed-fastener corrugated and ribbed panels are cheapest to buy and hang. Concealed-fastener planks and standing-profile panels cost more in both material and labor because installation is slower and trim is more detailed.
| Panel style | Installed cost (per sq ft) | Fastener type |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated aluminum or steel | $5 to $9 | Exposed |
| Ribbed / R-panel steel | $6 to $11 | Exposed |
| Board-and-batten steel | $8 to $14 | Concealed |
| Interlocking plank (lap look) | $9 to $16 | Concealed |
Total metal siding cost by house size
Whole-project cost depends on the wall area, which is usually larger than the home’s floor area, especially on two-story houses. As a working rule, a home has roughly 1.0 to 1.3 square feet of exterior wall for every square foot of living space. The table below applies typical aluminum and steel installed rates to common house sizes. Figures are estimates that may vary with region, wall complexity, and trim.
| Living area | Approx. siding area | Aluminum total | Steel total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (1 story) | 1,000 to 1,300 sq ft | $6,000 to $15,600 | $7,000 to $20,800 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,300 to 1,800 sq ft | $7,800 to $21,600 | $9,100 to $28,800 |
| 2,000 sq ft (2 story) | 1,800 to 2,400 sq ft | $10,800 to $28,800 | $12,600 to $38,400 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,200 to 2,800 sq ft | $13,200 to $33,600 | $15,400 to $44,800 |
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. Get at least three itemized bids, because material and labor split differently from one contractor to the next.
Metal siding pros and cons
Metal siding trades higher upfront cost and weaker insulation for a long, low-maintenance, fireproof service life. It outlasts vinyl and wood, shrugs off insects and rot, and will not burn, which matters in wildfire zones. Against that, it conducts heat, can be noisy in rain, and dents under hail or impact, with aluminum the softest.
Pros:
- Lasts 40 to 60 years for steel and aluminum, and 80 to 100 years for zinc and copper, well beyond vinyl’s 20 to 40.
- Non-combustible, so it carries Class A fire performance and is favored in wildfire-prone areas.
- Immune to termites, carpenter ants, and rot, and it will not absorb moisture.
- Low maintenance, with no repainting cycle like wood or fiber cement.
- Steel and aluminum are recyclable and often contain high recycled content.
- Steel resists high wind and hail better than vinyl, which can crack in cold or warp in heat.
Cons:
- Metal conducts heat, so bare panels insulate poorly. Pair them with an insulated backer or a rainscreen gap to protect the energy bill.
- Rain and hail hit metal louder than they hit vinyl or fiber cement, though a solid substrate and insulation dampen it.
- Aluminum dents from hail, ladders, or a stray baseball, and thinner 29 gauge dents more easily than 26 gauge.
- Steel can rust where the finish is scratched to bare metal, a bigger risk within a few miles of salt water.
- Copper and zinc cost two to four times as much as steel upfront.
- Flat panels can show oil-canning, a visible waviness, which heavier gauge and striations reduce.
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. Vinyl is cheapest but melts in fire and fades faster. Fiber cement matches metal on fire and life but is heavy and needs periodic repainting. Wood looks classic but demands the most upkeep and burns. The table sets the trade-offs side by side.
| Siding | Installed (per sq ft) | Lifespan | Maintenance | Fire behavior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (metal) | $7 to $16 | 40 to 60 years | Low | Non-combustible |
| Aluminum (metal) | $6 to $12 | 40+ years | Low | Non-combustible |
| Vinyl | $3 to $8 | 20 to 40 years | Low | Combustible, melts |
| Fiber cement | $6 to $13 | 30 to 50 years | Moderate (repaint) | Non-combustible |
| Wood / cedar | $7 to $16 | 20 to 40 years | High | Combustible |
| Engineered wood | $5 to $11 | 20 to 30 years | Moderate | Combustible |
Is metal siding right for your house?
Metal siding is the right call for owners who want a fireproof, decades-long exterior with almost no upkeep, and who like a modern, farmhouse, or agricultural look. It is a weaker fit for tight budgets, strict historic districts, and buyers who cannot tolerate any rain noise or the risk of a dent. Match the metal and gauge to your climate before you commit.
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 need non-combustible cladding.
- Low maintenance and a 40-plus year lifespan outweigh a higher upfront price.
- Your home faces high wind, where 26 gauge steel holds up better than vinyl.
Think twice when:
- A homeowners association or historic district restricts materials or profiles.
- Budget is the deciding factor, since vinyl installs for less than half the price.
- 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, 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?
Expect roughly $7,000 to $20,000 to clad a 1,000 square foot single-story home, and $12,600 to $38,400 for a 2,000 square foot two-story house, using aluminum or steel at $6 to $16 per square foot installed. Zinc and copper can double or triple those totals. Wall area, trim complexity, and region drive the final number, so gather several itemized quotes.
What is the cheapest metal siding?
Corrugated aluminum and steel are the cheapest metal siding, at about $5 to $9 per square foot installed. They use exposed fasteners and simple flat sheets, so both material and labor cost less than concealed-fastener planks or board-and-batten. The look reads industrial or agricultural, which fits farmhouse and modern designs but may clash with traditional neighborhoods or 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. A quality factory finish, prompt touch-up of scratches, and correct fasteners keep steel siding rust-free for decades in most climates.
Is metal siding better than vinyl?
Metal siding outlasts vinyl and will not burn or melt, while vinyl costs less than half as much and insulates slightly better in its insulated form. Steel resists wind and hail that can crack or warp vinyl. Vinyl wins on upfront price and quiet; metal wins on lifespan, fire safety, and resale appeal. The right pick depends on budget and climate.
Does metal siding dent?
Aluminum siding dents fairly easily from hail, ladders, or impact, and thinner 29 gauge panels dent more than 26 gauge. Steel is harder and resists dents far better, which is why hail-prone regions favor 26 gauge steel. If dent resistance matters, choose steel over aluminum and step up a gauge, accepting the higher material cost that comes with thicker metal.
Does metal siding make a house hotter or noisier?
Bare metal conducts heat and transmits rain noise more than vinyl or fiber cement, but both problems are manageable. Installing panels over continuous insulation or a rainscreen gap cuts heat transfer and dampens sound. Light or reflective finishes lower solar heat gain. With a proper backer, a metal-clad wall performs close to other siding on comfort and energy.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.