Which Siding Has the Best Resale Value?

Replacing your siding is a major investment, so it makes sense to think about how that choice could affect your home’s value later on. Even if you aren’t planning on selling anytime soon, the right siding can make your home feel better cared for and reduce the amount of maintenance you have to think about in the meantime.

For Twin Cities homeowners, fiber cement and vinyl are two of the strongest options to consider for resale value. Each offers a different balance of cost, upkeep, and appearance, so the better choice depends on what you want from your home’s exterior now, and how long you expect to stay.

Does Replacing Siding Increase Home Value?

It can.

New siding improves one of the first things anyone notices about a home: the exterior. If the existing siding is faded or damaged, replacing it can make the entire house look better maintained.

There’s also a practical side to it. A buyer looking at an older exterior may immediately start calculating what they’ll need to repair or replace the siding after moving in. Newer siding removes one large project from that list.

That doesn’t mean every siding replacement produces the same return. Return on investment (ROI) depends on the material, installation quality, the home's condition, the neighborhood, and how long you own the property before selling.

For Minnesota homeowners, durability also deserves extra weight. Harsh weather conditions put extra stress on exterior materials beyond what appearance alone would suggest.

Fiber Cement, Vinyl, Wood, or Steel: Which Is Better for Resale?

No single siding material makes sense for every house or budget. 

Midwest Construction & Remodeling installs James Hardie fiber cement siding and Exterior Portfolio vinyl siding, but homeowners comparing siding often come across wood and steel as well. 

Here’s how the four options differ from a resale perspective.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement tends to appeal to homeowners who want the look of painted siding with less ongoing upkeep than traditional wood.

It costs more upfront than vinyl, but that investment can make sense if you plan to stay in your home for several years and want an exterior that feels substantial and finished. For resale, its appeal comes largely from combining a more premium appearance with lower maintenance demands.

Midwest installs James Hardie fiber cement siding as its premium siding option.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is often the more approachable option for homeowners who want to update their exterior without moving into the higher price range of fiber cement.

It doesn’t require routine painting or refinishing, which can make it attractive while you own the home and when it eventually goes on the market. Modern vinyl also offers far more variety in color and profile than many homeowners associate with older vinyl siding.

Midwest installs Exterior Portfolio vinyl siding and focuses on low-maintenance products rather than choosing materials simply because they’re inexpensive.

Wood Siding

Wood has a distinctive look that fits certain architectural styles. The tradeoff is the amount of maintenance it requires over time.

Regular painting or staining becomes part of owning a wood exterior, and moisture damage can become a concern if that maintenance is neglected. For homeowners thinking about resale, that future upkeep is worth considering because some buyers may see it as an added responsibility rather than a benefit.

That doesn’t make wood a poor choice; it simply means its value depends heavily on the home, the siding's condition, and whether a future buyer appreciates the look enough to take on the maintenance.

Steel Siding

Steel is another low-maintenance option and is often considered by homeowners who prioritize durability.

Steel looks different than fiber cement or vinyl, and it’s less common on residential homes. That can make it more of a preference-driven choice at resale: Some buyers may appreciate the durability, while others may prefer a more familiar siding material.

If resale value is one of your main concerns, it’s worth weighing that durability against how well the material fits your home's style and your area's buyer expectations.

So, Which One Makes the Most Sense?

For most homeowners comparing siding with resale in mind, the decision usually comes down to striking a balance between what you want to spend now and how much maintenance you’re willing to take on later.

Fiber cement can make sense if you want a more premium exterior and are comfortable with the higher upfront investment. 

Vinyl is often a strong fit if you want a lower-maintenance replacement at a more accessible price point. 

Wood and steel can also work well for the right homes, but they depend more on personal preference and the property's style.

How Much Value Does New Siding Add?

There isn’t a universal dollar amount you can expect new siding to add to a home. Resale value can vary based on several factors, including:

• The condition of the rest of the home: New siding can make a strong first impression, but buyers will still look at the roof, windows, interior updates, and other major systems.

• The neighborhood: A siding replacement can have a different impact depending on how your home compares with nearby properties.

• The material you choose: Fiber cement, vinyl, wood, and steel all come with different costs and maintenance expectations.

• The quality of the installation: Even a premium siding product won’t perform as intended if the installation is rushed or poorly executed.

• The housing market when you sell: Market conditions play a major role in how much buyers are willing to pay for updates.

If you’re already investing in siding, it generally makes more sense to choose a material that fits your home and your area’s climate than to chase a specific resale percentage. 

Does Replacing the Roof and Siding Together Add More Value?

If both systems are aging, it can make sense to think about them together.

From a homeowner’s perspective, a newer roof and newer siding mean two major exterior projects have already been addressed. They also give you the chance to choose roofing and siding that work well together, instead of treating each project independently.

That doesn’t mean you should replace a perfectly good roof simply because you’re installing siding, but if the roof is already approaching replacement time, it’s worth discussing the timing of both projects.

What the National Numbers Say About Siding ROI

Siding replacement is one of the most dependable exterior projects for recouping your investment at resale. The Journal of Light Construction’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, which weighs national remodeling costs against the resale value those projects hold, ranks fiber cement and vinyl siding among the top exterior upgrades for cost recouped.

According to that report, new vinyl siding recoups about 76 percent of its cost at resale nationally, and fiber cement recoups more, at about 96 percent. Those percentages shift year to year as job costs and home prices change, so they work best as benchmarks rather than fixed promises. What stays steady is the pattern: Siding returns a large share of what you spend.

How the Twin Cities Differ From Other U.S. Cities

There’s also a Twin Cities wrinkle the national averages can’t account for. 

In a market that sees hail and hard winters, buyers tend to prioritize exteriors that are built to hold up. Durable, well-installed siding can land as a genuine selling point here. National job-cost figures are also modeled and often run lower than a quality local replacement, which is one more reason the national percentage is a guide for your specific home and block rather than a guarantee.