Colorado siding replacement is an estimated $5–$15 per square foot installed for fiber cement, while vinyl is about $6.13 per square foot. Material choice should reflect Front Range hail, freeze-thaw, wind-driven moisture, and intense high-altitude UV, but flashing, housewrap, sheathing, and window integration determine performance too. Permit treatment varies by address and scope, and historic or HOA review may apply. Spring and early summer typically book fastest for exterior work.
| Estimated fiber-cement cost | $5–$15 per square foot installed |
|---|---|
| Estimated vinyl cost | About $6.13 per square foot installed |
| Permit and HOA review | Requirements vary by address and scope; HOA rules can apply even when a building permit does not |
| Scheduling demand | Spring and early summer book fastest on the Front Range |
Budgeting? See siding replacement costs in Colorado and our Colorado remodeling pricing guide.
Siding is the drainage and impact layer people see, but its performance depends on the parts behind it. Along the Colorado Front Range, wall assemblies face hail, wind-driven rain, rapid temperature changes, dry air and intense ultraviolet exposure. A good replacement plan addresses flashing, weather-resistant barriers, clearances, penetrations and transitions, not just the color of the new boards.
Apollo Construction is a licensed and insured general contractor serving the Denver metro and Front Range. We install and replace siding on ranch, split-level and two-story homes, including projects that transition between lap siding, brick and stucco. Call (720) 806-6997 for a free estimate or begin with the quick estimate form.
Design Ideas — Siding in Lakewood
Design concepts — illustrative references, not completed Apollo projects.
Before & After Concept
Before-and-after design concept — illustrative, not a completed Apollo project.
Siding Replacement Is a Wall-System Project
Most water that reaches a wall should be managed before it gets behind the cladding, but siding is not expected to be a perfectly sealed surface. Wind-driven moisture can enter at joints and openings. The layers behind the siding should direct that water back out. That is why window flashing, kick-out flashing, roof-to-wall intersections, penetrations and the weather-resistant barrier matter.
Removing existing siding creates the best opportunity to inspect accessible sheathing and identify staining, softness, missing flashing or gaps around openings. Repairs should be defined before new material hides the wall again. Installing over old siding can be allowed in some assemblies, but it may preserve uneven planes, complicate trim depth and conceal damage. The right answer depends on what is present and what the selected system permits.
Clearances also matter. Siding held too close to roofing, soil, concrete or deck surfaces can absorb moisture or trap debris. At a stucco transition, the edge and flashing must shed water rather than create a pocket. Around hose bibs, lights, vents and service equipment, mounting details should support the cladding and keep the drainage plane continuous.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is a dense cladding available in lap, panel and shingle-style profiles. Homeowners often choose it for a painted wood-like appearance, dimensional stability and fire-conscious exterior planning. Its weight and cutting requirements make handling and installation details important. Layout, fasteners, required gaps, flashing and field-applied edge treatment should follow the selected manufacturer’s instructions.
Fiber cement still needs paint or a factory finish maintained over time. It is impact resistant in many everyday conditions, but it is not immune to severe hail or damage at unsupported edges. The wall must be flat enough for a clean installation, and trim thickness needs to coordinate with windows, doors and adjacent masonry.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding can provide a lower-maintenance exterior with many profiles and colors. Because panels expand and contract with temperature, they must be hung so they can move. Fasteners driven too tightly and short clearances at channels can cause waviness or buckling. Dark colors and broad sun exposure make product-specific temperature guidance especially important.
Panel thickness, profile geometry and substrate affect how the surface feels and performs. Insulated profiles can change the wall depth and may improve flatness, but they are not a substitute for correcting damaged sheathing or discontinuous water management. Vinyl can be a practical choice when expectations for impact, appearance and repair are understood.
Engineered Wood and LP SmartSide
Engineered wood siding uses treated wood fibers or strands to create lap boards, panels and trim with a wood-like face. LP SmartSide is one widely recognized engineered wood product line. These products can provide long lengths, lighter handling than fiber cement and crisp trim details. They still require the specified clearances, flashing, fastening and finish maintenance.
Cut edges and field details should be handled according to product instructions, especially near roof lines, decks, grade and horizontal surfaces. An engineered wood system is not simply interchangeable with every other lap siding product. The estimate should identify the actual product, profile, trim approach and finishing responsibility so bids can be compared accurately.
Hail Resistance and Storm Evaluation
Colorado hail can strike a wall at an angle under strong wind. Damage may appear as cracks, chips, dents, broken locks, finish loss or marks concentrated on the exposed elevations. A north wall and west wall on the same house may not look alike after a storm. Accessories, vents, trim and screens can also provide context.
Impact ratings and thicker products can reduce risk, but “hail-resistant” must not be read as “hail-proof.” Laboratory tests use defined conditions; real storms vary in stone size, wind and impact angle. We can discuss material characteristics and replace damaged assemblies, but we do not guarantee that a future storm cannot cause damage.
If an insurance claim is involved, the policyholder and insurer determine coverage. Construction scope should still be based on the wall’s condition and an installable system. The written estimate should distinguish full elevations, spot repairs, trim, painting, sheathing allowances and code-required work rather than relying on a single square-foot label.
Stucco, Brick and Roof Transitions
Many Denver-area houses combine materials. A brick ranch may have lap siding at gables and a rear addition. A split-level may pair lower-level brick with siding above. Stucco may meet new siding where an addition or prior alteration changed the elevation. Each transition needs a clear termination, suitable flashing and enough dimensional separation to look intentional.
Stucco transitions deserve special attention because cutting or terminating stucco can expose lath, drainage layers and uneven edges. The new trim or flashing must work with the existing assembly rather than merely cover the joint. Where hidden conditions cannot be confirmed before removal, the estimate should state the assumption and how repairs will be documented.
Roof-to-wall intersections need kick-out flashing that directs water into the gutter instead of behind the siding. Deck ledgers and exterior stairs can also interrupt the drainage plane. If related repairs are needed, they may connect with roofing, deck work or structural carpentry.
Our Siding Installation Process
- Exterior walk-through: We measure elevations and review material types, exposure, access, trim, penetrations, utility equipment, roof intersections, decks and visible signs of water or impact damage.
- Material and scope: We compare suitable profiles and identify removal, disposal, wall preparation, weather barrier, flashing, siding, trim, finish and transition work in the written scope.
- Color, HOA and jurisdiction review: The owner confirms any private design approval. We check whether the public jurisdiction requires a permit for the defined scope and whether related work changes that path.
- Removal and inspection: Existing cladding is removed as specified. Accessible sheathing and flashing conditions are reviewed, and concealed repairs are documented before they are covered.
- Water-management details: Weather-resistant barrier repairs, opening flashings, roof and deck intersections, penetrations and required clearances are completed for the selected assembly.
- Installation: Siding and trim are installed using the product’s fastening, spacing and finishing requirements. Material transitions are laid out before the field reaches them.
- Walk-through and care: We review the completed elevations, touch-up responsibilities and normal maintenance for the chosen material.
Photos on the projects page show completed Apollo work. Design-concept images on service pages are labeled as illustrative so they are not confused with finished customer projects.
Permits, HOA Rules and Historic Context
Requirements differ across the Front Range. A like-for-like replacement may receive different treatment from a project that changes insulation, sheathing, windows or wall openings. Properties in special design areas can have additional review. The correct jurisdiction follows the property, which may not be the city printed in the mailing address.
HOA rules are separate. An association may limit colors, profiles, trim contrast or the material visible from a street. Written approval should come before nonreturnable material is ordered. A government permit does not override private covenants, and HOA approval does not replace required public review.
For homes built before 1978, disturbing painted exterior components can trigger federal lead-safe renovation requirements. The age and existing coatings should be considered during planning. We frame these items generally because the exact obligations depend on the property and scope.
Planning a Durable Exterior
Material selection should start with the wall and exposure, then move to appearance. Ask how a bid handles sheathing discoveries, window and door trim, utility blocks, gable vents, soffit transitions, painting, gutters, downspouts and cleanup. Confirm whether the proposed profile can be repaired later and who provides product care information.
Color samples should be viewed outdoors on more than one elevation. High-altitude sun can make a color look lighter and stronger than it did indoors, while a shaded north wall may read differently. A restrained palette often works well with existing brick or stucco and is easier to carry across future repairs.
Budget comparisons are most useful when the scopes match. A low bid that excludes removal, flashing or trim cannot be compared directly with a complete wall-system scope. Apollo provides a written estimate based on the measured home and selected assembly. We do not publish a universal price that ignores corners, openings, height, access and hidden repairs. Financing information is available for owners planning a larger exterior project.
Service Area and Related Services
We serve homes across Denver County, Arapahoe County, Adams County, Jefferson County, Douglas County, Boulder County, Broomfield County, Elbert County, El Paso County, Clear Creek County, Gilpin County and Teller County. Project fit and scheduling depend on the scope and address.
Browse all services or related pages for painting, roofing, home additions and selective demolition.
Siding by City
Permit thresholds, review authority and inspection sequence change from one jurisdiction to the next. Pick your city:
- Arvada
- Aurora
- Black Forest
- Black Hawk
- Boulder
- Broomfield
- Byers
- Castle Pines
- Castle Rock
- Centennial
- Central City
- Cherry Hills Village
- Colorado Springs
- Columbine Valley
- Commerce City
- Cripple Creek
- Denver
- Edgewater
- Elizabeth
- Empire
- Englewood
- Erie
- Evergreen
- Falcon & Peyton
- Federal Heights
- Foxfield
- Franktown
- Georgetown
- Glendale
- Golden
- Greenwood Village
- Highlands Ranch
- Idaho Springs
- Ken Caryl
- Lafayette
- Lakewood
- Larkspur
- Littleton
- Lone Tree
- Longmont
- Louisville
- Manitou Springs
- Monument
- Morrison
- Northglenn
- Palmer Lake
- Parker
- Rollinsville
- Sedalia
- Sheridan
- Superior
- Thornton
- Victor
- Westminster
- Wheat Ridge
Frequently Asked Questions
Which siding material works best for Colorado homes?
There is no single best material for every home. Fiber cement, vinyl, engineered wood and LP SmartSide each balance impact resistance, moisture management, maintenance, appearance, weight and budget differently. The wall assembly, exposure, neighborhood and owner’s maintenance priorities should guide the choice.
Can new siding be installed over old siding?
Sometimes an approved system allows it, but removal is often the better way to inspect sheathing, flashing and weather-resistant barriers. Covering damaged or uneven material can hide water problems and produce poor window and trim details. We evaluate the existing wall before recommending an approach.
Does hail-resistant siding mean hail-proof?
No exterior cladding is hail-proof. Product thickness, profile, substrate and installation can improve impact performance, but storm size, wind and exposure vary. We discuss impact-rated options without promising that a product cannot be damaged.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval for siding replacement?
Requirements vary by address and scope. Some jurisdictions treat like-for-like replacement differently from changes to wall assemblies, insulation or openings. HOAs may regulate color, profile and visible transitions even when a building permit is not required. Both paths should be checked before ordering.
How do I request a siding estimate?
Apollo Construction begins with an exterior walk-through to measure elevations and inspect accessible cladding, trim, penetrations and transitions. We then define the material and scope in a written estimate. Estimates are free; call (720) 806-6997 or use the quick estimate form.
Request a Written Siding Estimate
Tell us what material is on the house now, which elevations concern you and whether the project follows a hail event, an addition or a planned exterior update. Apollo Construction offers free estimates and defines the selected material, transitions and known preparation in writing. Call (720) 806-6997 or use the quick estimate.