Exterior Paint Cost by Siding Type
The siding you have decides how much paint and prep the job takes. Pick vinyl, wood, stucco or brick, enter your rate, and read the total against a labeled band for that surface.
2,000 sq ft of Stucco at $2.50/sq ft is about $5,000.00. Stucco, brick and rough wood use more paint and prep than smooth vinyl or lap siding; this plans painting the existing siding, not replacing it (that’s exteriorcalcs). A labeled band, not a bid.
Calculator inputs
Two houses of the same size can cost very different amounts to paint, and siding is usually why. Smooth vinyl or lap siding takes the least paint and prep; wood needs scraping, sanding and spot-priming; stucco is porous and soaks up coating; brick is thirstier still and usually wants a masonry primer — and painting it is often a one-way decision. This tool multiplies your area by your rate and shows a labeled band for the surface you chose so the number has context.
The bands are a labeled sanity guide only; you enter the real price. It plans painting the existing siding, not replacing it.
Formula
total = siding_area × your $/sq ft, shown beside a labeled $/sq ft band for the chosen siding (vinyl / wood / stucco / brick).
Worked example
2,000 sq ft of stucco at $2.50/sq ft is 2,000 × $2.50 = $5,000.00. Stucco’s labeled band sits higher than vinyl’s because the porous surface uses more paint and prep — so $2.50/sq ft reads as reasonable here, where it might look steep on smooth vinyl.
Match the rate to the surface
- Vinyl / lap: smoothest, least prep — but use a paint rated for vinyl and mind heat-warping on dark colors.
- Wood: budget for scraping, sanding and priming bare or failed spots; that prep is the durability.
- Stucco: porous — expect more paint per square foot and a masonry-friendly coating.
- Brick: very porous, needs a masonry primer, and painting it is usually permanent; be sure before you start.
- Still painting, not replacing. Re-siding is a different trade — this prices coating the surface you have.
Reference table
| Siding | Labeled $/sq ft band | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl / lap siding | $1.50–$3.00/sq ft | Smooth — least paint & prep |
| Wood siding | $1.75–$4.00/sq ft | Sand/scrape and prime bare spots |
| Stucco | $2.00–$4.50/sq ft | Porous — soaks up more paint |
| Brick | $2.25–$4.50/sq ft | Very porous — masonry primer, often permanent |
Exterior repaints run about $1.50–$4.50/sq ft all-in (paint + labor + prep). These are labeled planning bands, a sanity guide only — you enter the real price from your own quote; stucco, brick and rough wood soak up more paint and prep than smooth vinyl or lap siding.