Masonite Siding Prices Broken Down: Installation, Safety & Appearance Information

Masonite is the brand name of an exterior siding product made from wood fibers bonded with glue, resin, and wax. Despite the fact that the Masonite Corporation does not manufacture this type of siding anymore, it is still commonly referred to as Masonite siding or hardboard Masonite siding, although hardboard siding is technically the correct name for the product.

But, no matter what you call it, Masonite siding is a low-cost wood alternative that if properly installed and cared for should last for 25 years or more.

Masonite Siding Average Costs #

Masonite siding typically costs $3 - $8 per square foot installed.

For the Masonite siding alone, expect to pay around $2 - $5 per square foot depending on the product line and style selections. But, installation labor must be included to determine total costs.

For a typical house between 1,500-2,000 sq ft, total costs for new Masonite siding installation usually range from $5,500 to $15,000+ on average.

Masonite Siding Cost Examples #

• "I had basic 8" beaded seam lap masonite installed on my small 850 sq ft home here in Oklahoma. For materials and installation labor, the total came out to around $6 per sq ft for a total project cost of $5,100." - Carla S.

• "For our lake cabin, we went with cedar texture masonite siding panels with a 4" exposure depth. For the 1,200 sq ft cabin, the Masonite material was $3 per sq ft and contractor labor added another $1.50 per sq ft in fees. Our total was $6,000." - James T.

• "I chose the 8" grooved seam style Masonite siding for vertical installation on my modern farmhouse. For the 2,000 sq ft house, the siding itself was $4 per sq ft. With trim pieces and installation labor, the total masonite siding project cost was $14,000." - Sam W.

• "For our office building exterior refresh, we used commercial grade smooth masonite that cost $2.75 per sq ft. With professional installation fees, our total came out to $3.50 per sq ft installed. For 5,000 sq ft it was $17,500 total." - Jenna K.

As shown in these examples, installed masonite siding costs typically ranged from $3-6 per sq ft depending on product style, home details, area labor rates and more. Always get quotes.

Is Masonite Siding Safe? #

A lawsuit filed against the Masonite corporation alleging that its hardboard siding did not meet its warrantee sparked a wave of litigation against the manufacturer. After a settlement was reached, the company ceased production of the product.

In light of this the question must be asked whether Masonite siding is safe to use for home siding projects.

The answer, thanks to product improvements by companies that continue to manufacture hardboard siding, is "yes."

Properly installed and maintained Masonite exterior siding can last for the life of the home. If it is incorrectly installed and/or neglected, however, the problems that plagued Masonite in the 80s and 90s, warping, swelling, buckling, rotting, softening, and blistering, might lead to the failure of the siding after only a few years.

As a homeowner, it is vital that you deal only with proven and reputable Masonite siding contractors who vigilantly follow manufacturer's instructions.

You can also take a number of preventative measures, such as making sure the siding maintains a solid coat of paint on all boards, especially cut edges. All cracks and gaps should also be immediately filled.

The Benefits of Masonite Siding #

Masonite siding has a number of advantages over wood and wood alternatives, including the following:

• Cost: The relatively low cost of Masonite siding is its greatest benefit. It is not only cheaper than wood siding, but also popular alternatives to wood such as vinyl, metal, and fiber cement siding. The fact that it's easy to install also cuts down on the initial investment.
• Resembles Real Wood: Masonite hardboard siding, to a greater extent than vinyl and metal, looks like real wood siding. And compared to wood, hardboard is more flexible and stable in addition to having greater tensile strength.
• Options: Masonite siding is available in a number of patterns, including horizontal and vertical boards, multiple textures, a variety of factory-finished colors, and can be custom painted or stained.

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