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Window and Siding Contractors: National Cost Data & Bundle Strategy (2026)
Who This Is For
This guide assists homeowners who are planning a total exterior renovation. It is designed for those deciding whether to hire separate trades or bundle the project with a single company. It helps you understand the technical benefits of sealing the building envelope and the financial ROI of combining windows and siding in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Bundle Benefits: Replacing windows and siding together allows for superior waterproofing and air sealing that is impossible when doing them separately.
- Regional Differences: Pennsylvania and Ohio homeowners prioritize insulated vinyl bundles while Florida and Texas residents focus on impact windows and stucco repairs.
- Financial ROI: Data consistently shows that siding and window replacements rank in the top five for return on investment during resale.
- Technical Edge: Removing old siding exposes the nail fin of the window, which allows contractors to flash the frame directly to the house wrap for a watertight seal.
Coordinating two separate construction crews for a major renovation is a logistical nightmare that often leads to scheduling conflicts and finger-pointing. Smart homeowners typically look for window and siding contractors who can handle the entire building envelope as a single unified project. This approach is not just about convenience. It is about technical superiority and financial efficiency.
Mr. Remodel internal data of over 27,000 projects reveals that the most successful renovations in 2026 are strategic bundles. Whether you are combating the freezing winters of the Rust Belt or the hurricanes of the Sun Belt, treating your exterior as a complete system offers better protection than piecemeal upgrades. You need a partner who understands how these two critical elements work together to protect your home.
The Technical Advantage: Why Bundle?
Many homeowners assume that doing windows and siding together is just about saving money on labor. While bulk pricing is a factor, the real benefit is structural integrity.
The Building Envelope
According to the Department of Energy, the building envelope is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building. When you replace windows alone, the installer often has to leave the old siding in place. This forces them to rely on caulk to seal the gap between the new window and the old exterior. Caulk eventually fails.
When you strip the house down to the sheathing for a siding replacement, you expose the window openings completely. This allows the contractor to integrate the window flashing directly with the weather-resistant barrier or house wrap. This creates a seamless water management system that directs rain away from your walls. It is a level of waterproofing that is nearly impossible to achieve when projects are done in isolation.
The Financial ROI in 2026
Renovating your exterior is expensive, but it also drives significant value. The Journal of Light Construction 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (referencing latest trends) consistently places fiber cement siding replacement and window replacement in the top tier for return on investment.
The Exit Strategy
For homeowners preparing to sell, the curb appeal of a matched exterior is powerful. A home with faded vinyl siding and brand new windows looks disjointed. A home with a completely refreshed facade signals to buyers that the property is well-maintained.
Bundling window and siding projects ensures that the trim, colors, and materials complement each other perfectly. This creates a cohesive look that appraisal algorithms and buyers value highly.
The Rust Belt Strategy: Pennsylvania & Ohio
Our data at Mr. Remodel highlights a distinct trend in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Pennsylvania is our number one state for siding requests, with massive volume in Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The Insulated Facelift
In these climates, the priority is thermal protection. Homeowners are fighting cold drafts and high heating bills. The winning strategy here is the Insulated Facelift.
- Siding: High-quality vinyl siding with integrated foam insulation. The Vinyl Siding Institute notes that insulated siding can increase the R-value of the wall system, which reduces thermal bridging.
- Windows: Triple-pane glass with gas fills to stop heat loss.
By combining these, you wrap your home in a thermal blanket. This strategy is most effective when done together because the added thickness of insulated siding requires the windows to be built out with proper extension jambs.
Mr. Remodel can connect you to a unified contractor that handles these complex transitions seamlessly.
The Sun Belt Strategy: Florida & Texas
The data tells a completely different story in the South. Florida and Texas are massive markets for windows, but they see fewer requests for siding. This is due to the prevalence of stucco and brick construction.
Hurricane and Heat Defense
In these regions, you should not waste your budget on vinyl siding that you do not need. Instead, the bundle focuses on Hardening and Ventilation.
- Windows: Impact-rated glass is non-negotiable for storm protection.
- Soffit & Fascia: While you might not replace the wall cladding, replacing the soffits (the underside of the roof overhang) improves attic ventilation.
This combination protects the home from pressure changes during a storm and reduces the heat load on the attic. It is a targeted bundle that addresses the specific risks of the Sun Belt without forcing a siding sale on a stucco home.
The Fort Wayne Anomaly: Whole Home Flips
Mr. Remodel data uncovered a surprising trend in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This city shows high lead volume with massive average project sizes of over eight windows.
This suggests a market driven by investors or major renovations. If you are in this demographic, you are likely doing a Whole Home Flip. The goal here is durability and speed.
You need a contractor who can strip the entire exterior and install low-maintenance vinyl and standard windows in one go. This approach maximizes the speed to market for rental properties or flips.
Material Choices: Vinyl vs. Fiber Cement
Choosing the right material is critical for the longevity of your new exterior.
Vinyl Siding
This is the dominant choice in our Pennsylvania and Ohio markets. It is cost-effective, requires zero painting, and has improved drastically in aesthetic quality. Modern vinyl can mimic the look of cedar shake without the rot risk.
Fiber Cement
For homeowners looking for a premium finish, fiber cement is the gold standard. Manufacturers like James Hardie produce boards that are engineered to resist fire, pests, and harsh weather. It is heavier and more expensive to install than vinyl, but it offers a deep wood grain look that many historic districts prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to replace windows and siding at the same time?
Generally yes. While the upfront cost is higher, you save on labor and logistics. The contractor only needs to set up scaffolding and order dumpsters once. You also avoid the cost of having to redo trim work that would be damaged if you did the projects separately.
Which should I replace first if I cannot afford both?
If you must choose, most experts recommend replacing the windows first. However, this can be tricky. If you replace windows now and siding later, the new siding might require the windows to be re-flashed or re-trimmed, which adds cost. The ideal technical order is to do them together to ensure the water barrier is continuous.
How does bundling affect the warranty?
Bundling often improves your warranty coverage. When a single company installs both the windows and the siding, there is no dispute about who is responsible for a leak. You have one phone number to call for any exterior issues, which simplifies your long-term maintenance.
What is the average cost for a window and siding project?
Costs vary wildly by region. In heavy siding markets like Pennsylvania, a full exterior renovation can range from $30,000 to over $45,000, depending on the size of the home and the materials chosen. In window-focused markets like Florida, the cost is driven more by the glass package and less by the wall cladding.
Conclusion
A total exterior renovation is a significant investment that requires careful planning. By bundling your windows and siding, you gain the technical advantage of a sealed building envelope and the financial advantage of increased ROI.
Whether you are planning an Insulated Facelift in Pennsylvania or a Hurricane Defense upgrade in Florida, the data supports a unified approach.
Ready to transform your home exterior? Mr. Remodel will connect you with local pros who specialize in complete exterior makeovers for your specific climate.
