Wood Siding Installations: Overview
One of the most popular types of siding to install in North America is natural wood siding. It is one of the most desired and aesthetic siding options on the market thanks to its limitless versatility and timeless appearance.
Wood siding on a house typically comes in a variety of styles including clapboard, lap siding, shakes, or shingles. There are also several different types of wood to choose for new siding, including cedar, cypress, pine, redwood, and even engineered faux wood.
Homeowners for generations have also praised its eco-friendliness, ability to offer protection from the elements, and unmatched curb appeal for decades when properly maintained.
Benefits of Wood Siding
In addition to the abovementioned benefits, wood siding is also chosen by homeowners for many reasons including:
However, wood siding comes with some drawbacks to consider. These include:
How Much Does Wood Siding Cost?
When it comes to cost, wood siding has mid-tier pricing compared to other material options. Natural wood siding installation projects range anywhere from $19,300 to $45,175, with the average project costing about $32,238. The total cost of your wood siding project depends on your home’s total square footage and local labor costs in your area. We recommend using our cost calculator to estimate the cost of your siding installation based on your specific home.
Below we break down the cost of a wood siding installation project by the particular costs involved. This way, you can budget smartly for your siding installation.
Cost per square foot
On average, wood siding costs $6 to $12 per square foot of installation.
| Average cost per square foot | $6.90 to $13.90 |
| Total average cost for 1,000 sq. ft. home | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Total average cost for 2,500 sq. ft. home | $19,300 to $45,175 |
Several factors can impact the cost of your project. These include your home’s design, the type of wood selected, and if repairs need to be conducted during the installation process. Cypress, cedar, and redwood tend to be more expensive types of wood siding. Pine, fir, and spruce may be slightly more affordable.
Cost to remove old siding
Most homeowners doing a siding replacement will also require a siding removal. Expect to pay $2,050 to $3,750 to remove old siding.
Prior to a siding removal and disposal, make sure to prepare gutters, move outdoor furniture, and cover landscaping. Dumpster and dumpster permits will likely be necessary.
The whole siding removal process should take about a week to complete. The entire removal and replacement process can take up to two weeks.
Cost by type of wood siding
The cost and durability level of your wood siding goes hand-in-hand. For instance, cedar is a more expensive wood siding option because of the wood’s natural resistance to decay. However, there is a wide variety of quality softwoods to choose from that are more affordable, including pine and spruce wood siding.
- Cedar: $10.20 -$18.60 per square foot
- Pine: $2-$5 per square foot
- Redwood: $5-$15 per square foot
- Cypress: $5-$10 per square foot
- Engineered Wood: $3.50-$8.50 per square foot
Costs for specific types of wood may vary by region and season, so be sure to get an exact quote from your siding contractor for specific types of wood siding.
Local labor costs
In addition to the cost of materials, homeowners can expect labor costs between $1.30 and $2.40 per square foot, depending on your specific geographical region. Rural areas tend to have lower labor costs for siding installations than urban, densely populated areas.
Installation and labor costs will also vary depending on the wood’s thickness, quality, and style. Different styles and types of wood are more difficult to install than others.
Best Types of Wood Siding
There are quite a few types of wood siding that you can install. Each type of wood has a different appearance, durability, color, texture, and of course, price tag. The most popular types of wood siding include those listed below.
Cedar wood siding
The most popular wood siding choice, cedar is commonly stained due to its beautiful red tone and likelihood to bleed if painted.
Cedar is easy to work with and naturally resistant to insects, moisture, and decay, making it is less likely to rot compared to other types of wood. It also stands up better to rain, wind, snow, and sleet compared to other types of wood. It costs about $7.30 to $13.40 per square foot, depending on the siding style you choose.
While the initial installation cost of cedar siding may be higher than other types of wood siding, cedar siding can save you money in the long term as you are less prone to have to replace shingles or panels due to rot.
Cedar siding can be applied in the form of horizontal lap panels, traditional shingles, or shakes. For a modern look, consider choosing tongue-and-groove panels. For a rustic look, check out “board-and-batten” styles. Your cedar siding will vary in color and grain, depending on where the wood originates. In terms of environmental sustainability, cedar biodegrades naturally, but cedar trees grow rapidly further decreasing your home’s environmental impact.
Cypress wood siding
Cypress siding is lauded for its beautiful natural shade and long lasting quality. It is naturally resistant to splitting and warping and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
This moisture-resistant wood also resists cracking and splitting. With proper care and maintenance, cypress siding can last over 50 years. However, cypress is difficult to work with—resulting in high installation costs. Expect cypress siding to cost about $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on the style and your location.
Fir wood siding
Fir is a less commonly used wood, but a great cost-saving alternative. It is also an eco-friendly and paintable material.
Fir is a great choice if you want the look of natural wood on your home but want to keep installation costs at a minimum. It can be easily stained and is considered easy to work with. It should cost just $2 to $6 depending on your area. Keep in mind that more maintenance to avoid moisture damage will be required.
Pine wood siding
Pine is another low-cost option thanks to it being easy to work with. This softwood does not perform as well long-term and must be regularly re-painted or stained.
Pine must also be pressure treated or it will be more susceptible to termites and moisture. Similar to fir wood, it costs about $2 to $5 per square foot.
Redwood siding
Popular for its gorgeous red color, redwood is resistant to rot, insect activity, and moisture. Redwood can be stained, and it holds a finishing very well over time.
Due to supply location, redwood is seen more commonly on the West Coast. It is considered a higher end type of wood siding, so it comes with a higher price tag. Redwood should also be restained every 3 to 5 years. Expect redwood siding to cost an average of $5 to $15 per square foot.
Spruce wood siding
Spruce has a distinct white coloring that will become weathered and silvery gray over time. It can be stained or painted, and typically comes with textures and visible knots.
While not as secure as cypress, it offers moderate moisture protection. Spruce typically costs $6 to $12 per square foot to install.
Engineered wood siding
Keep in mind that engineered wood is not natural wood. This wood has been modified, such as by using pulp and glues to create hardboard, or by layering with different materials.
Most engineered wood siding is available prefinished or painted—lowering the cost of installation. Many homeowners today are choosing engineered wood for their siding replacements to get the look of real wood at a much lower cost. You can expect engineered wood siding to cost between $3.50 and $8.50 per square foot.
Natural Wood Siding Cost vs. Durability
The cost and durability level of your wood siding goes hand-in-hand. For instance, cedar is a more expensive siding option because of the its natural resistance to decay. Other decay resistant woods that are popular in the regions where they are produced include redwood on the west coast and cypress wood in the southeast and gulf coast. If you live in these areas, these woods might actually be more affordable to you than to homeowners in other parts of the country. Since they are easily accessible and lack the need for long-haul shipping costs, the price can be cheaper.
There are also lower cost softwoods to choose from that are more affordable, like pine and spruce. Be aware that these woods are not as naturally resistant to decay, so you will need to do more to maintain your siding. Most suppliers of softwoods recommend back-priming and priming of cut ends. This can increase the installed cost per square foot initially, but will save you money on replacing panels due to rot over the years.
Wood Siding Styles
In addition to types of wood siding, homeowners can also choose between different siding styles prior to installation. Below you can explore the most popular styles of natural wood siding.
Lap wood siding
- $3-$10 per sq. ft.
One of the most common and popular styles, this horizontal lap siding features boards overlapping the one below. Shiplap leaves a smooth surface and Dutch lap (clapboard, horizontal lap, or bevel) uses beveled horizontal boards. Lap siding is easy to install, which helps keep the price low. Options like cedar clapboard can give your home a warm, rustic look. Once installed, clapboard can be left unfinished or can be stained and painted – the latter is recommended for longevity.
Shingle and shake wood siding
- $6-$11 per sq. ft.
Shingles are long pieces of wood that overlap. They can be identical in shape and size, slightly irregular, or feature unique designs such as arches or scallops. Shakes are similar to shingles but are usually hand split and more irregular, giving them a rustic appearance. Shakes take more time to install than shingles, on average.
Tongue and groove
- $3-$12 per sq. ft.
This siding can be installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally with each plank designed to fit together tightly.
Board and batten wood siding
- $4-$12 per sq. ft.
This style consists of two pieces —a large board installed vertically on the home and a thin-stripped batten that is fastened on top, between the boards, improving water resistance. Due to the overlapping nature, this is more costly than other styles.
What is the ROI of a Wood Siding Installation?
Installing new wood siding on your home can yield a 77% rate of return on your investment (ROI). Premium siding like cedar shakes can increase that ROI even further.
Even if you’re not looking to sell your home anytime soon, new wood siding can have the added benefit of improving the insulation of your home, providing valuable savings on your monthly utility bills.
Wood Siding Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
To maintain your wood siding, you’ll want to make sure that it is treated to resist fire and termite infestation. You’ll also want to stain or paint your siding every few years. Wood expands and contracts with normal changes in humidity and temperature.
These fluctuations may cause paint finishes to chip or crack and over time puts stress on caulked seams around windows, doors, and corners. If the caulk separates and fails to keep out moisture, rot can develop. Even types of wood that have a natural resistance to rot may decay if not properly protected from the elements.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for spots that are cracked or show signs of rot to remove and replace those panels before the damage has a chance to spread. Making these relatively small financial and time investments in maintaining your siding can ensure that you enjoy attractive and durable protection from the elements for up to thirty years or longer.
Finding a Siding Contractor Near You
If you are ready to move forward with a wood siding installation, Modernize can help. Our trusted network of siding professionals can get your project done within your budget. Compare three to four contractors in our network to hire the best professional for your home and needs.
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