How Much Does Wood Siding Cost To Buy and Install?

Although more homeowners are choosing vinyl, fiber cement, hardboard, and other synthetic materials for their home siding, 100% real wood remains a top choice. It requires a fair amount of upkeep but, the classic beauty of wood siding cannot be matched.

For those who want the look and feel of real wood in a more cost-effective package, engineered wood siding offers the perfect compromise.

Wood Siding Costs #

Wood siding costs $8 - $15 per square foot installed.

For the wood siding alone, costs range $4 - $9 per square foot typically. But professional installation labor needs to be factored into total costs.

For a 2,000 sq ft home, expect to budget about $14,000 - $28,000+ for a new wood siding exterior. Redwood or cedar cost more than pine.

Wood Siding Costs by Type #

Wood Siding Installation Cost Examples #

• "I installed western red cedar bevel siding on my small 800 sq ft craftsman style home. The 1x6 boards cost $7 per sq ft and with trim pieces and labor, my total wood siding install cost $7,000." - Amanda T.

• "We wanted real cedar shake for our lake cabin in Vermont. The rough-sawn shakes were $12 per sq ft and with painting/staining labor our total wood siding price was $14,400 for the 1,200 sq ft project." - Michael S.

• "I did a full tear-off and replaced the siding on my outdated house using vertical pine board & batten siding with a 1x10 trim border. The pine and cedar trim cost $9 per sq ft and install brought me to $22,500 total for the 2,500 sq ft house." - Steve W.

• "For our office park building exterior remodel, we used textured cedar shingles and commercial grade pine corner boards. The wood siding materials were $11 per sq ft and contractor install fees totaled $3 per sq ft additional. For 5,000 sq ft it totaled $70,000." - Carla J.

As shown in these homeowner quotes, installed wood siding costs ranged $8 to $15 per sq ft depending on species used, style, home details, location and complexity. Professional install strongly advised.

Wood vs. Engineered Wood Siding #

Both wood and engineered wood have a number of distinct advantages. Below is a breakdown of each material and why you should consider it for your home siding projects.

Wood Siding

Wood may be one of the most popular siding materials on the market, but the huge number of wood siding types and options can make it difficult to select a product. Use the following criteria to narrow down your choices:

• Species: While it's possible to make siding from virtually any type of wood, a number of species dominate. Pine, spruce, and fir are economical softwoods that hold a finish well but must be maintained more carefully because they aren't rot-resistant. Cedar siding, on the other hand, is superior in terms of moisture and insect resistance, while redwood sets the standard for woods with its deep texture and durability.
• Design: Most homeowners choose wood siding applied in horizontal clapboards, but shakes and shingles arranged horizontally are popular as well. Vertical board and batten siding is another option. Pre-primed boards offer added protection without the added labor.

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood has a core made from sawdust or flakes that is infused with a bonding agent and compressed to provide strength. The pieces are treated to protect against the nemeses of real wood: pests and rot, and a wood-grain pattern coating provides the look of real wood.

In addition to being more moisture and insect resistant, engineered wood is simpler, and therefore cheaper, to install than wood siding. Many products come with a 25 or 30 year warrantee. Engineered wood siding options include not only pre-primed boards, but also boards that are pre-finished.

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