The average cost to install wood siding is $12,500
Installing new wood siding costs an average of $12,500, with most homeowners spending between $7,000 and $23,000.
Cost factors include the size and design of your home, type and quality of wood, labor rates, and removal of existing siding.
Homeowners pay between $3 and $10 per square foot for materials and labor to install wood siding.
Hiring a professional siding contractor ensures proper installation, enhancing the durability and appearance of your home's exterior.
Wood siding offers aesthetic appeal and can increase your home's value when properly installed and maintained.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Plan to spend an average of $12,500 on new wood siding, with most projects landing between $7,000 and $23,000. Your total costs will depend on factors such as the size of your home, the type of wood you choose, and local labor rates. Hiring a professional siding contractor increases total costs but ensures a safe, secure, and code-compliant installation.
Several variables push your siding bill up or down—square footage, your home’s design, local labor rates, and the grade of lumber you pick.
Square footage is the biggest cost driver, with prices ranging from $3 to $10 per square foot. The more wall space you need to cover, the more you’ll spend on materials and labor. If your home’s layout is complex, with numerous gables or steep peaks, you may need to budget up to 25% more for your siding project.
Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
1,500 | $4,740–$15,800 |
2,000 | $5,250–$15,800 |
2,500 | $7,500–$23,000 |
3,000 | $9,000–$26,000 |
3,500 | $10,500–$30,000 |
A local siding contractor’s quote for wood siding installation includes two jobs: tearing off the old siding and putting up the new boards. Professional demolition costs $1,000 to $3,000 ( $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot), while installation can add up to $5,000 to your total.
Wood species and grade have a significant impact on your budget. Budget-friendly options, such as cypress, can cost nearly half as much as premium options, like redwood or cedar. If you’re buying the boards yourself, stick with a reputable local lumberyard to make sure you’re getting sound, properly dried stock.
The species you choose shapes both the look of your exterior and the size of the bill. Cedar, for example, is naturally rot-resistant; it may cost more initially, but it can outlast cheaper woods. The table below provides a cost breakdown for the most popular options.
Type | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Cedar | $3–$30 |
Pine | $1–$5 |
Redwood | $4–$20 |
Cypress | $5–$12 |
Hardwood (Teak, Ipe, Cumaru) | $5–$20 |
Cedar siding costs $3 to $30 per square foot. Because it can be stained and is rot-resistant, cedar is easily one of the most popular siding choices, with Western Red and Eastern White being the most often used.
Pine is a budget-friendly option at just $1 to $5 per square foot. Homeowners choose it for its price point, along with its multiple designs and colors, such as white, blue stain, knotty, and gray.
Pressure-treated pine is highly resistant to rot and insects and available in most locations for up to twice the price of untreated pine.
Redwood is a softwood that costs between $4 and $20 per square foot. It’s abundant in the western part of the United States, helping keep costs down in this region.
Cypress costs $5 to $12 per square foot, making it another economical option. Similar to redwood, it's more abundant in the southeast, meaning you can find a better deal in a state like Georgia or Florida.
Hardwoods such as teak, ipe, and cumaru range from $5 to $20 per square foot. These tropical woods offer unique aesthetics and are often more rot-resistant and structurally stable than softwoods. While they can be more challenging to work with and cost more upfront, their durability makes them a worthwhile investment.
Installation costs vary based on both labor and materials, ranging between $3 and $10 per square foot. The style of wood you choose and your home’s configuration determine the complexity of the installation and the amount of labor needed.
Design | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Board and batten | $5–$14 |
Tongue and groove | $7–$20 |
Shiplap | $8.50–$21 |
Shake and shingle | $7.50–$23 |
Log | $9–$25 |
Board and batten siding costs $5 to $14 per square foot, including both materials and labor. It's often hung vertically with one piece covering the seam of two underlying boards.
Also known as clapboard or channel siding, shiplap siding costs between $8.50 and $21 per square foot. This popular option is cut from softwoods such as pine or fir. Hardwood styles are also available, but they significantly increase prices.
Log siding costs $9 to $25 per square foot, including both materials and labor. It gives your home a log cabin appearance without using full logs, but it is more expensive due to the volume of wood required.
Shingle siding costs $7.50 to $21 per square foot, while shake siding costs $8.50 to $23 per square foot. Shakes and shingles offer a rustic appearance that many homeowners prefer.
Tongue-and-groove wood siding costs $7 to $20 per square foot, including materials and labor. Boards fit together with a tongue in one board into a groove in the next, creating a sleek, smooth finish. Its fit-together structure makes it a popular choice for DIYers.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Vinyl siding is almost always more affordable than wood. Its materials are inexpensive and installation is straightforward, making it more cost-effective than wood, which calls for high-quality lumber and more labor-intensive work. Keep in mind that wood offers a warm, classic look and, with proper maintenance, can enhance curb appeal and resale value in a way that vinyl may not.
Well-maintained wood siding can serve your home for 40 years or more. Routine care is the best way to maximize its lifespan. Simply wash it gently, seal or stain it every few years, and replace any boards that show signs of rot or insect damage. Touch-up paint or stain helps keep UV rays and moisture at bay, while prompt repairs prevent minor issues from spreading.
Covering a 1,500-square-foot house with wood siding costs an average of $12,500, assuming professional installation and mid-range materials. You can reduce the price by choosing a less expensive species or tackling minor prep work yourself, but weigh the savings against the time you’ll invest and the risk of mistakes. Hiring a vetted professional usually delivers a tighter fit, a longer lifespan, and warranty protection.
Swapping vinyl for wood is feasible as long as your home’s framing and sheathing meet current building code requirements. A contractor will strip the vinyl, inspect the substrate, install a breathable house wrap, and maintain a clearance of at least six inches between the new boards and the ground to prevent moisture from accumulating. Because wood and vinyl behave differently, budget extra for the transition. When done right, the upgrade adds rich character and can lift your home’s value.
In some cases, you can install new wood siding right over an existing layer, but only if the old material is flat, solid, and completely dry. Your contractor will first verify that the walls are structurally sound and that adding weight will not violate the code. They’ll also pay close attention to drainage planes and ventilation to prevent moisture from being trapped. If the existing siding shows signs of rot or warping, complete removal is the wiser choice, even though it incurs additional labor costs of roughly $7 to $13 per square foot.