How Much Does It Cost to Install Shiplap in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Most homeowners spend $1,000 to install shiplap, with an average range between $500 and $1,500. A small accent wall can run as little as $300, while wrapping an entire exterior could reach $5,600.

Shiplap’s rabbeted boards lock together to create those tight, clean lines you see on farmhouse walls and modern exteriors. Whether you choose reclaimed lumber or brand-new planks, the overlapping grooves give the surface its signature durability and style.

Shiplap Cost Factors

Your final shiplap price tag comes down to a variety of factors, including the wood you pick, how many square feet you cover, and local labor rates. Here’s a closer look at how your shiplap installation cost breaks down.

Square Footage 

Expect to spend $2 to $7 per square foot for most interior installations. Exterior jobs run a bit higher at $3.60 to $11, because the boards must stand up to weather. Covering a larger area? Pros often drop the per-square-foot rate when you buy in bulk.

Shiplap Wood Type

The price of the boards differs based on the type of wood. Shiplap planks are available in redwood, cedar, ipe, fir, hemlock, spruce, poplar, pine, MDF, or fiber cement. Plywood is another option for shiplap. It can be purchased in sheets and cut into several boards. Consult with interior designers and carpenters in your area for their recommendations on which wood type is best for your project.

Hardwood

Plan on $1.50 to $6 per square foot for hardwood boards. ‘Hardwood’ simply means lumber from broad-leaf trees, so costs shift by species. Oak for an accent wall or mahogany for siding—either way, these dense planks hold up well inside and out.

Cedar

Cedar boards cost $3 to $7 per square foot. Standard grades fall toward the lower end, while clear, knot-free planks sit at the top. Cedar’s natural oils make it a smart pick for both indoor accent walls and weather-facing exteriors.

Pine

Pine bundles cost $200 to $400 for 100 square feet, which is $2 to $4 per square foot. Versatile and easy to paint, pine is suitable for a range of applications, from rustic accent walls to full exterior siding.

Room Type

Shiplap fits almost anywhere, but costs change by room. For example, sealing boards in a steamy bathroom costs a bit more than paneling a dry bedroom wall.

Bedroom and Living Room

Shiplap can work well as a statement wall in bedrooms and living rooms. Many different types of shiplap are available in various colors and textures to suit your aesthetic.

Bathroom

If you want to install shiplap in your bathroom, pair your planks with a water-resistant finish, such as polyurethane, polycrylic, or mildew-resistant paint, to prevent swelling and mold growth.

Ceiling

Paneling your ceiling with shiplap can bring elegance and interest to a room. Shiplap has a more textured look than plain drywall. As a bonus, you can use it to cover popcorn ceilings if you’re considering that option.

Kitchen and Pantry

Horizontal shiplap is a common choice for pantry interiors. It can also be a unique choice for kitchen cabinetry or an accent wall. A shiplap backsplash adds texture to the area underneath your cabinets without being too busy or distracting.

Around the Fireplace

Shiplap can frame a fireplace as long as you respect local fire codes. Start with a non-combustible surround, such as tile, marble, brick, steel, or stone, then add the boards. Keep any combustible material at least six inches from the firebox.

Exterior Siding

Many homeowners opt for shiplap over aluminum or stucco due to its classic lines and straightforward installation. Just know that outdoor boards trap dust in their grooves and can warp if a pro doesn’t fasten them correctly.

Labor

The cost to hire a carpenter to install shiplap ranges from $35 to $100 per hour.

Painting or Staining

Interior shiplap painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot. Exterior shiplap painting costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot. You may also budget for interior painting costs at the same time as your shiplap installation to give your entire space a fresh coat of paint.

Additional Accessories

Any additional accessories you choose to install, such as lighting or molding around the edges, will add additional costs. Baseboard installation costs $5.70 to $9 per linear foot. Before installing shiplap, you may need to touch up portions of your wall. Wall repair costs as little as $50 to patch a small hole, but it can get more expensive to fix bowing or sagging.

Shiplap vs. Other Wall Costs

Shiplap, drywall, sheetrock, tongue-and-groove, molding, and board and batten are all wall materials you can install in your home. Compare the cost to install shiplap with the cost to install these other wall materials.

Shiplap vs. Drywall and Sheetrock

Sheetrock is a form of drywall and is a fairly common alternative to plaster for walls. Drywall costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, including materials and installation, while the cost to frame and build a wall is $2,070 on average.

While drywall and sheetrock are less costly and easier to paint than shiplap, the intricate wood grain of shiplap adds a layer of visual appeal. In addition, shiplap is more durable than drywall or Sheetrock. It takes a significant amount of force to dent shiplap. Shiplap is also more moisture-resistant than drywall and Sheetrock.

Shiplap vs. Tongue-and-Groove

Tongue-and-groove siding costs between $2 and $5 per square foot. While shiplap uses rabbeted edges to connect the boards, tongue-and-groove planks interlock at the edges. The interlocking edges keep out the elements better than rabbeted edges.

Does Installing Shiplap Walls Increase Home Value?

Shiplap rarely tops the ROI charts, but a well-executed accent wall or exterior upgrade can still boost buyer appeal, especially in markets that lean toward farmhouse or coastal styles. Stick with neutral colors and use the boards in moderation to signal careful design without overwhelming the space.

Budgeting for Shiplap Installation

With strategic planning and smart choices, you can keep your shiplap installation costs under control and within budget with these tips:

• Get at least three bids from local carpenters so you know the going rate in your area.

• Choose budget-friendly woods that mimic pricier species.

• Watch for seasonal sales on boards and fasteners.

• Limit your shiplap coverage to an accent wall to cut material and labor costs.

• Ask about bulk discounts if you’re paneling several rooms.

• Stick with standard board sizes to avoid waste and extra cutting fees.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

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.