How Much Does Shou Sugi Ban Siding Cost? [2025 Data]
Shou Sugi Ban siding costs an average of $34,000 for a 2,000-square-foot house, and most projects total between $22,100 and $46,000. Your total depends mostly on home size and the species of wood you choose.
Shou sugi ban siding costs two to three times as much as standard wood siding, but lasts twice as long with less maintenance.
The size and complexity of your home and the wood species you choose are the most influential cost factors.
You’ll need to pay for permits and siding removal, which can add $1,100 to $3,500 to your total.
High-end wood species like cedar cost twice as much as budget-friendly pine.
Shou Sugi Ban siding, or carbonized wood finish, costs between $22,100 and $46,000 to install, or $13 to $27 per square foot on average. Shou Sugi Ban comes from an ancient Japanese wood-burning siding practice called Yakisugi, which naturally preserves wood using a light burnt finish. You could pay as little as $15,600 for charred pine siding on a smaller home or as much as $59,400 to side a larger home with charred cedar.
Cost by Home Size
Shou sugi ban siding costs between $13 and $27 per square foot, with an average of $20 per square foot. The larger your home is, the more siding you’ll need to cover the exterior walls, and the higher your total will be. Siding costs don’t always scale linearly with your home’s living area, but you can use the table below to estimate your project total based on your home size.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $24,000 | $15,600–$32,400 |
| 1,500 | $29,000 | $18,900–$39,200 |
| 2,000 | $34,000 | $22,100–$45,900 |
| 2,500 | $39,000 | $25,400–$52,700 |
| 3,000 | $44,000 | $28,600–$59,400 |
Materials
Shou sugi ban siding is a type of wood siding, and different wood species vary widely in the cost per square foot. Cedar is traditionally the most popular species due to its natural moisture resistance, but pine costs half as much and still lasts a long time with a shou sugi ban finish. Spruce and oak are also more durable than pine, but cost even more than cedar.
The prices in the table below are for the materials only, but they do include the work that goes into applying the shou sugi ban finish.
| Wood Species | Price Range (per Sq. Ft.) | Average Price (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| Pine | $6 – $12 | $9 |
| Cedar | $8 – $18 | $13 |
| Spruce | $10 – $20 | $15 |
| Oak | $10 – $20 | $15 |
Location
Pricing for shou sugi ban siding varies based on where you live. Labor costs tend to be higher in urban areas where the cost of living is above average. However, you can also pay higher prices in rural areas because it’s harder to find a pro who specializes in—or is even familiar with—shou sugi ban wood siding in remote locations, and because manufacturers are likely to be further away, requiring longer shipping times and higher shipping costs.
While you can install siding yourself, we recommend contacting a pro. Improper installation can decrease the lifespan of the siding and cost more money in the long run.
Additional Cost Factors
How much you’ll pay for shou sugi ban siding depends mostly on home size, wood species, and location, but there are several additional factors you should consider to get an accurate estimate.
Labor
Shou sugi ban siding costs between $2 and $5 per square foot for installation labor. It’s important to note that this doesn’t include applying the charred finish, as most of the time, you’ll be buying pre-finished wood. If you instead buy standard wood siding and hire a professional to char and install it, you’ll pay between $8 and $12 per square foot for labor. The higher cost is due to the longer siding installation timeline and the more labor-intensive process. It’s more affordable to buy the charred wood directly from a manufacturer or distributor.
Removal of Old Siding
Removing your existing siding will add between $1,000 and $3,000 to your total, which includes fees for hauling away and dumping it. You’ll pay closer to the lower end of that range if you have lightweight siding materials, like vinyl or aluminum, that are easy to remove, and you’ll pay closer to the higher end of that range if you have stucco, brick, or stone, which are heavy and more challenging to remove.
Permits
Permits for siding replacement cost anywhere from $100 to $500. You’ll need a permit to replace your siding in most municipalities, but you can check with your building department or siding pro to confirm if you need one for your project. The siding contractor you hire should pull the necessary building permit for you, but you’ll have to pay the permit fee.
Time of Year
The best time to replace siding is the fall, when temperatures are moderate and the risk of precipitation is relatively low. However, since most homeowners aim for the fall, siding contractors are usually busiest this time of year, and high demand can lead to slightly higher labor costs. You could save a few hundred dollars by opting for installation in the spring, and you may get a deal on material costs if you buy in the winter and wait to install your siding.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
It’s technically possible to install your own shou sugi ban siding, and doing so will save you between $3,400 and $8,500. If you’re really ambitious and have extensive experience with shou sugi ban finishes and siding installation, you can buy plain wood siding and then finish and install it yourself, which would save you between $20,400 and $39,100 if you opted for an affordable species, like pine.
However, while these savings may seem enticing, it’s best not to try to install shou sugi ban siding yourself. The installation process is labor-intensive, involves working at high heights, requires technical skills, and may warrant old siding removal.
It’s easy to make mistakes, and even minor errors can lead to leaks, water damage, structural issues, and mold growth that cost more to fix than you’d save by DIYing. Instead, contact a siding company near you to do the job safely and effectively so that you can get the most out of your new siding.
Shou Sugi Ban Siding Replacement vs. Repair
If you already have shou sugi ban siding on your home but are experiencing issues with it, you’ll need to decide between repairing what’s there or replacing it entirely. Repairs are always going to be more affordable than a replacement, but you’ll need to evaluate the value you get from each to decide which is best.
Generally speaking, you should replace your existing shou sugi ban siding if it’s older than 40 years, if you’ve been carrying out repairs regularly to maintain it, or if it has been giving you ongoing problems with leaks. Speak with a siding contractor who specializes in the siding style to see how the repair costs and replacement costs would compare.
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Repairs vs. New Siding | Repairs are 30% or less than replacement | Repairs are 50% or more than replacement |
| Age of Siding | Siding is less than 30 years old | Siding is older than 50 years |
| Siding Condition | Only aesthetic problems | Leaks, mold, or pest infestation |
How You Can Save Money While Installing Shou Sugi Ban Siding
Bargains make the world go round—or at least they should! If you're looking to save on shou sugi ban siding, here are some things you can consider.
Handle the finish yourself: Buy unfinished wood siding and take on the charring process as a DIY project. By doing so, you can save an average of over $11,000 on labor costs.
Source affordable wood: Look for deals on affordable wood species suitable for charring, such as cedar or pine. Buying wood in bulk or from local lumberyards might lead to cost savings.
Explore local suppliers: Pre-finished shou sugi ban siding isn’t widely available, so you may struggle to find manufacturers. Whenever possible, buy unfinished wood from local suppliers, mills, or woodworking shops; they might offer discounted prices or leftover wood pieces that you can use for charring.
Does Shou Sugi Ban Siding Increase Home Value?
Installing new siding will increase your home value, and upgrading to shou sugi ban siding can offer an even higher ROI than other siding materials. The average ROI for siding is around 70%, but high-end shou sugi ban siding can provide a return of up to 80% or 90%. Buyers who see this siding as a luxury option, especially in areas where moisture and heavy precipitation would otherwise reduce the value of wood siding, will likely pay more for it than for something like vinyl.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you properly maintain your shou sugi ban siding, it can last for 80 to 100 years, on average. You may see a shorter lifespan in areas where humidity and rainfall are common. You can help your home’s wood siding last longer by re-applying exterior polyurethane or a natural product like boiled linseed oil to add protection from moisture and by staying on top of repairs.
Yes, you can shou sugi ban existing siding, but it might pose a hazard to wooden structures, shouldn’t involve treated wood, and must be done by a siding professional. You can not char wood on a house without first removing the boards, so it’s a more complicated replacement project than other siding types.
You should consider acclimating the wood for your shou sugi ban siding for around two weeks before installation to balance its moisture content and prevent warping. That additional step will ensure your materials are prepped for installation, avoiding complex repairs down the line. Consult your siding contractor for additional installation instructions for this specialized material.
If you’re already paying for professional shou sugi ban charring and installation, you should also consider installing a wood-charred deck on your home to match. You may be able to order the materials in bulk and then hire a professional deck builder to use the specialized wood to create a wood-charred deck. You can also upgrade your window and door trim to something lighter to complement the darker siding color.
Pressure washing shou sugi ban siding is generally not a good idea. The charring process used in creating shou sugi ban siding involves burning the wood's surface to achieve its unique appearance and enhanced durability. The charred surface is delicate, and pressure washing can easily damage it. Instead of pressure washing, you can clean it with a soft brush or broom to remove loose debris, followed by a mixture of mild soap and water applied with a soft cloth or sponge.
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