How Much Does Cedar Siding Cost to Install?
Cedar siding costs $13,600 on average, and most homeowners pay between $8,500 and $18,700. Your home size and the specific cedar species you choose are the most important cost factors to consider.
Home size and the species of cedar you choose will affect your costs more than any other factor.
Cedar siding requires routine maintenance, so budget for ongoing costs in addition to the price of installation.
Treating cedar siding after installation for protection from fire, water, and pests will add $3,400 to your total, on average.
Expect to pay between $5 and $11 per square foot for new cedar siding or up to $30 per square foot for more exotic cedar species.
The average cost to install cedar siding on a 2,000-square-foot home is $13,600. Most homeowners pay between $8,500 and $18,700. Your total could sit as low as $6,000 for an affordable cedar species on a 1,000-square-foot home, but can climb as high as $66,000 for a more unique species on a 3,000-square-foot house. Expect to pay an average of $8 per square foot for materials and labor.
Home Size
Cedar siding costs between $5 and $11 per square foot, on average, and since you’ll be paying per square foot or per siding square (100 square feet), your wood siding costs will depend mostly on the size of your home.
Many homeowners just install cedar on the front of a home to boost curb appeal and save on total installation costs. The average U.S. home is 2,000 square feet with two stories and has a front face that measures 640 square feet. Buying and installing cedar siding to cover just the front of this home will cost between $3,200 and $7,100. If you’re looking to add cedar siding to the entirety of a 2,000-square-foot home, you’ll pay between $8,500 and $18,700.
| Home Square Footage | Cost for Front of Home Only | Cost for Entire Home |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,600–$3,600 | $6,000–$13,200 |
| 1,500 | $2,400–$5,400 | $12,800–$28,000 |
| 2,000 | $3,200–$7,100 | $8,500–$18,700 |
| 2,500 | $4,000–$9,000 | $9,800-$21,500 |
| 3,000 | $4,800–$10,800 | $11,000–$24,200 |
Material Type
The type of cedar you select for your siding significantly affects your overall costs. A standard cedar species that grows abundantly in the U.S., like Eastern red cedar or Western red cedar, will be the most affordable options. Less prevalent and non-native species, like Spanish cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar, can cost up to twice as much per square foot.
| Cedar Species | Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Alaskan yellow | $9-$11 |
| Eastern | $5-$8 |
| Spanish | $6-$10 |
| Western | $3-$5 |
Siding Style
The type of wood siding you choose is another important factor that can affect material and labor costs. The classic “lap styles” of siding, like clapboard and tongue and groove, are the easiest to install and fall within the average price ranges per square foot. Board and batten, shingles, and cedar shakes are more expensive because they take longer to install.
| Style | Average Cost (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Clapboard | $5 – $7 |
| Shiplap | $5 – $6 |
| Tongue and Groove | $5 – $7 |
| Board and Batten | $6 – $10 |
| Shakes/Shingles | $7 – $11 |
Additional Cost Factors
There are some other factors that can influence the cost as well, including grades, existing siding removal, moisture treatment, and staining or painting costs.
Labor
Labor accounts for between 40% and 60% of your total installation costs, or between $5,500 and $8,200, on average. For siding styles like cedar shakes, material costs tend to be lower, but labor costs will push toward the higher end of this range because your contractor will need to install small shingles individually. Lap siding will come with lower labor costs because it’s easier and faster to install, but material costs are higher.
Wood Grade
Cedar, like other woods, has grades to indicate its quality and appearance. Grading in the lumber industry is unregulated and complex, and different types of wood can have their own grading system. Regardless of your supplier, though, premium lumber will cost more but provide better curb appeal. Below are some factors to look out for when it comes to cedar siding grading.
Premium “clear” grades signify that the cedar is from older, mature growth and free from defects such as knots. These include Clear Heart, Clear Vertical Grain Heart, and A Clear, and they’re the most expensive forms of cedar siding.
Mid grades such as “C and Better” or “D and Better” have small imperfections in the wood, but nothing major. The material costs for these are average, between $5 and $11 per square foot, including labor.
Knotty grades like Select Tight Knot or Select Knotty are from fast-growth trees and are best suited to a rustic finish. They can have many knots or other defects running along the boards. However, they cost half as much as premium-grade cedar siding.
Removal of Existing Siding
Expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for professionals to remove existing siding and haul it away. You’ll pay closer to the lower end for easy-to-remove vinyl siding, while removing stucco will cost closer to the higher end.
You can DIY siding removal to save money, but you’ll still need to pay to dump the material. Junk removal costs between $240 and $500 for siding, depending on the amount of siding and the type.
A Note on Safety: If you have painted siding that was installed before 1978, you might have lead paint or asbestos to contend with. If you have concerns about either of these factors, get a professional lead or asbestos inspection. Asbestos testing costs from $230 to $785, and lead tests are around $300 (get quotes from multiple lead testers near you before moving forward). If either is present, it’s best to have them professionally removed.
Staining or Painting
The cost to stain cedar siding ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot, and painting totals between $3 and $6 per square foot for materials and labor.
Staining or painting wood siding can significantly increase its longevity and give it a finished, more refined appearance. You can purchase cedar siding already finished, but if you buy untreated siding, you’ll need to finish it before or after installation.
Special Treatments
Cedar is more resilient to moisture and mold than most other wood species, but it’s still a good idea to treat your siding to stand up better to the elements. You’ll pay between $1 and $4.50 per square foot for applications that protect against water, mold, insects, and fire. For a standard 2,000-square-foot home, these treatments can total between $1,700 and $7,700.
Excessive Windows and Doors
Houses with more windows and doors require more work when it comes to siding installation, as the contractor will need to cut and install trim around each opening. It also requires a little more work when installing the waterproof barrier beneath the exposed siding. This can increase overall labor costs, but the total added to your price shouldn’t exceed $1,000.
Maintenance
Cedar siding needs more maintenance than most other types of siding, so it’s a good idea to budget for long-term maintenance costs to keep your home protected and looking clean.
| Maintenance Type | Frequency | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fireproofing | Once | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Painting/staining | Every 4-6 years | $3,000–$10,500 |
| Power washing | Every year | $200–$500 |
| Repairs | As needed | $650–$2,700 |
| Sealing | Every 3-5 years | $200–$500 |
DIY Cedar Siding Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
You can save between $5,500 and $8,200, on average, by installing cedar siding yourself on a 2,000-square-foot home that requires around 1,700 square feet of materials.
However, although it’s possible to install cedar siding without the help of a professional, it’s time-consuming and requires a high level of skill. If you don’t fasten the siding properly, have improper spacing, or have problems with flashing or caulking, you could have issues further down the road, including leaks and water damage, leading to an expensive and inconvenient fix.
It’s best to hire a local siding professional to make sure everything is secured and waterproofed properly. Going with a pro will also ensure maximum curb appeal for years to come.
Cedar Siding Replacement vs. Repair
If you already have cedar siding on your home, you’ll need to decide if it’s a better idea to repair what’s there or replace it. Siding repair costs between $4 and $13 per square foot for cedar siding, on average, so the cost of repair is similar to the cost of replacement on a per-square-foot basis.
For small sections of siding that are damaged or worn, repair is a much more affordable option. However, cedar changes appearance as it ages, and your new siding won’t match. For maximum curb appeal, full replacement is a better option. Before you hire a siding pro, ask for repair and replacement estimates. Replacement is probably best if your old siding is reaching its useful lifespan or if repairs cost more than 50% of a total replacement.
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of repairs vs. replacement | Repair cost is under 30% of replacement | Repair cost is 50% or higher than replacement |
| Age of siding | Siding is 10-15 years old | Siding is 25+ years old |
| Siding condition | Siding still adds to curb appeal | Siding is badly faded or moldy |
| Water damage | Few areas where water intrusion occurs | Extensive water damage or mold growth |
| Cracks or splits | A few cracks with no water damage | Many cracks and resulting water damage |
Does Cedar Siding Add Value to Your Home
Yes, cedar siding will add value to your home, and it provides an average ROI of 70%, which is standard for all new siding projects. Given the average cost to install cedar siding, you can expect a value bump of $9,500.
The ROI you’ll see from cedar siding depends heavily on your location. Cedar is more resilient to water damage and mold growth than other species, but buyers in areas where high humidity and heavy rainfall may see wood siding as more of a liability than an asset. Similarly, wood siding is highly combustible, so buyers may shy away from it in areas prone to wildfires. In these cases, your ROI could be significantly lower based on buyer appeal.
How to Save Money on Cedar Siding Installation
Wood siding can cost more than stucco, vinyl, engineered wood, brick veneer, and certain metal siding options, but if you love the traditional look of cedar shakes or lap siding, you can use the following tips to keep prices down and close that cost gap a bit.
Choose an affordable species of cedar. Choosing a cedar species that grows in your area can save you thousands of dollars. Going with local Eastern cedar or Western cedar can cost half what you’d pay for Alaskan yellow or Spanish cedar.
Opt for cedar just on the front of your home. For a standard 2,000-square-foot house, you’ll save an average of $8,400. However, you may also need to factor in the cost of replacing siding on the sides and rear of your home.
Remove the old siding yourself. Removing old siding before your contractor comes to install new cedar siding will save an average of $2,000, minus the dumping fees in your area.
DIY painting and staining. Painting and staining cedar yourself is time-consuming, but you’ll save between $2 and $6, or between $3,400 and $10,200 for a 2,000-square-foot home.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is possible to install new siding over old siding, but ideally, you’ll want to remove the old siding first to minimize problems with rot, vermin, and insects. Leaving the old siding up also means that the delineation of doors and windows will be less noticeable, and this isn’t always a good thing in terms of aesthetics. Take advice from a reputable local siding contractor before deciding which option is right for you.
You can calculate the required square footage of siding you need by measuring the height and width of your home’s rectangular exterior walls. For the triangular-shaped gable walls, measure the height from the ground to the tallest gable point to make sure you have enough for good coverage. Once you have combined the totals for each wall, add another 10% to account for wasted materials. It’s also good to have extra siding on hand to tackle wood siding repair down the road.
Cedar siding lasts for 20 to 40 years, on average, if you carry out regular maintenance. In areas where moisture and precipitation aren’t severe, you could get 50 to 70 years of life out of your cedar siding. To extend the lifespan, inspect it multiple times a year for cracks, fungus, bubbling, and other signs of damage. Clean it annually, make sure it’s painted or stained (and then sealed), and keep foliage away from the siding.
You should restain or repaint cedar siding every four to six years, depending on weather conditions and the starting quality of the wood. If you want a lower maintenance option, opt for vinyl or aluminum siding. Although the cost to install more resilient siding can be slightly more expensive, they don’t need as much maintenance and can provide more value over time, especially in areas that see excessive rainfall or high humidity.
Yes, cedar is a popular option for shou sugi ban siding, which is a Japanese style of charring wood for a home’s exterior to finish and protect the material. Cedar shou sugi ban siding costs $15 per square foot on average, but ranges between $2 and $25 per square foot depending on your home’s size, the price of labor, and where you live.
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