How Much Does Cedar Siding Cost to Install? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights:
  • Cedar siding installation for your 2,000-square-foot home costs $8,500 to $18,700, with the cedar species and your home size determining the final total.

  • Your siding style and wood grade affect labor time, with clapboard faster to install than board and batten or cedar shakes.

  • You should budget $1,000 to $3,000 for old siding removal, plus staining, treatments, and ongoing maintenance costs for your cedar.

  • Hiring a local lead testing and removal professional ensures your cedar siding project follows safety rules and finishes cleanly.

In 2026, the national 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, with cedar species, home size, and siding style driving the spread. Your total could fall as low as $6,000 for an affordable cedar species on a smaller home, or climb as high as $66,000 for a premium species on a larger house.

Cedar Siding Cost by Home Size: How Does Square Footage Affect Pricing?

Cedar siding costs $5 to $11 per square foot on average, so your wood siding costs scale directly with how much of your home you're covering. Many homeowners install cedar only on the front of their home to manage costs. Costs vary by home size, as the table below shows.

Home Square FootageAverage Cost Range for Front of Home Only in 2026Average Cost Range for Entire Home in 2026
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

Cedar Siding Material Costs: Which Type Fits Your Budget?

A cabin with cedar siding
Karin / Adobe Stock

The cedar species you choose is one of the biggest drivers of your total siding cost, with prices ranging from $3 to $11 per square foot depending on availability. Common domestic species like Eastern red cedar and Western red cedar sit at the affordable end, while less prevalent options like Spanish cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar can cost up to twice as much per square foot. Costs vary by species, as the table below shows.

Cedar SpeciesAverage Cost per Sq. Ft. in 2026
Alaskan yellow$9–$11
Eastern$5–$8
Spanish$6–$10
Western$3–$5

Cedar Siding Style Costs: How Do Different Styles Affect Price?

The type of wood siding you choose affects both material and labor costs, with styles ranging from $5 to $11 per square foot. Classic lap styles like clapboard and tongue and groove fall at the lower end because they are straightforward to install. Board and batten and cedar shakes cost more because each piece requires more time to fit and secure individually. Costs vary by style, as the table below shows.

StyleAverage Cost (per Sq. Ft.) in 2026
Clapboard$5–$7
Shiplap$5–$6
Tongue and Groove$5–$7
Board and Batten$6–$10
Shakes/Shingles$7–$11

Cedar Siding Costs by Location: Where Does It Cost the Most and Least?

Where you live affects cedar siding costs through both material availability and local labor rates, with installed prices ranging from $5 to $17 per square foot across the country. Choosing a species native to your region, such as Western red cedar on the West Coast, reduces transportation costs and keeps material prices lower. Contractors in high-cost-of-living markets like New York and California charge more per square foot than those in rural areas. Costs vary by location, as the table below shows.

LocationAverage Cedar Siding Cost (per Square Foot) in 2026
Arizona$5–$6
California$8–$16
Colorado$7–$13
Florida$7–$12
Indiana$6–$11
Louisiana$7–$13
Michigan$6.50–$11.50
New York$8–$17
Texas$7–$14

Cedar Siding Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Beyond size, species, and style, several additional factors influence your total cedar siding cost, including wood grade, existing siding removal, moisture treatment, and staining or painting costs.

Labor

Labor typically accounts for 40% to 60% of your total cedar siding installation cost, or $5,500 to $8,200 on average. Cedar shakes push labor toward the higher end of that range because each small shingle must be installed individually, while lap siding carries lower labor costs due to its faster installation process but comes with higher material costs.

Wood Grade

Cedar siding is sold in grades that reflect quality and appearance, but lumber grading is unregulated and varies by supplier, so it pays to understand what you are buying before committing. Regardless of the grading system used, premium lumber will cost more and deliver better curb appeal. Costs and characteristics vary by grade, as the table below shows.

Cedar Siding GradeExamplesAverage Cost Range (per Square Foot) in 2026ProsCons
ClearClear Vertical Grain Heartwood, Clear All Heart, A Clear$10–$30Highest quality, often from older and mature growth; free from defects like knots; modern aestheticMost expensive form of cedar siding
Mid“C and Better” or “D and Better”$5–$11Rustic look of knots with better performance and consistent visual quality; widely available; less expensive than premium optionsNot as visually refined; may have visible knots or color variation
KnottySelect Tight Knot, Architect Knotty, Standard & Better$4–$8Provides a rustic appearance due to its knots and natural imperfections; the most affordable option; naturally durableKnots might sometimes loosen, crack, or fall out over time; they can have a less uniform color and grain pattern

Removal of Existing Siding

Professional siding removal and haul-away costs $1,000 to $3,000, with vinyl siding at the lower end and stucco closer to the higher end. If you remove the old siding yourself to save on labor, you will still need to budget $240 to $500 for junk removal costs depending on the amount and type of material. Siding installed before 1978 may contain lead paint or asbestos, so get a professional inspection before proceeding: asbestos testing costs $230 to $785, and lead tests run around $300 (get quotes from multiple lead testers near you before moving forward).

Staining or Painting

4 types of cedar stains compared visually, including transparent, semitransparent, opaque, and colored
bruceman / E+ / Getty Images

Finishing your cedar siding protects it from the elements and gives it a more refined appearance, with the cost to stain cedar siding running $2 to $5 per square foot and painting totaling $3 to $6 per square foot for materials and labor. You can buy cedar siding pre-finished, but if you purchase untreated boards, plan to finish them before or after installation.

Special Treatments

Cedar is naturally more resistant to moisture and mold than most wood species, but protective treatments still add meaningful longevity to your siding. Expect to pay $1 to $4.50 per square foot for applications that guard against water, mold, insects, and fire, which totals $1,700 to $7,700 for a standard 2,000-square-foot home.

Excessive Windows and Doors

Homes with many windows and doors add labor time to a cedar siding project because the contractor must cut and fit trim around each opening and take extra care installing the waterproof barrier beneath the siding. The added cost is real but manageable, and the total premium for extra openings should not exceed $1,000.

Maintenance

Cedar siding requires more maintenance than most other siding types, so building long-term upkeep costs into your budget from the start will help you protect your investment and keep your home looking its best. Ongoing maintenance costs vary by task and frequency, as the table below shows.

Maintenance TypeFrequencyAverage Cost Range in 2026
FireproofingOnce$2,000–$5,000
Painting/stainingEvery 4-6 years$3,000–$10,500
Power washingEvery year$200–$500
RepairsAs needed$650–$2,700
SealingEvery 3-5 years$200–$500

Why You Should Hire a Siding Pro

DIY cedar siding installation is technically possible, and doing all of the work yourself would save you an average of between $5,500 and $8,200. While these savings are enticing, hiring a siding company near you is your best bet for maximum curb appeal and a proper installation that doesn't result in leaks, pest infestations, and other problems.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a siding pro

There are some important upsides you'll enjoy when you hire a professional for your cedar siding installation project:

  • Pros have the skills and experience required to get your siding just right, which will mean improved curb appeal and even a higher property value.

  • Experts will know if and when you need siding replacement permits and can ensure your project is legal.

  • Siding is your home's first line of defense against the elements, so DIY mistakes can be costly and result in water damage, wood rot, and even structural damage.

  • Experts can recommend finishes and treatments to maximize your siding's lifespan and safety, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall, high humidity, and wildfires.

If you want to DIY cedar siding installation

Only DIYers who have extensive experience with siding installation should consider tackling this project, but there are some smaller, related tasks that anyone can do to contribute and even save some money on labor costs.

  • Consider removing your old siding yourself and hauling it away, which could save between $1,000 and $3,000. Just be sure to coordinate with your pro.

  • Have your materials delivered early and stain or treat them before the installation to save time and money.

  • Prepare the work area for your pros, which can include cutting back vegetation and moving furniture and decor out of the way.

  • Tackle smaller projects after the installation, like putting up exterior trim or reinstalling decorative shutters.

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, 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.

Here's how cedar siding repair and replacement compare across key decision factors:

FactorRepairReplace
Cost of repairs vs. replacementRepair cost is under 30% of replacementRepair cost is 50% or higher than replacement
Age of sidingSiding is 10-15 years oldSiding is 25+ years old
Siding conditionSiding still adds to curb appealSiding is badly faded or moldy
Water damageFew areas where water intrusion occursExtensive water damage or mold growth
Cracks or splitsA few cracks with no water damageMany 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 with 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. Opting for a cedar species that grows in your area can save you thousands. For example, a local Eastern cedar or Western cedar can cost half what you'd pay for Alaskan yellow or Spanish cedar.

  • Install 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 per square foot, or between $3,400 and $10,200 total for a 2,000-square-foot home.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
  • Ask your professional about treatments, stains, and sealants they recommend to maximize siding lifespan in your climate.

  • Discuss alternative siding materials to make sure you’re choosing the right one for your home.

  • Ask your pro for maintenance tips to get the most life and value out of your siding.

  • Discuss any add-on services you want, like gutter and downspout installation, soffit and fascia replacement, or staining and fireproofing services.

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

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.

You should restain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and ensure maximum protection. The precise frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, the siding's exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the condition of the wood.

Homeowners in harsh climates with high humidity and significant direct sunlight should plan on restaining every three years, while those in milder locations can wait up to seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh environments, consider using an opaque stain.

If you're looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, vinyl or aluminum siding are options to consider. Although their installation cost may be higher, they don't require as much upkeep over time, which can provide more value, especially in areas with 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.

Similar to other types of wood siding consisting of natural materials, cedar siding should last 20 to 40 years. However, the lifespan for any wood siding, including cedar, can be far shorter without the proper repair and maintenance work. Don’t put off making repairs, or problems could worsen quickly. While you can repair minor holes and cracks in the siding shakes, rot and warping requires replacing the boards. 

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