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You should plan to stain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and provide maximum protection, though some estimates suggest a range of four to six years. The exact frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the overall condition and quality of the wood.

For homes in harsh climates with high humidity and significant sun exposure, you should plan on staining as often as every three years, while those in milder locations may only need to do so every seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh climates, consider using an opaque stain.

If you are looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, you might consider vinyl or aluminum siding. While the initial installation cost can be higher, they do not require as much upkeep and can offer more value over time, especially in areas with excessive rainfall or high humidity.

The living space of a home doesn’t correlate directly with how many square feet of siding you’ll need, but on average, a 2,000-square-foot home will need 1,700 square feet of siding or 17 squares of siding. Your siding measurements will vary depending on the layout of your home, the number of stories, the size of your doors and windows, and even your roof style.

For the materials alone, a square of siding costs an average of $600, but prices can range from $100 to $3,000, depending on the material. Vinyl siding costs toward the lower end of that range, while real brick or stone siding costs closer to the higher end. Keep in mind that many boxes of siding contain two squares, enough to cover 200 square feet, so you may need to double your cost if you only need one square.

Yes, clapboard siding generally costs more compared to vinyl. The average cost for vinyl siding is between $2 and $7 per square foot. Meanwhile, clapboard siding costs $4 to $20 per square foot.