Wood Siding

Wood siding is exterior cladding made from natural timber that protects your home while adding timeless curb appeal. Whether you're considering cedar shakes, clapboard, or board-and-batten styles, each option brings unique character and insulation benefits to your property. From installation and staining to repairs and replacement, Angi helps you connect with local pros and find the guidance you need for every wood siding project.
Wood Siding Service Articles and Advice
Clapboard siding is classic, reliable, and hardy, but these wooden boards can get damaged in poor conditions. Here’s how to do a DIY repair for clapboard siding.
While Dutch lap is a more detailed type of siding, clapboard is often less expensive and more widely used. If you're weighing these options against each other, our guide can help you decide which type makes the most sense for your home’s facade.
How much does clapboard siding cost? This guide reviews cost factors, prices per square foot, and more to help you plan your budget.
When comparing composite vs. engineered wood siding, both have pros and cons to consider. Stay tuned to find out which siding is best for your home.
Wondering how to calculate board and batten spacing? Use this calculator to help. Pay attention to the order in which you complete the calculations.
Clapboard or lap siding is one of the oldest modern exterior wall options. Let’s look at the pros and cons and if it’s a good fit for your home.
Wood siding is beautiful but requires maintenance. Here are 7 tips to help you keep your wood siding last longer.
Explore and address the challenges of bark siding with our guide, featuring the five most common bark siding problems.
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Common Wood Siding Service Questions

Wood siding requires an air gap behind it to allow water to drain out, and for air circulation and venting to allow humid air to escape and keep the material from rotting due to moisture. 

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.

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.

Vinyl, brick veneer, stucco, steel, stone veneer, and composite siding are popular alternatives to wood siding. Which siding material is best for your home boils down to your budget, aesthetics, lifestyle, and climate. For example, stone veneer offers a timeless charm and is low maintenance but may have too high of a price tag. Meanwhile, some homeowners love vinyl siding for its low cost, while others dislike it for its appearance and shorter life span.

Avoid toxic chemicals that can leach into nearby lawns, as well as household ingredients like vinegar that can ruin paint and sealants. Instead, look for a very light detergent or a dedicated exterior siding cleaner. In a pinch, you can use a basic dish or laundry soap, but we suggest sticking with a dedicated cleaner.

If your siding is struggling with algae or moss, which indicates moisture issues, look for an outdoor cleaner that’s specifically designed to clear moss and algae stains. This is also a sign that you need to seal your clapboard against further problems.