Wood siding costs an average of about $12,500 installed, with most projects between $7,000 and $23,000, according to Angi[1]. Per square foot, HomeGuide puts wood siding at $5 to $15 installed[2]. Species, style and grade cause most of the spread: knotty pine sits at the low end and clear cedar or redwood near the top.
Estimate your project in the siding cost calculator (wood preset) →
Wood siding cost by home size
Angi's installed ranges by home size[1]:
| Home size | Installed cost (Angi) |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $4,740 – $15,800 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $5,250 – $15,800 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $7,500 – $23,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $9,000 – $26,000 |
Angi notes premium projects can reach about $57,500[1]. For cedar specifically, This Old House estimates $17,550 for a 1,500 sq ft home and $23,400 for a 2,000 sq ft home, at an average of $11.70 per sq ft[3]. Angi's cedar guide puts a 2,000 sq ft home at $8,500–$18,700, averaging $13,600[4].
Cost by wood species
Two views of species pricing: HomeGuide gives installed prices and Angi gives material-only prices.
| Species | Installed / sq ft (HomeGuide) | Material only / sq ft (Angi) |
|---|---|---|
| Pine | $3 – $11[2] | $1 – $5[1] |
| Fir (incl. Douglas fir) | $4 – $12[2] | $3 – $5[1] |
| Cypress | $4 – $16[2] | $5 – $12[1] |
| Cedar | $6 – $16[2] | $3 – $30[1] |
| Redwood | $6 – $18[2] | $4 – $20[1] |
| Hardwoods | $7 – $26+[2] | $5 – $20[1] |
| T1-11 plywood panels | $2.50 – $8[2] | — |
| Engineered wood | $7 – $12[2] | — |
Cedar is the most popular natural wood siding because it resists rot and insects better than pine and takes stain well. Redwood has similar natural resistance but costs more outside the West. Pine and fir are budget choices that need diligent sealing. If you want a wood look with less upkeep, compare engineered wood (LP SmartSide).
Cost by siding style
Installation style changes both the material count and the labor time. Angi's installed prices per square foot[1]:
| Style | Installed / sq ft |
|---|---|
| Board and batten | $5 – $14 |
| Tongue and groove | $7 – $20 |
| Shingle | $7.50 – $21 |
| Shiplap | $8.50 – $21 |
| Shake | $8.50 – $23 |
| Log | $9 – $25 |
For cedar shapes, HomeGuide lists shakes at $7–$16, shingles at $6–$15 and clapboard at $6–$12 per sq ft installed[5].
Grade matters as much as species
Wood is sold in grades based on knots, grain and defects. Angi's material ranges per square foot: low grade $1–$3, mid grade $2–$12 and premium $3–$30[1]. This Old House gives cedar-specific grades: knotty cedar about $2.50–$5, mid-grade $5–$15 and premium clear cedar $10–$30 per sq ft[3]. A knotty "rustic" grade can cut material cost dramatically on a cabin or farmhouse look, while clear vertical-grain boards are what drive five-figure cedar quotes.
Labor and installation costs
Angi puts wood siding at about $1–$5 per sq ft for materials plus $2–$5 per sq ft for labor, with labor usually 20%–50% of the total[1]. Expect these extra line items[1]:
- Old siding removal: $1,000–$3,000 (about $0.25–$0.75 per sq ft)
- Moisture barrier / house wrap: $0.50–$2 per sq ft
- Trim: $2–$7 per linear ft; soffit and fascia $3–$8 per linear ft
- Staining or painting: $1–$3 per sq ft ($700–$3,000 for a typical project)
- Permits: $150–$2,000 depending on location
Wood should be primed or sealed on all sides (back-priming) before installation and needs a drainage gap or rainscreen in wet climates. Ask your installer how they handle both.
Maintenance and lifetime cost
Wood siding typically lasts 20–40 years with regular maintenance (Angi)[1], and Angi says the return on new siding can reach about 80%, though it is often lower where wood maintenance is a problem, such as coastal and very humid areas[1]. The trade-off is upkeep. Plan to re-stain or repaint every several years, at $1–$3 per sq ft each time[1]. Repairs on wood siding average about $9.50 per sq ft (Angi), and Angi's siding repair guide lists wood repairs at $4–$13 per sq ft[6]. Dry-rot repair runs $5–$40 per sq ft[6], so catching failing paint early saves money. See siding repair cost.
Wood vs. vinyl, fiber cement and engineered wood
| Material | Installed / sq ft | Lifespan (Angi) | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | $5 – $15 (HomeGuide)[2] | 20 – 40 yrs[7] | High: stain or paint every few years |
| Vinyl | $3 – $12 (Angi)[7] | 20 – 40 yrs[7] | Low: wash |
| Fiber cement | $5 – $14 (Angi)[7] | ~50 yrs[7] | Moderate: repaint every 10–15 yrs[8] |
| Engineered wood | $4 – $13 (Angi)[9] | 20 – 30 yrs[9] | Moderate: repaint about every 10 yrs[9] |
If you were weighing vinyl vs. wood, vinyl wins on up-front price and maintenance, while wood wins on authenticity, repairability and curb appeal on historic homes. For a 2,000 sq ft home, This Old House's Homewyse averages are $12,252 for vinyl vs. $23,400 for cedar[10].
Repairing wood siding instead
Damage on just a few boards rarely justifies re-siding. Angi's repair guide puts wood siding repairs at $4–$13 per sq ft[6], and its wood siding guide puts typical repairs at about $9.50 per sq ft, up to $30 for extensive work[1]. Rot that reaches the sheathing or framing changes the math. At that point, replacing the affected wall, or the whole house, may cost less than repeated patching. Use our siding repair cost guide to compare.
Questions to ask a wood siding installer
- Is the wood kiln-dried, and will boards be primed or sealed on all sides (back-primed) before installation?
- Will there be a ventilated gap or rainscreen behind the siding so moisture can dry out?
- What fasteners will you use? Corrosion-resistant nails help prevent staining on cedar and redwood.
- Is finishing (stain or paint) included, and how many coats? Angi prices staining or painting at $1–$3 per sq ft[1].
- How will you handle clearance from the ground, roofline and decks, where wood rots first?
Estimate your wood siding project
Measure your wall area, then use the siding cost calculator (wood preset) for a ballpark. Next, adjust for species and grade using the tables above. Get at least three itemized quotes that name the species, grade, profile, finish and warranty. See also cost to side a house.
Sources
- Angi, "How Much Does Wood Siding Cost to Install? [2026 Data]", Taylor Freitas (updated Oct 16, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Wood Siding Cost", HomeGuide (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- This Old House, "Cedar Siding Cost", This Old House (updated Jun 5, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does Cedar Siding Cost?", Dan Simms (Jul 9, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Cedar Siding Cost", HomeGuide (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair Siding? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Oct 14, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Install Siding? [2026 Data]", Rachel Hoffman (updated Oct 9, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Hardie Board Siding Cost", Tara Farmer (Oct 24, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does Engineered Wood Siding Cost? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Jul 20, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- This Old House, "Siding Replacement Cost (2026 Pricing) (Homewyse data)", Alexis Carthan (updated Jun 12, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How to get and compare siding estimates →
More cost guides
Prices on this page are third-party figures as published by each source, with the date we accessed them. Sources measure different scopes (some include tear-off, trim and soffit), so ranges are shown side by side, not averaged. The calculator uses SidingCostEstimate editorial estimate rates. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How much does wood siding cost per square foot?
HomeGuide puts wood siding at $5–$15 per sq ft installed. Angi splits it into $1–$5 for materials plus $2–$5 for labor. Premium cedar and redwood can go higher. Sources accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How much does cedar siding cost for a whole house?
This Old House estimates $17,550 for a 1,500 sq ft home and $23,400 for 2,000 sq ft (average $11.70 per sq ft). Angi's cedar guide gives $8,500–$18,700 for a 2,000 sq ft home.
What is the cheapest wood siding?
Pine and T1-11 plywood panels are the lowest-cost options: HomeGuide lists pine at $3–$11 and T1-11 at $2.50–$8 per sq ft installed.
Is wood siding more expensive than vinyl?
Generally yes. This Old House's Homewyse averages for a 2,000 sq ft home are $12,252 for vinyl vs. $23,400 for cedar, and wood needs regular staining or painting.
How long does wood siding last?
Angi lists 20–40 years with regular maintenance. Rot-resistant species like cedar and redwood, a good finish and proper flashing extend its life.