Redwood siding cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Redwood siding cost runs about $12 – $22 per square foot installed, so a typical 1,500 square foot project lands around $18,000 – $33,000. The final price depends on redwood grade, heartwood versus sapwood content, siding pattern, regional availability, stain or clear finish, end-grain sealing, back priming, and local labor rates.
Redwood siding is a premium type of wood siding. It costs more than basic wood siding because the species, grade, supply, finish quality, and long-term maintenance expectations all matter.
Enter your ZIP code and square footage to estimate your project.
Not sure what square footage to enter? Use the outside wall area being covered, not indoor living space. If you are replacing one elevation or using redwood as an accent material, measure just that section.
Cost Calculator
Redwood Siding Cost Calculator
Redwood siding cost depends on redwood species, heartwood versus sapwood, clear or knotty grade, bevel or shiplap pattern, regional availability, finish, UV weathering, end-grain sealing, back priming, moisture clearances, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 1,500 sq. ft.
$18,000 – $33,000
About $12 – $22 per sq. ft.
Get Free Local Quotes| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $8,250 | $14,250 |
| Labor | $9,750 | $18,750 |
| Estimated installed cost | $18,000 | $33,000 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $12 | $22 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Redwood Siding Cost vs Value
Redwood Siding may recover about 52%–70% of its cost.
Bottom line: Redwood siding can add premium natural wood curb appeal, but the value depends on grade, finish quality, regional availability, maintenance, and whether buyers in the area value redwood enough to justify the premium.
Worth it: Homes where redwood species, clear or knotty boards, stained natural wood, and a premium exterior finish fit the design and market.
Skip it: Homes where lower maintenance, easier sourcing, or broader resale appeal matters more than using real redwood siding.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
Contractor Reality Check
Redwood siding is not usually the budget choice. The quote depends heavily on grade, board pattern, regional supply, finish plan, and whether the home actually benefits from a premium natural wood exterior.
My rule of thumb: price redwood against cedar, engineered wood, and fiber cement before paying the premium.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
A good quote is easy to read. If any of these are missing or vague, ask before you commit:
- Grade: confirm clear, knotty, finger-jointed, heartwood, sapwood, or mixed-grade material.
- Pattern: ask if the quote is for bevel, shiplap, tongue and groove, board and batten, or another profile.
- Availability: confirm lead time, local supply, and whether substitutions are allowed.
- Finish: ask if the price includes stain, clear coat, paint, primer, or factory finish.
- UV exposure: confirm how the finish will handle sun, fading, and natural weathering.
- End cuts: ask how field cuts, butt joints, and end grain will be sealed.
- Buffer: budget an extra 10% to 20% for waste, trim repairs, finish upgrades, or sourcing changes.
Surprise Costs That Move the Price
These are the items that push a redwood siding quote above the basic price range, and roughly what they add.
| Item | Why It Adds Cost | Typical Add |
|---|---|---|
| Premium grade redwood | Clearer boards and higher-grade material cost more than mixed or finger-jointed stock | $3 – $7 per sq. ft. |
| Regional sourcing | Redwood may be harder to source outside some markets | Varies by location |
| Stain or clear finish | Redwood needs a finish plan if you want to control color and weathering | $1.50 – $5 per sq. ft. |
| Back priming or sealing | Sealing backs, cuts, and end grain adds prep time and material | $1 – $3 per sq. ft. |
| Trim upgrades | Corners, windows, fascia, and transitions add material and labor | $800 – $3,000+ |
| Old siding removal | Tear-off adds labor, disposal, and repair risk | $1 – $2 per sq. ft. |
Redwood Siding Cost by Type
| Type | Installed Cost per sq. ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood bevel siding | $12 – $20 | Traditional horizontal wood exteriors |
| Redwood shiplap siding | $13 – $22 | Clean horizontal lines and tight profiles |
| Redwood tongue and groove | $14 – $22 | Premium walls, porch areas, and accent sections |
| Clear redwood siding | $15 – $24 | High-visibility walls and premium natural finishes |
| Redwood repair sections | Varies by project | Replacing damaged boards only |
Redwood Siding Cost by Project Size
The larger the project, the more redwood boards, trim, finish, flashing, removal, cleanup, and labor the job needs. These examples use estimated siding square footage, not indoor living space.
| Project Size | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $18,000 – $33,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $24,000 – $44,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $30,000 – $55,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $36,000 – $66,000 |
Is Redwood Siding Worth It?
Redwood siding is worth it when the home benefits from a premium natural wood exterior and the local market values redwood enough to justify the higher cost.
It may not be worth it if lower maintenance, easier sourcing, or broader resale appeal matters more. Cedar, engineered wood, fiber cement, or composite siding may be easier to price, install, and maintain.
References – Redwood Siding Cost
- Material Pricing: Redwood Lumber Products, Home Depot
- Material Pricing: Lumber and Exterior Materials, Lowe’s
- Material Reference: Wood Durability and Protection, USDA Forest Products Laboratory
- Material Reference: Wood Finishing and Exterior Use, USDA Forest Products Laboratory
- Labor Wage Data: Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Labor Burden Data: Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated: 6/19/26
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