Wood 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.
Wood siding cost runs about $8 – $18 per square foot installed, so a typical 1,500 square foot project lands around $12,000 – $27,000. The final price depends on wood species, clear or knotty grade, siding profile, stain or paint finish, back priming, trim work, moisture clearances, and local labor rates.
Wood siding is a broad category that can include cedar, pine, redwood, lap siding, board and batten, shingles, shakes, and T1-11 panels. It offers a natural exterior look, but it needs better moisture control and more long-term maintenance than vinyl, aluminum, or many manufactured siding products.
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 adding wood siding to an accent area, measure just that section.
Cost Calculator
Wood Siding Cost Calculator
Wood siding cost depends on species, clear or knotty grade, profile, stain or paint finish, back priming, moisture clearances, trim work, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 1,500 sq. ft.
$12,000 – $27,000
About $8 – $18 per sq. ft.
Get Free Local Quotes| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $5,250 | $11,250 |
| Labor | $6,750 | $15,750 |
| Estimated installed cost | $12,000 | $27,000 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $8 | $18 |
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.
Wood Siding Cost vs Value
Wood Siding may recover about 55%–75% of its cost.
Bottom line: Wood siding can improve curb appeal with a natural exterior finish, but the value depends on species, grade, finish quality, climate, and whether the homeowner is ready for long-term maintenance.
Worth it: Homes where real wood, cedar, shingles, board and batten, or a natural painted or stained exterior fits the design.
Skip it: Homes where lower maintenance is more important than natural wood appearance or where vinyl, fiber cement, or engineered wood meets the goal for less upkeep.
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
Wood siding quotes can vary a lot because species, grade, profile, and finish all change the number. Clear cedar lap siding and basic plywood panel siding are not the same project.
My rule of thumb: compare the wood grade, finish plan, trim package, and moisture details before comparing square-foot pricing.
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:
- Species: confirm cedar, pine, redwood, plywood, or another wood product.
- Grade: ask if the material is clear, knotty, finger-jointed, primed, or appearance grade.
- Profile: confirm lap siding, board and batten, shingles, shakes, or panel siding.
- Finish: ask if the price includes stain, paint, primer, or factory-applied coating.
- Back priming: confirm whether the back side and cut edges are sealed before install.
- Moisture clearances: ask how the crew will handle grade, rooflines, decks, flashing, and splash zones.
- Buffer: budget an extra 10% to 20% for rot, sheathing repairs, trim changes, or finish upgrades.
Surprise Costs That Move the Price
These are the items that push a wood siding quote above the basic price range, and roughly what they add.
| Item | Why It Adds Cost | Typical Add |
|---|---|---|
| Old siding removal | Tear-off adds labor, disposal, and repair risk | $1 – $2 per sq. ft. |
| Rotten sheathing | Soft plywood or OSB must be replaced before new siding goes on | $125 – $250 per 4×8 sheet |
| Clear grade wood | Cleaner boards cost more than knotty or utility grades | $2 – $5 per sq. ft. |
| Stain or paint | Wood siding needs a protective finish after install unless factory finished | $1.50 – $5 per sq. ft. |
| Trim upgrades | Corners, fascia, window trim, and transition boards add material and labor | $800 – $3,000+ |
| Moisture corrections | Bad flashing, low clearance, or water damage must be fixed before new wood siding | Varies by area |
Wood Siding Cost by Type
| Type | Installed Cost per sq. ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood or T1-11 panels | $8 – $13 | Budget wood siding and simple wall layouts |
| Wood lap siding | $9 – $16 | Traditional full-home siding |
| Board and batten | $10 – $18 | Vertical farmhouse-style walls |
| Cedar shingles | $11 – $18 | Gables, accents, and coastal-style homes |
| Clear cedar siding | $13 – $20 | Premium natural wood exteriors |
Wood Siding Cost by Project Size
The larger the project, the more 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. | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $12,000 – $27,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $16,000 – $36,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $20,000 – $45,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $24,000 – $54,000 |
| 3,500 sq. ft. | $28,000 – $63,000 |
Is Wood Siding Worth It?
Wood siding is worth it when the home benefits from a natural exterior, stained finish, historic look, or higher-end curb appeal.
It may not be worth it if low maintenance is the main goal. Fiber cement, engineered wood, vinyl, or composite siding may offer a similar look with less routine upkeep.
References – Wood Siding Cost
- Material Pricing: Wood Siding Products, Home Depot
- Material Pricing: Wood Siding and Exterior Materials, Lowe’s
- Product Reference: Western Red Cedar Siding Grades
- 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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