How Much Does Wood Siding Installation Cost?
Last Updated: January 25, 2022
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Although more homeowners are choosing vinyl, fiber cement, hardboard, and other synthetic materials for their home siding, 100% real wood remains a top choice. Although it requires a fair amount of upkeep, the classic beauty of wood siding cannot be matched. And for those who want the look and feel of real wood in a more cost-effective package, engineered wood siding offers the perfect compromise. To learn more about wood and engineered wood, including how much they cost to install, continue reading.
Wood vs. Engineered Wood Siding #
Both wood and engineered wood have a number of distinct advantages. Below is a breakdown of each material and why you should consider it for your home siding projects. Wood Siding
Wood may be one of the most popular siding materials on the market, but the huge number of wood siding types and options can make it difficult to select a product. Use the following criteria to narrow down your choices:
- Species: While it's possible to make siding from virtually any type of wood, a number of species dominate. Pine, spruce, and fir are economical softwoods that hold a finish well but must be maintained more carefully because they aren't rot-resistant. Cedar siding, on the other hand, is superior in terms of moisture and insect resistance, while redwood sets the standard for woods with its deep texture and durability.
- Design: Most homeowners choose wood siding applied in horizontal clapboards, but shakes and shingles arranged horizontally are popular as well. Vertical board and batten siding is another option. Pre-primed boards offer added protection without the added labor.
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Engineered Wood Siding #
Engineered wood has a core made from sawdust or flakes that is infused with a bonding agent and compressed to provide strength. The pieces are treated to protect against the nemeses of real wood: pests and rot, and a wood-grain pattern coating provides the look of real wood.
In addition to being more moisture and insect resistant, engineered wood is simpler, and therefore cheaper, to install than wood siding. Many products come with a 25 or 30 year warrantee. Engineered wood siding options include not only pre-primed boards, but also boards that are pre-finished.
Wood Siding Costs #
The actual cost of wood siding depends on factors that include local material and labor costs and the complexity of the installation. The following prices are only meant as general estimates.
- In general you can expect to pay $5 to $10 per square foot for wood siding installation. For a home with 1,500 exterior square feet, that's a total cost of $7,500 to $15,000.
- Pine, spruce, and fir clapboards cost $5 to $6 per square foot installed.
- Clapboard cedar siding cost is $6 to $7 per square foot; cedar shake siding cost is $6 to $8 per square foot.
- Redwood siding costs $6 to $8 per square foot.
- Engineered wood siding costs approximately $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot, or $3,750 to $7,500 for 1,500 square feet.
- Removing old siding, if necessary for the new installation and not included in the estimate, could cost an additional $1 per square foot ($1,000 to $2,000 total).