The cost of shiplap ranges between $500 and $1,700 to cover the walls of a 200-square-foot room. On average, expect the project to cost about $1,000.
It’s not only home renovation shows that love shiplap: Many homeowners do, too. Shiplap can add texture, character, and a focal point to any room—or even make for beautiful siding. The average interior shiplap wall costs between $500 and $1,700 for a 200-square-foot room, with the average cost being $1,000.
Shiplap boards cost between $2.50 and $7 per square foot, ranging based on the type of wood, your geographical region, and the type of materials you choose.
It costs between $1,000 and $1,700 for a professional to install shiplap in a 200-square-foot interior room. Because contractors get discounted supplies and usually already have the tools, it can make financial sense to hire a contractor for the job.
You might also be able to save on contractor costs if you do certain work yourself, like prepping the walls or reattaching your baseboards. For interior shiplap, hire a local indoor trim carpenter. Some local general contractors may also install shiplap.
It costs between $2,800 and $7,500 on average for 1,000 square feet of siding installation, which is the typical exterior size of an average 2,700-square-foot home. To calculate accurate square footage of your home’s exterior, subtract the surface area of your windows and doors where you won’t need siding.
Installing shiplap yourself costs between $500 and $1,400 for a 200-square-foot room, depending on the tools and materials you already have. Add nails, a nail gun, spackle, wood filler, a level, a stud finder, underlayment, and finish to your shopping list to complete your shiplap installation. Tool and material costs vary based on geographical location and how much you need.
The total project time for DIY shiplap depends on your experience with home renovations and wall installation, along with the amount of preparation your wall needs. Be sure to measure accurately and install carefully to ensure your shiplap looks even and neat.
Because shiplap siding is more challenging and may require a permit, you may want to hire a local siding contractor for the job or a contractor who handles exterior jobs like roofing and siding near you.
Depending on your budget and style, you may be able to achieve a stunning accent wall in your living room or side your whole house with shiplap. Here are some estimates of what you can do with your budget:
You can install 200 square feet of hardwood or pine shiplap in an interior room, equal to two walls in an 11-by-11-foot room with 9-foot ceilings. This budget is great for adding shiplap as an accent wall in a bedroom, dining room, or living room.
Your project can cover 500 square feet of hardwood or pine shiplap, equal to four walls in an 11-foot-by-14-foot room with 10-foot ceilings. Imagine your whole living room or family room with shiplap.
For this budget, you can install 600 square feet of cedar shiplap, equal to four walls in a 12-by-15-foot room with 11-foot ceilings, such as your great room or family room.
You can cover two full rooms with shiplap or about 800 square feet of cedar shiplap, equal to eight walls in two 11-by-14-foot rooms with 8-foot ceilings.
Redo the siding of a 1,000-square-foot home, equal to the average outside surface area of a 2,700-square-foot-home, minus doors and windows.
Shiplap walls and siding costs are largely made up of materials and labor, but you’ll also need some extra supplies to complete the job. A contractor usually includes these supplies in their costs, but it’s best to double-check.
Below is an estimated cost breakdown for shiplap installation in a 12-by-14 foot room with approximately 168 square feet of wall.
Expect to pay $420 to $1,176 for shiplap boards, depending primarily on the type of wood. Shiplap can be cedar, pine, plywood, redwood, and more.
The average cost for a carpenter is $35 an hour according to HomeAdvisor, while siding labor costs approximately $1 to $4 per square foot.
You’ll pay $75 to $90 total for the wooden material that can be put on the wall before you lay your shiplap.
Two 5-pound boxes of nails are usually from $2 to $6 and are essential to your project’s success.
You’ll need one or two 8 ounce buckets of wall spackle, costing about $10 to 20.
Before you nail in your shiplap boards, primer is great for smoothing the walls. You’ll need approximately 4 to 5 gallons, which should cost between $100 and $125.
To cover imperfections in the shiplap, you’ll use wood filler or putty. Estimate $15 to 20 in your budget for putty.
Your finish adds color and a final touch to the shiplap walls. The cost for the finish will range from $22 to $26.
Consider additional costs if you need to repair your drywall first. The national average cost for drywall repair is $535. If you’re doing shiplap siding, you may also need to pay for a building permit.
The main factor influencing the cost of shiplap is the type of wood, but also the thickness of the boards and if they’re prefinished or not.
Hardwood ranges from $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot. Cedar prices are usually $2.50 to $7 per square foot, while pine is between $2.75 and $3.75 per square foot.
Shiplap is available in many lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Thicker shiplap boards cost more than thinner ones.
The larger the square footage, the more expensive the project. If you have doors or windows on a shiplap wall, more precise measurements and labor are necessary.
It’s more expensive to install shiplap siding on a home’s exterior than its interior, due to the extra labor needed to cover such a large surface area.
Removing fixtures or old siding adds more time and money to the project.
Prefinished shiplap boards come primed or primed and painted. They cost more than plain boards but save you time. You can also paint shiplap yourself.
A more luxury finish costs more, but it protects your shiplap better and longer.
Drywall is slightly cheaper than shiplap, with drywall costing $1,000 to $1,200 for an average 200-square-foot room, while shiplap costs $1,000 to $1,700 for the same size room professionally installed. Save your renovation budget by drywalling three of your walls and using shiplap as an accent wall.
Prep the area: Remove baseboards, outlet covers, and nails. Repair drywall to ensure you start with a smooth surface.
Paint the walls: Give your wall a fresh coat to either match or contrast your shiplap.
Measure the walls: Take detailed measurements of the height and width of your wall.
Mark the studs: Use a stud finder and mark the locations of your vertical studs, so you can attach your shiplap in the most sturdy place.
Cut the shiplap: Ensure you have the right length, and make stagger cuts if you prefer that style.
Draw guidelines: With a level and pencil, mark a horizontal line for your first board.
Attach the shiplap: Nail each board on the top and bottom, and follow installation guidelines for your type of shiplap.
Reattach baseboards and shoe molding: Put on your baseboards and shoe molding back on after your shiplap wall is complete.
The cheapest way to do shiplap is to buy the boards and other materials and install them yourself. But if you haven't installed shiplap or are new to DIY projects, consider hiring a trim carpenter or general contractor to ensure it’s done right. If you’re working with a tricky space, such as walls with windows and doors, it may be best to hire a pro.
Shiplap has increased in popularity over the last decade. With its farmhouse vibe and clean lines, shiplap compliments many home styles. Looking for alternatives? Other wall detailing that adds character to a room includes board and batten, wainscotting, and beadboard.
