How Much Does Shou Sugi Ban Siding Cost? [2025 Data]
Shou Sugi Ban siding costs an average of $22,000 for a 2,000-square-foot house, or between $7,000 and $33,000, depending on variety.
Shou Sugi Ban siding, or carbonized wood finish, costs between $7,000 and $33,000 to install, or $2 to $25 per square foot on average. Shou Sugi Ban comes from an ancient Japanese wood-burning siding practice called Yakisugi, which naturally preserves wood using a light burnt finish. The eye-catching material has the color of dark gray or even black.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Shou Sugi Ban Siding per Square Foot?
Expect to pay around $15 per square foot on average, though you might pay as little as $2 per square foot or up to $25 per square foot depending on factors like wood type, labor, and geographic location.
| Shou Sugi Ban Siding Size | Price Range (With Labor) | Average Price (With Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | $7,000–$15,000 | $11,000 |
| 2,000 square feet | $14,000–$30,000 | $22,000 |
| 3,000 square feet | $21,000–$45,000 | $33,000 |
While you can install siding yourself, we recommend contacting a pro. Improper installation can decrease the life span of the siding and cost more money in the long run.
Shou Sugi Ban Siding Cost Breakdown
How much you’ll pay for shou sugi ban siding depends on a few key factors, including the area you are siding, the materials you choose, and labor costs. The square footage of your home plays the biggest role in determining the total cost of your shou sugi ban siding project, with larger homes often costing three times as much as smaller homes.
Materials
Shou sugi ban siding is a type of wood siding. Different wood types can significantly impact the price per square foot of your shou sugi ban siding. Wood that’s already charred will cost between $11 and $25 per square foot, whereas wood that hasn’t yet been charred costs anywhere between $4 and $10 per square foot. A few popular wood types for shou sugi ban siding include pine, cedar, spruce, and oak.
In general, wood siding, and especially shou sugi ban siding, is more expensive than most types of vinyl siding, but it’s often worth the higher price point. Get our full breakdown of wood vs. vinyl siding to determine the right material for your home.
| Wood Type | Price Per Square Foot | Average Price Per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Pine | $11–$15 | $13 |
| Cedar | $13–$20 | $17 |
| Spruce | $16–$22 | $19 |
| Oak | $14–$25 | $20 |
Labor
Shou sugi ban siding costs between $7 and $15 per square foot for labor. Though you can hire a pro to do the shou sugi ban charring process, it’s far more affordable to buy the wood directly from a lumber distributor.
Cost of Shou Sugi Ban Siding by Location
Pricing for shou sugi ban siding varies based on where you live, with rural areas generally costing more. This is because it’s harder to find a pro who specializes in—or is even familiar with—shou sugi ban wood siding in remote locations.
Generally speaking, you’ll pay less in cities that have a variety of architectural styles, including New York City and Los Angeles, and you’ll pay more in rural Kentucky, Wyoming, or Wisconsin.
| City | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| New York City | $7–$10 |
| Los Angeles | $7–$10 |
| Rural Kentucky | $10–$15 |
| Rural Wyoming | $10–$15 |
Cost to Char and Install Shou Sugi Ban Siding Yourself
If you don’t have any carpentry experience, you shouldn’t try to install shou sugi ban siding yourself. The installation process is labor-intensive, involves working at high heights, requires technical skills, and may warrant old siding removal. Instead, contact a siding company near you to do the job safely and effectively so that you can get the most out of your new siding.
However, if you’re an avid DIYer and want to try your hand at charring or installing shou sugi ban siding yourself, you’ll pay around $4 to $10 per square foot for the wood. The materials for charring the wood yourself cost around $200 to $400 and include a propane torch, propane tank, wire brushes, and linseed oil.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
One of the best ways to cut down on siding installation and siding repair costs is to do the work yourself. But if you don’t know how to install wood siding on your house—and don’t have several projects like this under your belt already—we highly recommend working with a professional, particularly if you’re going for a charred look for your shou sugi ban siding. Consult a local siding contractor to find a professional who has experience working with and installing this siding material.
Additional Project Add-Ons
When installing shou sugi ban siding, you may want to consider tackling additional project add-ons at the same time. These add-ons will affect your overall project budget.
First, you will want to budget for proper surface preparation, including cleaning and sanding.
Next, factor in the cost of sealants or finishes to protect and preserve the wood. Add expenses for necessary tools and equipment like brushes and ladders. Lastly, allocate funds for potential unexpected issues that may arise during the installation process. Proper planning and budgeting will ensure a successful and durable shou sugi ban siding project.
How You Can Save Money While Installing Shou Sugi Ban Siding
Bargains make the world go round—or at least they should! If you're looking to save on shou sugi ban siding, a fantastic option is to take on the charring process as a DIY project. By doing so, you can save significantly on labor costs, which typically range from $7 to $15 per square foot. Additionally, the tools and supplies required for charring will cost around $200 to $400.
However, it's essential to exercise caution, as charring wood can be hazardous and isn't recommended for inexperienced DIYers. Here are some more ways you can save money while installing shou sugi ban siding on your own.
Source affordable wood: Look for deals on affordable wood species suitable for charring, such as cedar or pine. Buying wood in bulk or from local lumberyards might lead to cost savings.
Reuse existing tools: If you already have some of the necessary tools like a propane torch or sandpaper, consider reusing them for the charring process instead of buying new ones.
DIY cleaning and sanding: Save on labor costs by cleaning and sanding the wood yourself before the charring process. Proper preparation ensures better charring results. You’ll need to continue to clean shou sugi ban siding as part of routine maintenance; this can be admittedly more involved than cleaning vinyl siding, but it’s possible as a DIY siding maintenance project.
Explore local suppliers: Check with local suppliers, mills, or woodworking shops; they might offer discounted prices or leftover wood pieces that can be used for charring.
Does Shou Sugi Ban Siding Increase Home Value?
As with other types of siding, shou sugi ban siding offers a host of benefits that can increase the value of your home. This Japanese wood provides durability, unique aesthetic appeal, sustainability, and a rich history.
While you should expect higher initial costs for materials and labor, it’s likely to see a positive ROI due to shou sugi ban’s longevity and enduring beauty. Ultimately, though, how installing shou sugi ban siding impacts your home’s value will depend on several unique factors, such as location and current market conditions.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you properly maintain your shou sugi ban siding, it can last over 80 years. You can extend its longevity by routinely washing your shou sugi ban siding, inspecting the nails and tightening them as needed, and re-applying linseed oil as needed to help your home’s wood siding last longer.
Yes, you can shou sugi ban existing siding, but it might pose a hazard to wooden structures, shouldn’t involve treated wood, and must be done by a siding professional. You can not char wood on a house without first removing the boards, so it’s a more complicated replacement project than other siding types.
You should consider acclimating the wood for your shou sugi ban siding for around two weeks before installation to balance its moisture content and prevent warping. That additional step will ensure your materials are prepped for installation, avoiding complex repairs down the line. Consult your siding contractor for additional installation instructions for this specialized material.
If you’re already paying for professional shou sugi ban charring and installation, you should also consider installing a wood-charred deck on your home. You may be able to order the materials in bulk, and then hire a professional deck builder to use the specialized wood to create a wood-charred deck.
Pressure washing shou sugi ban siding is generally not recommended. The charring process used in creating shou sugi ban siding involves burning the wood's surface to achieve its unique appearance and enhanced durability. The charred surface is delicate and can be easily damaged. Instead of pressure washing, you can clean it with a soft brush or broom to remove loose debris, followed by a mixture of mild soap and water applied with a soft cloth or sponge.
