The average cost to install cedar siding is $13,000, but it can cost between $8,000 and $45,000, depending on the quality of the siding, location, and project details.
Cedar is one of the most popular types of wood siding materials. It’s economical, easy to stain, and a relatively rot-resistant softwood. For an average home requiring 1,500 square feet of exterior siding, expect to pay $29,500 to $16,500, with an average price of $13,000 when you have it professionally installed. For complex layouts or elaborate shake or shingle, cedar siding costs can be higher—as much as $45,000, depending on the size of the home and quality of the cedar.
On average, cedar siding costs between $5 and $11 per square foot for materials and installation. In some cases, you can find cedar for as little as $3 per square foot, and high quality, premium options can cost as much as $30 per square foot. Wood siding costs really depend on the quality of the material and where the wood is sourced.
Although most companies sell cedar siding by the square foot, you may also see cedar siding prices by the square or even by the inch. A square of cedar siding is usually around 100 square feet and totals between $500 and $1,100. The average cost per square inch is usually between $0.03 and $0.11.
The average U.S. home has a front face that measures around 1,500 square feet. Buying and installing cedar siding to cover just the front of your home will typically cost between $8,000 and $16,500. If you’re looking to add cedar siding to your entire home, the cost will increase to between $21,000 and $46,200.
| Home Square Footage | Cost for Front of Home Only | Cost for Entire Home |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $3,000–$6,600 | $9,800–$21,500 |
| 1,500 | $4,500–$9,900 | $12,800–$28,000 |
| 2,000 | $6,000–$13,200 | $15,800–$34,500 |
| 2,500 | $7,500–$16,600 | $18,800–$41,000 |
| 3,000 | $9,000–$19,900 | $21,800–$47,500 |
It’s a good idea to factor in an additional 10% of materials to cover waste materials, especially if your home has a complex shape.
Your geographic location can also affect labor rates; expect to pay more for cedar siding if you’re in a city or state with a higher cost of living or where cedar isn’t readily available and needs to be delivered over long distances.
The type of cedar you select for your siding significantly affects your overall costs. You get what you pay for: investing in a higher-quality material means your upfront costs will be higher, but your siding will last longer, so you stand to save money over time.
The prices below relate to standard three-quarter-inch thick ”clear” grade boards. Pricing differs depending on thickness and grade.
Western red cedar is one of the most popular materials, and it’s also easy to source. Expect to pay around $3 to $5 per square foot, though costs may be higher if you live on the East Coast, given that it has to be transported.
Eastern red cedar usually costs a bit more, often between $5 and $8 per square foot. This species is prevalent on the east coast, as the name implies, so it might be a bit more affordable where it’s native.
Northern white cedar is readily available in the Northeast. It’s a more affordable option, at around $4 to $7 per square foot. Again, costs may be higher if you live outside the region of origin.
Alaskan yellow cedar can be difficult to source, which pushes up the cost to between $9 and $11 per square foot, on average.
Spanish cedar is excellent for humid areas because it’s particularly moisture-resistant, but it’s harder to source and costs $6 to $10 per square foot—or more, in some cases.
Eastern red and yellow cedars aren’t common siding materials. Eastern red cedar is typically used in indoor spaces, and yellow is often used for boat and musical instrument construction.
The classic “lap styles” of siding, like clapboard, tongue and groove, and board and batten, are the easiest to install and fall within the average price ranges per square foot.
| Style | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Clapboard | $3 – $7 |
| Shiplap | $3 – $5 |
| Tongue and Groove | $3 – $7 |
| Board and Batten | $1 – $10 |
| Shakes/Shingles | $7 – $11 |
If you choose to go for more elaborate shingle or shake cedar siding, expect to pay anywhere from $7 to $11 or more per square foot for materials and installation. This siding is tricky to install correctly and isn't a good choice for DIY installation, and the added difficulty with installation drives up labor costs if you hire a professional.
The type and style of the wood—and where it’s sourced from—have some of the largest effects on overall cedar siding costs. But other factors can influence the cost as well, including grades, existing siding removal, and staining or painting costs.
Installation by a reputable local siding contractor will usually run from around $1 to $5 per square foot, which adds to your overall siding replacement costs.
Labor makes up between 15% and 40% of the cost of your siding installation project, but that figure can rise to 50% or more in some cases. For example, installing cedar shakes or shingles is more time-consuming and labor-intensive than most other types of siding, so the work will cost more. Additionally, if you have a lot of windows, doors, bump-outs, or unique home shapes, labor costs will go up, as getting the new siding to look professional will take longer.
A local siding contractor should be able to assess and measure your home to provide an accurate figure when it comes to siding installation labor and the costs involved with the work.
Cedar, like other woods, has grades to indicate its quality and appearance. Grading in the lumber industry is unregulated and complex, and different types of wood can have their own grading system. Below are some factors to look out for when it comes to cedar siding grading.
Premium “clear” grades signify that the cedar is from older, mature growth and free from defects such as knots. These include Clear Heart, Clear Vertical Grain Heart, and A Clear, and they’re the most expensive forms of cedar siding.
Mid grades such as “C and Better” or “D and Better” often have small imperfections in the wood, but nothing major.
Knotty grades like Select Tight Knot or Select Knotty are from fast-growth trees and are best suited to a rustic finish. They can have many knots or other defects running along the boards. Premium-grade cedar siding can cost twice as much as knotty varieties.
You can expect to pay more for high-quality cedar siding, but these options usually produce a more refined appearance.
Expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for professionals to remove existing siding (costs vary depending on the size of your house and current siding installed); a careful and enthusiastic DIYer could tackle this job to maximize savings.
There may still be fees to factor in from your local waste disposal authority to comply with the rules regarding the disposal of the old wood. On average, junk removal costs between $240 and $500 for siding, but it depends on the amount of siding you’re disposing of.
A Note on Safety: If you have painted siding that was installed before 1978, you might have lead paint or asbestos to contend with. If you have concerns about either of these factors, get a professional lead or asbestos inspection. Asbestos testing costs from $230 to $785, and lead tests are around $300 (get quotes from multiple lead testers near you before moving forward). If either is present, it’s best to have them professionally removed.
Staining or painting wood siding can significantly increase its longevity and give it a finished, more refined appearance. You can purchase cedar siding already finished, but if you buy untreated siding, you’ll need to finish it before or after installation.
The cost to stain cedar siding typically ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot, and painting totals between $3 to $6 per square foot for materials and labor. You can shave off some costs by doing this job yourself, but an improper application can reduce the longevity of the siding. Keep in mind that natural wood has a lot of texture to it, so it might be best to hire a pro to get a clean finish.
Houses with more windows and doors require more work when it comes to siding installation, as the contractor will need to cut and install trim around each opening. It also requires a little more work when installing the waterproof barrier beneath the exposed siding. This can increase overall labor costs, but the total added to your price shouldn’t exceed $1,000.
You can save between $4,000 and $8,250, on average, by installing cedar siding yourself on a home that requires around 1,500 square feet of materials. Labor accounts for roughly 25% to 50% of your overall wood siding costs, so this can be a great way to save money on the project.
However, although it’s possible to install cedar siding without the help of a professional, it’s time-consuming and requires a high level of skill. If you don’t fasten the siding properly, have improper spacing, or have problems with flashing or caulking, you could have issues further down the road, including leaks and water damage, leading to an expensive and inconvenient fix.
In most cases, it’s best to hire a professional to make sure everything is secured and waterproofed properly.
Ideally, you’ll want to remove the old siding first to minimize problems with rot, vermin, or insects. Leaving the old siding up also means that the delineation of doors and windows will be less noticeable, and this isn’t always a good thing in terms of aesthetics. However, depending on the material and condition of the old siding, it’s possible to install new siding over it. Take advice from a reputable local siding contractor before proceeding.
You can calculate the required square footage yourself to price the materials or get quotes from a pro.
Start by measuring the height and width of your home’s rectangular exterior walls. For the triangular-shaped gable walls, measure the height from the ground to the tallest gable point to make sure you have enough for good coverage.
Once you have combined the totals for each wall, add another 10% to account for wasted materials. It’s also good to have extra siding on hand to tackle wood siding repair down the road, as needed.
Cedar siding can last 20 to 40 years, when properly maintained. To get the most out of your cedar siding—or any wood siding—inspect it multiple times a year for cracks, fungus, bubbling, and other signs of damage. Clean it annually, make sure it’s painted or stained (and then sealed), and keep foliage off the siding.
Regular cedar siding maintenance is important for making your siding last a long time and to keep it looking good throughout its life. You should restain or repaint cedar siding every four to six years, depending on weather conditions and the starting quality of the wood.
If you want a lower maintenance option, opt for vinyl or aluminum siding. Although the cost to install aluminum siding or vinyl siding can be slightly more expensive, they don’t need as much maintenance and can be more durable than cedar.
Yes, cedar is a popular option for shou sugi ban siding, which is a Japanese style of charring wood for a home’s exterior to finish and protect the material. Cedar shou sugi ban siding costs about $15 per square foot on average, but ranges between $2 and $25 per square foot depending on your home’s size, the price of labor, and where you live.
