Everything You Should Know About T1-11 Siding

T1-11 siding is an engineered wood cladding option that’s often found on storage sheds, though it can also be used to side homes. Many budget-conscious homeowners opt for T1-11 siding because it’s affordable; its installation prices average $4 to $7 per square foot, so T1-11 can be cheaper than siding made from vinyl, fiber cement, or aluminum.

However, T1-11 siding has several problems that these more expensive options don’t. For starters, it doesn’t provide much insulation and is highly vulnerable to damage from moisture, pests, and fires. While T1-11 can last several decades, it requires a lot of routine maintenance along the way.

Overall, T1-11 siding is better suited for the walls of an outbuilding than a home. To learn more about this siding material, keep reading. We’ll break down the product’s average costs, discuss its benefits and shortcomings, and then recommend some good alternatives.

The pros and cons of T1-11 siding

What is T1-11 siding?

A sheet of T1-11 siding made from plywood. Image source: Home Depot

T1-11 siding is an engineered wood product with a stylish exterior groove pattern. The grooves are engraved on center to mimic the appearance of traditional lap siding. The siding can be oriented either vertically or horizontally, though vertical orientation is much more common.

T1-11 siding comes in two varieties. One is made from plywood, which features multiple thin plies of wood (like cedar, fir, or yellow pine) layered together into a single panel. The other is made from oriented strand board (OSB), which is crafted by pressing chips and strands of natural wood fiber together with adhesive into a single board.

Because plywood siding panels are made from real-wood veneers, they often feature sawn wood grain textures, and OSB panels can be embossed with faux-wood grain patterns. This allows both types of T1-11 siding to capture the rustic charm of authentic wood siding for a fraction of the price.

The top layer of an OSB or plywood siding panel will have an exterior-grade finish to protect it from the elements. However, the edges of either type of panel are often left unfinished, allowing moisture to wick its way through the material and cause extensive damage (more on that later). 

In general, T1-11 plywood panels are a little more expensive than OSB options, but they’re also more durable. Both varieties have the same vulnerabilities, though.

How much does T1-11 siding cost?

On average, it costs between $6,028 and $10,968 to install T1-11 siding over the sheathing of a newly constructed home. Replacing old siding with T1-11 panels is slightly more expensive since it involves a little more labor and can cost anywhere between $6,634 and $12,071 for most homes.

This makes T1-11 siding one of your most affordable options. Even famously affordable siding materials like vinyl–which typically costs somewhere between $7,476 and $13,602 to install–can be more expensive. However, depending on local market conditions, vinyl or fiber cement siding may be cheaper in your area.

Cheapest isn’t always best, though. As with all home construction projects, you get what you pay for with your siding, so opting for the most affordable material will leave your home more vulnerable to the elements. 

Common issues homeowners have with T1-11 siding

Water damage

Image source: Reddit

Because wood is an organic material, it absorbs and circulates moisture very well, so all types of wood siding are highly vulnerable to moisture damage like rot, discoloration, warping, mold, and flaking. You can avoid these issues by frequently inspecting your T1-11 siding and repainting it with exterior-grade paint every two years. 

All the work it takes to prevent water damage is a key reason that wooden siding is one of the most high-maintenance siding options.

Fire damage

T1-11 siding is made from real wood, so it’s highly combustible and won’t protect your home against a wildfire or a neighbor’s house fire. This makes it a bad option for homes in fire-prone states like California or Texas. Metal and fiber cement siding options, such as Hardie® board siding, are much more flame-resistant.

If fire safety is a priority for you, check out our guide to fire-resistant home construction. 

Pest and insect damage

Image source: Reddit

Wood is a soft material that many critters instinctively burrow into, so wood siding is often plagued by squirrels, woodpeckers, raccoons, and termites. Not only will these pests scratch up and put holes in your siding, but pest damage also leaves the siding more vulnerable to moisture damage, even if you’ve done a good job of painting the material regularly.

Unfortunately, the only way to prevent pest damage is to stay vigilant. Inspect your siding regularly for signs of pest damage (claw marks, deterioration, holes), make repairs immediately, and hire a pest control service as necessary. 

How to maintain T1-11 siding

Despite its many vulnerabilities, T1-11 siding can last up to 30 years if properly maintained (though warranties on the product are often much shorter), meaning it can last as long as vinyl. However, the product will need a lot of TLC to overcome its weaknesses and last that long. 

Here’s a list of routine maintenance that T1-11 siding often requires: 

• Repainting every 3–5 years
• Annual inspections
• Annual cleanings
• Speedy repairs
• Seasonal gutter cleanings
• Pest control

This list of regular upkeep tasks makes T1-11 siding one of the most high-maintenance materials for siding your home. 

Popular alternatives to T1-11 siding

If you’re convinced that T1-11 siding’s many shortcomings and high-maintenance nature make it a lousy option despite its affordability, here are a few popular alternatives that won’t break the bank. 

• Vinyl siding: Vinyl requires much less maintenance than T1-11 siding, can last just as long, and can be embossed with a wood grain texture to mimic the classic appearance of real wood with several color options to choose from. With average whole-home installation prices ranging from $7,476 to $13,602, it’s only marginally more expensive. 
• Fiber cement siding: Like vinyl and T1-11 siding, fiber cement siding is often crafted with faux wood grain textures, but it’s famously low-maintenance and hardy. In fact, the material can last over 50 years. The best part is that it typically only costs between $4,972 and $9,047 to install, so it can be cheaper than T1-11, though many customers report that it costs more than T1-11 in their local markets. 
• Aluminum siding: Aluminum is a durable and corrosion-resistant metal, and aluminum siding can last up to 40 years. It’s also very low-maintenance, so it won’t require as much work as T1-11. The main downside of aluminum siding is its high price tag. It typically costs between $8,374 and $15,236 to install aluminum siding on an entire home, so it’s the most expensive material on this list. 

How to hire a siding installer

Now that you know all about T1-11 siding and which alternatives might work better for your home, you’re ready to talk with a contractor. Fill out the form below to find the best siding installers in your area. We’ll connect you with qualified contractors. 

If budget is your number one concern, ask your contractor for quotes for T1-11 and a few of the other affordable materials we’ve recommended.

T1-11 siding FAQ

Is T1-11 the cheapest siding?

While it is exceptionally affordable, T1-11 isn’t necessarily the cheapest type of siding. Siding prices largely depend on location. Local market conditions might make vinyl or fiber cement more affordable. On average, though, T1-11 does tend to be cheaper than vinyl. 

Why is it called T1-11 siding?

The “T” in T1-11 stands for “textured,” and the name actually describes the iconic grooved pattern that gets engraved into each finished plank of the siding. The siding inherited its name from the grooved plywood panels from which it often gets made.  

Can you use T1-11 for house siding?

Yes, T1-11 siding is suitable for residential houses, though it isn’t as popular as it used to be. T1-11 siding has been around since the 1960s and was very common until the 1980s. Since then, alternatives like vinyl, aluminum, and fiber cement have become more popular because of their greater durability, superior insulation, and easier maintenance.  

What is a good substitute for T1-11 siding?

Vinyl is one of the most common alternatives to T1-11 siding because it’s affordable, lasts just as long, and is less high maintenance. Fiber cement and aluminum are also viable alternatives because they’re relatively inexpensive, durable, and easy to care for. 

What is the life expectancy of T1-11 siding?

When properly maintained with regular cleanings, repairs, and paint jobs, T1-11 siding can last 20 to 30 years. This means it can last just as long as vinyl under ideal conditions, though it will usually deteriorate much quicker than fiber cement, aluminum, brick, and stucco.