How Much Does It Cost to Install Cedar Siding?

Reviewed by Carol J Alexander remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

When choosing the siding for your home, you want something that blends in with the immediate surroundings, enhances the home's design, protects well, and improves curb appeal. For many homeowners, cedar fits all the criteria. It's beautiful, durable, and insect-resistant.

The average cost to install cedar siding is from $15,690 to $29,200, with most homeowners spending $21,791 to side a 2,000-square-foot home. On the low end, you could side a 1,000-square-foot home with cedar sheeting for $3,892. On the high end, it costs $51,637 to apply fire-resistant cedar shingles with a fancy edge on a 3,000-square-foot home.

In this cost guide, we discuss factors like the type of cedar, its quality, and the home size that influence these cost ranges so you can budget accordingly.

Cost to install cedar siding

Cedar siding installation cost factors

The cost of cedar siding depends on more than quantity. The species of the cedar, the material's grade, and the style of the siding all influence the cost of materials. Add to that labor and job complexity, and you have something more true to help with your budget planning.

Below, we look at each factor individually so you can choose the best options for your siding project.

Size of home

The larger your home, the more material you'll need to cover it, increasing the cost. However, using your home's square footage is not an accurate way to estimate how much siding you need.

To better estimate your siding needs, follow these steps to measure the surface area of your home's exterior walls.

Sketch a picture of each face of your home. Divide each face into rectangular and triangular sections. Measure these sections on the house and calculate the square size. (See formulas above.) Add all your figures to get the total square footage of siding needed.

Cost to install cedar siding based on home size

Cedar type

Several types of cedar grow in North America and make suitable siding material. No matter which type you choose, the cedar siding prices vary depending on its thickness, grade, and location.

Western red cedar

Western red cedar is native to the Pacific Northwest area of the United States and Canada. As a relatively soft wood that dents and scratches easily, the wood has a Janka hardness rating of 320. However, western red cedar is durable and resistant to insects and decay. 

Northern white cedar

Northern white cedar grows in the southern part of eastern Canada and the north-central and northeastern United States. Its Janka hardness value is also 320, but it's durable and resistant to decay, termites, and powder post beetles. 

Alaskan yellow cedar

This formidable tree grows up to 120 feet tall along the northwest coast of North America. Its Janka rating of 580 is much harder than other siding options. Typically straight-grained, Alaskan red cedar is easy to work with, durable, holds paint well, and is resistant to most insects.

Other species

You may have read that eastern red cedar and Spanish cedar are viable siding options. However, eastern red cedar doesn't produce the clear, straight grain you want in a siding material. Even though it has a Janka hardness rating of 900, its many knots and imperfections make it unsuitable for siding. Spanish cedar is also quite hard but rated as only moderately durable. Because it's been exploited in many areas, it is now considered vulnerable and is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. 

Siding quality

Like all lumber, cedar is graded to indicate its appearance and quality. To grade cedar wood, sawyers look at the grain, the presence of knots, and the color. The three grades typically given to lumber are knotty, mid-grade, and premium (or clear). The higher the grade, the more expensive the wood.

Siding style

Cost of cedar siding by style

Cedar siding comes in multiple styles to complement your home. From clapboard to shingles, the styles vary and affect the cost of your installation. For instance, sheet siding takes a minimal amount of time compared to shingles or shakes. Therefore, cedar shake siding costs more in labor than sheets. This list depicts the most popular cedar siding styles with a brief description.

• Sheet siding – Plywood with cedar facing comes in multiple textures and is typically used for outbuildings and barns.
• Clapboard – Wedge-shaped, horizontal planks that overlap for a smooth appearance.
• Shingle siding – Small, rectangular pieces of cedar installed overlapping each other. The edges may be straight or scalloped.
• Shake – Small rectangular pieces of cedar, shakes are hand-split rather than milled with a bevel on one end. Therefore, they have a more irregular appearance over the shingle.
• Board and batten – Wide boards, installed vertically, with narrow strips applied over the seams.
• Tongue and groove – Horizontal planks milled with a groove along one edge and a tongue that fits into the groove along the other. When pieced together, they give a smooth appearance.
• Shiplap – Horizontal planks milled with one L-shaped edge so that when they overlap, the result is a smooth surface.

Additional factors

The factors listed above affect the cost of cedar siding for all homeowners, but everyone's situation is different. Following are a few factors that may or may not affect the cost of your particular siding installation project.

Existing siding

The labor for siding removal costs from $52 to $96 per hour.

If your home has old siding that must be removed and discarded before installing new cedar siding, the process adds to the overall cost. In addition to installation charges, you'll incur demolition and disposal costs. Disposal costs vary depending on your location and the type of material. If your existing siding is wood, you can donate or sell it to be repurposed, unlike vinyl siding, which must be taken to a recycling center.

Complexity of the installation

In addition to material costs, the complexity of the design and shape of your house will influence the installation cost. Architectural elements like dormers, chimneys, and gables require more intricate cuts and add to the labor time. Also, multiple stories make it necessary for contractors to wear personal protective equipment like safety harnesses and use ladders or scaffolding, which increases labor costs.

Three pricing budgets for cedar siding installation

To allay unreasonable expectations, homeowners like to know what a project can cost before contacting professionals for an estimate. To help you formulate your budget, we've divided this project cost into three categories.

Budget-friendly cedar siding installation

Expect to pay $5,000 to $15,000 for a budget-friendly cedar siding installation.

With little funds put aside and not much home equity to borrow against, the budget-minded homeowner needs to count the pennies. In this pricing tier, you can apply cedar siding in the following circumstances.

• Shingle siding to cover 1,000 square feet or less. 
• Shiplap, board and batten, and clapboard to cover 1,500 square feet.
• Cedar sheet siding covering 3,000 square feet or less.

Mid-range cedar siding installation

Expect to pay $15,000 to $25,000 for a mid-range cedar siding installation.

With a bit of home equity, homeowners can afford more by borrowing against it. This pricing tier affords the following scenarios.

• Fire-resistant cedar shakes or shingles with scalloped edges to cover 1,500 square feet or less.
• Tongue and groove covering 1,500 to 2,000 square feet.
• Clapboard covering 1,500 to 2,500 square feet.
• Board and batten to cover 2,000 to 2,500 square feet.
• Cedar shiplap covering up to 3,000 square feet.

Luxury cedar siding installation

Expect to pay over $25,000 for a high-end cedar siding installation.

Your luxury chalet in the mountains deserves the natural look cedar brings. And in this budget tier, you can afford scalloped shingles or hand-hewn shakes. Other options include:

• Tongue and groove on homes with over 2,000 square feet of coverage.
• Board and batten or clapboard on homes with over 2,500 square feet of coverage.
• Fancy-cut and fire-resistant cedar shakes or shingles for any size home.

Pros and cons of cedar siding

DIY vs. professional cedar siding installation

Installing cedar siding requires more carpentry skills than the average DIYer. It may look easy on YouTube videos, but if you've never done it, it's a job best left to the siding pros.

First, you need to have quite a number of tools. And you need the knowledge to tackle intricate areas like around windows, doors, dormers, and eaves. Professionals not only know the basics, but they also have the experience to know how to approach atypical situations.

Paying for your cedar siding installation

No matter how you slice it, cedar siding is expensive. Many homeowners don’t have the cash for this level of project and look for ways to finance it. Here are a few ways to make paying for it more manageable.

• Apply for a home improvement loan. Once you have an estimate from a siding contractor, you can apply for a loan against the equity in your home. Many homeowners choose this option for one large project, like new siding.
• Withdraw funds from your HELOC. Financial experts agree that every homeowner should have a home equity line of credit in place for such a time as this. If you've never set up a HELOC, ask a lender how to do it now.
• Contractor financing. After securing an estimate from a siding contractor, ask if they offer financing. This option is an alternative for homeowners needing more equity to qualify for a home improvement loan or HELOC. 

Saving money on cedar siding

Sometimes, even the best estimate is too high. If you still need to shave a few dollars off your wood siding costs, here are a few ways to do that.

• Choose a different grade of material. If you're not in your forever home, choose a lower-grade cedar to save money.
• Choose a different style of material. You may have your heart set on cedar shakes, but your budget only allows for planks. Consider going with the planks to lower the cost. Also, opt for knotty or mid-grade over clear grade.
• DIY the demo. Remove the existing siding yourself to save on the demolition labor cost. 

Other considerations

• Location. Installation costs vary by region of the country. If you live in an urban area like Los Angeles or Baltimore, you'll pay more labor costs than homeowners in farming country. And, if you choose a type of cedar that's not indigenous to your area, you'll pay more for materials due to high shipping costs.
• Permitting and building codes. When you hire a siding contractor, they'll typically include the cost of permits and inspections in the project's total cost. But, if you're DIYing the job, contact your local building official to learn the permitting process.

Get back to nature

Nothing improves the appearance of a home like natural materials. And nothing hurts the same curb appeal more than a DIY installation gone wrong. Because you want your home to look its best, let us help you find a professional siding contractor to install your siding for you.