How much does it cost to install wood siding?

Wood siding protects your home’s exterior from the elements while adding beauty. Many species of wood are used to create siding and there are also a wide array of grades. Normally, a clear sealant or semi-transparent stain is used to further highlight the wood’s grain and brings out its unique beauty. However, a lower grade of wood siding can be used to save money. The less expensive grades are painted or stained with opaque shades to hide any less-than-desirable blemishes.

The cost to install wood siding averages $3 to $10 per square foot for materials and labor. It varies depending on the wood’s grade. To install wood siding on a 1,500 sq.ft. home averages $9,750 for a medium grade wood siding plus labor.

Pros and cons

Prior to deciding to use wood siding on your home, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of the project:

Moisture barrier

Moisture can penetrate even professionally installed wood siding, which means that it is imperative that you have a moisture barrier installed to protect your home’s exterior beneath the wood siding. A moisture barrier must be laid down before the siding. The most common forms of moisture barrier are house wrap, plywood sheathing, or felt paper. House wrap, such as Tyvek or R-Wrap, offers the greatest moisture protection. A roll of Tyvek or R-Wrap that measures 9’ x 150’  averages $165 per roll. Plywood sheathing is another option to create a moisture barrier, but since plywood is made from wood, even though it has been treated to repel water it is still susceptible to water and insects over time. A sheet of plywood sheathing averages $26 for a 4’ x 8’ piece. Classic tar paper is another low-cost option that has proven effective at creating a moisture barrier between the home and the wood siding. A roll of tar paper averages $75 for 250 feet.

Materials

When choosing wood siding, there are many types of wood that you can choose between. Each one offers a different appearance. In addition, all of the various types have their pros and cons.

Patterns

Wood siding fits together with a variety of patterns such as clapboard, dolly varden, bevel, tongue-and-groove, shiplap, channel rustic, rustic vee, board and batten, plywood ², log, shakes ³, shingles ⁴, and sheets. Each one varies in the way it is installed (either vertical or horizontal).  Intricate patterns cost more than simpler designs.

Grades

The term “grades” describes the appearance of the wood. Many associations have joined together to govern the grades of wood. These associations include the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA), the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA) (a Canadian group), and the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB), and the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). Grading systems are used for marketing wood and pricing it. A premium grade of wood costs more ($3-$10 per sq.ft.) than mid-grade ($2-$6 per sq.ft.) or low-grade ($1-$3 per sq.ft.) wood grains.

Premium grades of wood are virtually free of all defects. In some instances, they are made from the wood’s heartwood. Premium grades of wood include Clear Heart, Heart, and Clear. If you want to stain your wood siding then you will want to consider purchasing premium grade wood siding to show the wood’s beauty and appearance after staining. These are kiln dried and aged.

Mid-grades are often called “select grades.” They are often called Superior and Prime. These have been aged and kiln dried.

Knotty grades of wood are called the following: Select Tight Knots (STK), Select Knotty, 2&Better, 3&Better. Knotty grades of wood need paint to hide the many knots and defects. Many of these woods are considered green.

Priming and sealing

Priming and sealing your wood siding will ensure a long life. Both paint and stain seal the wood to prevent rotting, cracking, or drying. It is typically recommended that you stain your wood siding every four years and paint every three to seven years. Most painters charge $50 per hour to prime or stain to your home’s exterior. The average cost to paint a 1,500 sq.ft. house exterior averages $2,500-$3,000.

Installation

The most common way to install wood siding is horizontally. This tends to be the easiest method and it effectively sheds rain. Depending on the type of siding, the horizontal siding can be smooth or patterned. Horizontal installation averages $1-$5 per sq.ft., depending on the type of siding used.

Vertical siding is often not considered as effective at shedding rain because the rain can run down into the cracks between the siding. It is fairly easy to install and averages $1-$2 per sq.ft., depending on the type of siding used.

Diagonal installation is the most difficult and averages $2.50-$6 per sq.ft., depending on the type of siding. It tends to take time to fashion all of the pieces together and requires more cuts. The diagonal layout also may not shed rain as effectively.

Labor

A carpenter usually charges $40 to $50 per hour to install siding. A house that averages 1,500 sq.ft. usually takes a crew from four to six days to install the siding, depending on the pattern and wood type used. The cost of installation and labor runs from $160-$200.  Installing difficult patterns can take more time. In addition, molding, trim, flashing, corners, vent blocks, and electrical blocks all take additional time to install. If electrical blocks must be installed then you will need to hire an electrician. Most electricians charge from $65-$85 per hour.

Wood siding vs other materials

Wood siding and vinyl siding create a very uniform appearance when installed. However, there are always variations in the wood siding that many people believe adds to its charm. Vinyl siding and fiber cement ⁶ require very little upkeep once installed, unlike wood which must be sealed or painted.

Maintenance

Wood can warp or crack, so a board of wood siding may require repair or replacement on occasion. Wood must be painted or sealed regularly (every four to seven years) to maintain its appearance and prevent rot. Normally, you must stain the wood every four years and paint every five to seven years. Most painters charge $50 per hour to prime or stain to your home’s exterior. The average cost to paint a 1,500 square foot house exterior averages $2,500-$3,000.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Old siding removal

If you have your house sided then you might be faced with having the old siding removed. A carpenter typically charges $40-$50 per hour to remove old siding.

Wall repairs

To repair a section of wall of wood siding averages $100-$150 per section, plus labor. Most carpenters charge $40-$50 per hour to remove and replace the siding.

Stain or painting

You can apply stain or paint at the time of installation. However, every four to seven years the wood siding must either be stained or painted. Most painters charge $50 per hour to prime or stain to your home’s exterior.

Additional considerations and costs

• Prior to hiring any contractor, you should always take the time to get at least three to five estimates to determine an acceptable amount to pay for the project.
• Buying locally is environmentally friendly and supports local businesses. Purchasing your wood siding from a local distributor is usually cheaper.
• This can be a DIY project. You should take the time to seal or prime each board before putting it on your house. Paint or seal the cut ends of the wood to prevent water damage. Remember to lay a moisture barrier beneath the wood siding. Use actual siding nails while hanging wood siding.
• If you decide to purchase the wood siding yourself then always take the time to discuss wood grain with the siding salesperson. Usually, the best wood siding has a visible vertical grain. Less expensive types of wood siding have a flat or smooth grain.
• Always take the time to check your local building codes before installing wood siding. You may be required to obtain a building permit when installing wood siding to your home.
• If you decide to use hardwood siding on your home then you should always let the hardwood siding sit for at least seven days before installing it so that the boards can acclimatize to the outdoor temperature and humidity levels. This will prevent the boards from bending or warping. Never store the siding directly on the ground or on a concrete surface where it can absorb water and warp.
• Square foot vs. Board Foot vs. Linear Foot is a formula that comes in handy for not only contractors but also DIYers. Contractors usually price the job based on the square foot. If you plan to undertake the project yourself then you will be buying the siding so you will need to understand the formula to determine the price of the wood.
• Wood siding is sold by the linear foot, so you will have to determine exactly how many square feet of siding you will require to side your home to know how much the siding will cost.
• The wonderful thing about wood siding is that it is highly sustainable. If it is hauled to a landfill then it readily breaks down. Also, the best grades of wood siding are obtained from old-growth timber. This means that old growth trees are harvested using formulas that help make room for new growth and prevent forest fires. When buying wood siding, always make sure that the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Certification means that the wood was harvested from sustainable forests.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Ipe: A dense hard wood most commonly used for decking and flooring. Its color varies from reddish brown to blackish brown

² Plywood: An engineered construction material manufactured from thin slices of wood glued together in alternating grain patterns for strength

³ Shakes: A rugged flat piece of wooden construction material with at least one grain-split face, generally made of either redwood or cedar, laid in a series of overlapping rows and used to cover the outside of roofs and walls to protect against weather damage and leaks

⁴ Shingles: A smooth, uniform, flat piece of construction material, available in a wide variety of materials and laid in a series of overlapping rows, used to cover the outside of roofs or walls to protect against weather damage and leaks.

⁶ Fiber cement: A building material made with cellulose fiber, concrete, and recycled materials such as glass