| Wood Siding Type | Installed Cost (per sq ft) | Lifespan (maintained) |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar lap siding | $8–$15 | 25–40 years |
| Pine or fir lap siding | $7–$12 | 20–30 years |
| Redwood siding | $9–$16 | 25–40 years |
| Cedar shingles/shakes | $10–$18 | 20–35 years |
| Board and batten (cedar) | $9–$14 | 25–40 years |
Cedar is the most popular wood siding choice because of its natural resistance to rot, insects, and moisture. Redwood shares cedar's performance attributes with even higher natural durability but commands a premium and is less available outside the western U.S. Pine and fir are significantly cheaper but require more maintenance to protect against rot and pest infiltration.
Wood siding must be repainted or restained every 5 to 7 years to maintain its moisture barrier — the primary protection against rot. In humid climates or areas with severe temperature swings, the interval may be shorter: 4 to 5 years. A full exterior paint job on a 2,000 sq ft home runs $3,500 to $8,000 depending on market and surface condition. Over 30 years, that's $15,000 to $40,000 in painting costs alone, plus caulking, spot repairs, and potential rot remediation.
Wood siding is the authentic choice for craftsman bungalows, historic homes, Victorians, and Pacific Northwest architectural styles where wood's grain, texture, and dimensional variation are central to the home's character. In these contexts, manufactured alternatives — while improved — still read as imitations. Neighborhood context matters too: wood siding on a craftsman block maintains the visual cohesion that supports neighborhood property values broadly.
Moisture is the primary enemy. Gaps in caulking, failed paint, or installation errors that allow water behind panels lead to rot in the wood and potentially in the structural sheathing behind it. Termites and carpenter ants are drawn to moist wood — in areas with high termite pressure (the South, Southwest, Pacific Northwest), additional preventive treatment may be warranted. Wildfire risk is also higher with wood siding than with non-combustible alternatives.
LP SmartSide engineered wood siding uses an oriented strand board (OSB) composite treated with zinc borate for pest and moisture resistance. It holds paint well, carries a 50-year warranty, and looks more convincingly like real wood than fiber cement in most applications. Cost: $6–$11/sq ft installed — lower than cedar, higher than vinyl. LP SmartSide is the most popular wood-alternative siding choice for homeowners who want the wood look without the full maintenance burden of real wood.
Engineered wood siding (LP SmartSide, Boral TruExterior) is worth serious consideration for any home where wood aesthetics are important but where climate conditions or budget make real wood problematic. See our guide to siding replacement options for a full comparison.
Wood makes sense when: the home has architectural character that authenticity enhances, the climate is dry and moderate (the mountain West, parts of the Southwest), the homeowner is committed to regular maintenance, and the project budget supports premium materials. It becomes a burden when: the climate is humid or has extreme temperature swings, the homeowner has limited time or budget for upkeep, or the home is being prepared for sale and maintenance deferred maintenance has accumulated.
Over 30 years, wood's maintenance costs often catch up to fiber cement's higher upfront price. This decision is really about authenticity and looks, not lifetime savings, so go in knowing you're buying a look.
These are the questions homeowners ask most often before starting this project - what it costs, how long it takes, what a fair quote looks like and which details change the price. Each answer below is written to stand on its own, so you can read just the one you need.
