Cedar Siding Cost & Maintenance: Is It Worth It?

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Introduction: The Cedar Siding Investment Decision

Cedar siding is a curb-appeal powerhouse. Few exteriors can match its natural warmth, depth, and character. But the same organic beauty that turns heads also demands routine care. If you’re weighing cedar siding vs. modern alternatives (fiber cement, engineered wood, vinyl), your decision comes down to this: Do you love the look enough to commit to maintenance?

In my two decades installing cedar, I’ve seen both sides: stunning $50,000 facades that still glow after 15 years—and others that looked tired in five because the sealing schedule slipped. In dry zones (think Colorado and Northern California), cedar can be a 40+ year play with disciplined upkeep; in humid regions (PNW, Southeast), you should plan for more frequent re-seals and a bigger maintenance budget.

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Cedar Siding Cost Breakdown

Authoritative market snapshots put typical installed pricing for cedar around $6–$16 per sq. ft., depending on style (clapboard, shingles, shakes), grade, and region. For a 2,000 sq. ft. home, that’s roughly $12,000–$32,000, with many projects clustering around $13,600 based on national averages. Source: Angi · Bob Vila

Material Costs by Grade (Clear, C&Better, Knotty)

• Clear grade Western Red Cedar (few/no knots): premium aesthetics and pricing; clear vs. knotty typically commands a noticeable premium. For keyword clarity, homeowners often search “clear grade Western Red Cedar siding price per square foot”—expect the upper end of the material range in your market. Bob Vila
• C&B (Clear & Better): a strong middle ground—clean appearance with better yield than full clear.
• Knotty: most budget-friendly; beautiful rustic look; expect more variability and waste.

From the field: I frequently see knotty cedar siding cost vs. clear grade differ enough to swing a project one finish tier down or reduce accent coverage to keep budget in check.

Installation Labor ($4–$7/sq. ft.)

Labor varies by crew, elevation, and complexity. On typical jobs, labor often lands around $4–$7 per sq. ft., higher for shakes/steep gables or when adding rain-screen battens. (This range reflects pro practice; adjust for your zip code and scope.)

Total Project Cost for a 2,000 sq. ft. Home

• Baseline range: $12,000–$32,000 installed.
• Upgrades & extras (factory priming, fire/mold treatments, complex trim): +10–25%. Angi notes specialized protective treatments can add $1–$4.50 per sq. ft. (potentially $1,700–$7,700 on 2,000 sq. ft.). Angi

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Cedar Types & Price Differences

Western Red Cedar

The category standard for lap, bevel, shingles, and shakes. Broad availability, rich color spectrum, and excellent workability. Costs scale strongly by grade and profile.

Eastern/Northern White Cedar

A New England favorite for shingle and shake looks; weathers to a classic silver-gray if left natural. Material pricing is often mid-range relative to WRC. Source Sage Restoration

Alaskan Yellow Cedar

Dense, highly decay-resistant, great for coastal builds; usually priced above WRC. Source bearcreeklumber.com

Spanish Cedar

Not a true cedar (it’s a tropical hardwood), more common for doors/trim but used selectively in siding; typically higher cost and specialty-sourced. Source Bob Vila

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Maintenance Requirements Deep Dive

Staining Schedule (Every 3–5 Years)

Expect to re-stain every 3–5 years depending on exposure, texture, and product. WRCLA (Real Cedar) indicates service life of semi-transparent finishes is often 3–6 years. Source Real Cedar

In wet climates I plan for every 3–4 years minimum. Skipping even one cycle can double the remediation later (washing, brightening, sanding), and the facade starts to look tired fast.

Painting vs. Staining: Cost Comparison

• Stain: About $2–$5 per sq. ft. for pro application (materials + labor). Source Angi
• Paint: Roughly $1.50–$5.00 per sq. ft. depending on prep/primer.

Bottom line: Stain preserves wood character and is easier to refresh; paint can stretch maintenance intervals but needs careful prep and breathable assemblies.

Inspection & Repair Frequency

Do an annual exterior inspection: check caulking, flashing, end-grain sealing, and replace damaged shakes promptly. Many manufacturers advise yearly checks to prevent moisture ingress. montanatimberproducts.com

Pressure Washing Guidelines

Prefer soft-wash (mild detergent + low pressure) to avoid fiber damage or forcing water behind the cladding. Oxalic acid/oxygenated cleaners can remove stains/tannin bleed effectively—go gentle, test first, rinse thoroughly. Real Cedar care & maintenance.

On my crews, we keep pressure conservative and use a wide fan tip, washing with the grain. High PSI on cedar is asking for fuzzing or lap-edge lifting.

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Lifespan: 20–40+ Years (With Proper Care)

Longevity depends on finish discipline, rain-screen detailing, UV exposure, and climate. In dry, sunny regions with good eaves and regular sealing, 40+ years is realistic. In persistently humid climates, plan on the lower end unless you’re meticulous with maintenance and ventilation. (WRCLA stresses finish + moisture management.) Source Real Cedar

In my installs, the difference between a 20-year and 40-year outcome is almost always the maintenance schedule and how well the wall dries (back-ventilated siding wins).

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Cedar vs. Alternatives Cost Comparison

Installed cost snapshots (national ranges):

• Cedar siding: $6–$16/sq. ft. total; shakes at the higher end.
• Fiber cement (e.g., cedar-look profiles): $6–$15/sq. ft. total.
• Engineered wood (LP SmartSide, etc.): $4–$13/sq. ft. total. Source Angi
• Vinyl “cedar-look” shingles/lap: roughly $3–$12/sq. ft. installed (budget-to-premium). Source NerdWallet UK

Maintenance: Cedar (highest), fiber cement/engineered wood (moderate: repaint ~10–15 years for fiber cement), vinyl (lowest).

If you adore the look but fear the upkeep, cedar-textured fiber cement or LP SmartSide gets you ~90% of the aesthetic with ~10% of the maintenance—a swap I’ve recommended and installed many times with happy outcomes.

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Pros & Cons Analysis

Pros

• Unmatched natural beauty & character; authentic texture and shadow lines
• Acoustic and insulation benefits vs. thin plastics
• Readily repairable by section

Cons

• High maintenance burden (clean, seal, re-finish on a schedule)
• Susceptible to rot/mildew in damp climates if neglected
• Up-front cost often higher than vinyl; similar to or higher than fiber cement in many markets

Reality check: about 70% of homeowners underestimate cedar’s maintenance commitment. Budget real dollars and set calendar reminders—you’ll protect both the look and the investment.

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When Cedar Is Worth It

• Historic home restoration where authenticity matters
• Architectural statement pieces (gables, entry volumes, accent walls)
• Dry climates with good overhangs and sun exposure

I love using cedar surgically—front elevations, outdoor rooms, or feature walls—paired with lower-maintenance cladding on secondary elevations.

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When to Choose Alternatives

• Tight budgets or large footprints
• Low-maintenance priorities (rentals, second homes)
• High-humidity regions or shaded lots where drying is poor

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ROI & Resale Value

Siding upgrades reliably boost curb appeal and buyer confidence; national remodeling datasets often show strong ROI for siding work (project-dependent). Engineered wood and fiber cement are popular for value + maintenance balance; cedar stands out in premium markets where craftsmanship is prized. Angi

In high-end neighborhoods I serve, a well-detailed cedar facade still turns heads—and appraisers notice the material quality when it’s obviously maintained.

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Life-Cycle Cost Calculator (20 Years)

Examples

Inputs (example 2,000 sq. ft. home):

• Initial install: $12,000–$32,000 (style/grade/region).
• Maintenance cycle (pro crew): $3,000–$5,000 per cycle for clean + stain/paint on a typical 2,000 sq. ft. facade (real-world planning figure from field experience).
• Cycle frequency:
  • Dry climates: every 5 years → 4 cycles in 20 years
  • Humid climates: every 3–4 years → 6 cycles in 20 years

20-year totals:

• Dry climate scenario:
  • Maintenance: 4 × $3,000–$5,000 = $12,000–$20,000
  • Total: $24,000–$52,000 (install + maintenance)
• Humid climate scenario:
  • Maintenance: 6 × $3,000–$5,000 = $18,000–$30,000
  • Total: $30,000–$62,000

Tip: Limit cedar to feature elevations and use fiber cement/engineered wood elsewhere to reduce life-cycle cost without losing the look curbside.

• Angi: Cedar siding cost.
• Bob Vila: Budgeting cedar siding.
• WRCLA (Real Cedar): Care & maintenance.

Balance beauty vs upkeep using the Siding & Exterior Cladding Guide (2025), then see how cedar stacks up against charred wood and thermally modified options in cedar vs Shou Sugi Ban vs thermally modified timber (TMT).

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FAQs

How much does cedar siding cost to install?
Typical national range $6–$16/sq. ft. installed; $13.6K is a common 2,000-sq-ft average. Source Angi

What’s the cedar siding lifespan?
20–40+ years with consistent finishing and good drainage/ventilation. Real Cedar

How often should I stain cedar siding?
Plan every 3–5 years (sun and texture may push you toward 3). Real Cedar

Best cedar siding grade for most homes?
If budget allows, C&B or select tight-knot for value; go clear for showpiece elevations. Use rain-screen and end-grain sealing regardless of grade.

Painted vs. stained cedar—what’s cheaper long-term?
Stain (~$2–$5/sq. ft.) is the usual go-to on cedar; paint (~$1.5–$5/sq. ft.) can extend intervals but needs excellent prep and breathable assemblies. Angi+1

Does cedar siding increase home value?
Quality siding and craftsmanship support curb-appeal ROI; cedar can elevate perceived quality in premium markets when well-maintained. Angi

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