Horizontal wood siding also known as wood lap siding is commonly used for its traditional look and feel.
Choosing the right style of wood siding to give your home a facelift can significantly increase your property’s value and give it a timeless aesthetic.
Once you know the available varieties and approximate costs, you’ll be well on your way to deciding on the best horizontal wood siding for your home.
If you are ready to replace your old house siding, contact your local siding pros for FREE ESTIMATES!
Cost Of Horizontal Wood Siding
As with home projects generally, your wood siding budget will be subject to two factors: the material and installation costs.
Some materials are pricey, and some siding is trickier to install, which will also increase the project’s cost.
Here is an overview of the average cost of wood siding based on a 1,500-square-foot exterior:
| Average Cost of Wood Siding (based on 1,500 square foot exterior) | |
|---|---|
| Highest Cost | $23,000 |
| Lowest Cost | $7,000 |
| Average Cost | $12,500 |
Wood Siding Cost per Square Foot
Wood siding tends to be priced per square foot, and costs vary depending on the wood used.
The size of your property will determine the amount of material needed.
Wood siding for a large property will cost more even if a budget-friendly type of wood siding is chosen because, of course, more material is required to finish the job.
You can also use our Siding Calculator to estimate your siding replacement cost.
| Average Cost per Square Foot | |
|---|---|
| Materials only | $1 – $5 |
| Installation only | $2 – $5 |
The installation could easily double the overall project price, so many homeowners consider installing the siding themselves.
But if the wood siding selected is troublesome to handle or the property layout is too intricate, homeowners think an expert installation is worth the cost.
Wood Lap Siding Cost By Wood Type
The different types of wood siding are priced differently. This is a rundown of the cost per square foot for various types of wood siding:
Softwood
Softwoods are an inexpensive choice for wood siding. However, their quality is not as good as hardwoods and engineered siding regarding rot resistance, for example.
| Softwood | |
|---|---|
| Douglas fir | $5 – $15 |
| Redwood | $4 – $14 |
| Cedar | $3 – $10 |
| Cypress | $1 – $5 |
| Pine | $1 – $5 |
Hardwood
Hardwoods provide exceptional rot resistance but are generally more expensive and more challenging to install.
| Hardwood | |
|---|---|
| Ipe | $8 – $15 |
| Garapa | $7.50 – $9.50 |
| Cumaru | $6 – $8 |
| Teak | $5 – $8 |
| Massaranduba | $4 – $9 |
| Accoya | $4 – $9 |
Engineered Wood
Engineered woods, like plywood, are usually the most inexpensive choice.
| Engineered Wood | |
|---|---|
| Composite | $3 – $7 |
| Plywood/T1-11 | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Hardboard/Masonite | $1.50 – $3.50 |
Did you know? Insulated siding can significantly increase your property’s R-Value (thermal resistance). Cedar ridge has one of the best R-Values around.
See costs in your area
Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code
Horizontal Wood Siding Installation Cost
The installation cost for wood siding is approximately between $1 and $6 per square foot.
The more work required to install a particular type of siding, the more expensive the installation job.
To give you an idea of installation costs, here are some examples of wood siding installation costs per square foot:
| Approximate Installation Costs | |
|---|---|
| Tongue and Groove | $2 – $5 |
| Shingle/Shake | $2.50 – $6 |
| Engineered/Plywood | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Log | $1 – $4 |
| Lap | $1.50 – $3 |
| Board and Batten | $1 – $2 |
What Is Wood Siding?
Wood siding is a natural and attractive material installed on a property’s exterior to protect it from the elements.
Some siding designs are intended for vertical installation, while others like shingles, shakes, or clapboards are fitted horizontally.
Homeowners in North America mostly prefer siding made from redwood and cedar wood.
Wood’s natural beauty and strength make it a popular siding option for use in traditional architecture such as bungalows, cottages, and Cape Code exteriors.
The style and type of wood can cause the pricing to vary significantly, but it can be a positive economic investment. It can last a long time with regular maintenance to sustain its durability and rich aesthetic.
What Is Horizontal Siding?
Horizontal siding is typically referred to as lap siding. This design requires the installation of long exterior boards from left to right (horizontally). And traditionally, natural wood boards are used to achieve this popular look.
Horizontal Wood Siding Styles
Here are some of the most popular styles of horizontal wood siding.
Clapboard Siding
Clapboard siding is simple, and traditional clapboard offers a true vertical grain as it’s cut outwardly from the log and is up to 6-inches wide.
Beveled Siding
Beveled siding resembles a near-isosceles triangle when viewed on the end. Bevel and bungalow siding are versions produced in the 20th century that have a random grain as they are usually recut from boards for widths of 8-inches or more.
Manufacturers advise nailing contemporary recut bevel siding through one board to accommodate left-side wood movement.
Traditional New England clapboard with the natural vertical grain is normally nailed through both panels to the sheathing.
See costs in your area
Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code
Novelty Siding
The term novelty siding pertains to all drop and milled siding designs that lie flush against the wall. It is often connected with the universal cove design, also named German siding.
Novelty siding has probably been in use since the 1860s. It is usually edge-matched in a shiplap joint and also manufactured in tongue-and-groove.
A variation of novelty siding, often called channel rustic siding, exchanges the bevel-style siding for the cove-style.
Tongue-and-groove original varieties can be blind-nailed at the tongue on the left.
Cove-style novelty siding is usually face-nailed, occasionally directly to studs on properties in light-weather regions or on the right of buildings.
Rustic Siding
Rustic siding is an umbrella term often used for many siding varieties milled to create the resemblance of timber.
A familiar use of log cabin siding is a skinned log mock-up and shiplapped joints.
Using a single nail, log cabin siding is usually face-nailed above the rabbet edge. However, broad patterns may need nails on each edge.
Dolly Varden Siding
Dolly Varden is sometimes considered rustic siding, especially when milled with an unplanned design.
Dolly Varden is a bevel siding copy created with a rabbeted bottom edge so the siding can install flat on the wall using a tight joint.
Dolly Varden siding may date back to at least the 1930s. Requiring one nail, it is usually face-nailed over the rabbet edge, but broad patterns may need nails on each edge.
Double Ogee Siding
Double ogee siding represents a broad subclass of drop siding varieties.
Double ogee is a sole siding board milled to portray the shadow lines of two boards. This idea was used with several other patterns, and in some regions, the concept was expanded to triple ogee siding.
Generally, the products were shiplapped. However, they also emerged in tongue-and-groove types.
Double ogee siding became widespread by 1910.
Double ogee is characteristically face-nailed over the rabbet edge using one nail, though broad patterns may need nails on each edge.
Pro Tip: Light-colored siding will make your property appear bigger and look more inviting. And if your home is away from the curb, a light color helps to bring the structure forward visually.
Common Types of Wood Used For Lap Siding
Here is a list of popular wood types used in siding:
- Cypress
- Redwood
- Fir
- Spruce
- Cedar
- Pine
- Engineered wood
Can Wood Siding Be Installed Horizontally?
Yes, horizontal siding is available in several wood types, such as cedar, pine, and redwood.
Wood Siding Grades
Building codes do not consider grading because wood siding is usually only rated on its look. While many wood siding suppliers follow grading systems from agencies like the WWPA, they mostly choose their own wood grades.
It’s always best to examine and compare samples before you buy.
Common terms and descriptions include:
- Clear: This designates that the wood is defect and knots-free—generally, the fewer knots, the more expensive the wood.
- Number 1: This indicates high quality and reasonably clear wood with a premium finish.
- Number 2: This grading suggests that the wood will have more knots than Number 1 wood type; therefore, it is slightly less expensive. However, Number 2 wood is still high-quality.
- Grade A to Grade D: “Grade A” wood has a tarnish-free surface. “Grade D” wood surface has large knotholes in addition to some splits and checks.
Pros And Cons Of Horizontal Wood Siding
Here are the main advantages and drawbacks of choosing horizontal wood siding compared to vertical siding.
Pros of Horizontal Wood Siding
- Traditional and aesthetically pleasing look.
- More budget-friendly.
- Easier and can be less expensive to install.
- Faster installation process.
Cons of Horizontal Wood Siding
- Water can get into areas and cause water damage.
- It has the potential to warp, which can lead to a mold and mildew situation.
It’s more challenging to clean.
See costs in your area
Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code
What Maintenance Is Required For Lap Wood Siding?
With excellent maintenance, wood siding can last for the lifetime of your home.
To keep it looking good and working efficiently, regular maintenance is required:
Keep It Clean
You can clean your wood siding by scrubbing it down using soapy water and a garden hose a few times each year.
Avoid using a pressure washer as you risk damaging the siding or forcing water through gaps or cracks.
To help make the task easier, consider cleaning it in sections. Ensure you wash away any rust spots or mildew.
If your siding is painted, once the water dries, you may find areas where the paintwork requires some attention with a touch-up.
Maintaining Painted Siding
First, scrub any worn or chipped areas with a stiff wire brush to keep your painted wood siding looking good.
Then remove any remaining loose paint using a paint scraper if necessary.
The area that needs repainting may become more prominent. However, it’s best to remove as much chipped paint as possible.
Lastly, sand down the scrapped area before painting.
Other maintenance tips include:
- Trim any shrubs or tree limbs touching the siding.
- If your siding is stained, reapply the water repellent stain at least once a year.
- If you notice damaged or missing caulk, promptly replace it.
- If you notice loose or broken siding, contact a professional.
Did you know? Cedar siding has been the wood siding of choice for hundreds of years due to its low maintenance and natural beauty.
What Is The Best Exterior Wood Siding?
Redwood is one of the strongest and preferred woods used in siding. It has little resin, so it absorbs stains and other finishes easily.
Redwood does not shrink compared to different types, so it doesn’t change its shape as much; this reduces warping and cupping.
See costs in your area
Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code
How To Choose Wood Siding
Installing new wood siding and improving your home’s curb appeal makes the investment worthwhile.
Here are some of the most commonly installed wood siding types to help you consider why you may or may not want it installed on your property.
Cedar and Pine Siding
Cedar and pine are the two main wood species used for exterior siding.
Types of cedar include red, eastern white, and Alaskan yellow cedar, each offering a color true to its name.
Pine siding can be highly affordable. However, it is not rot- and insect-resistant like cedar.
Cedar siding offers dimensional stability since it won’t crack, expand, contract, and warp like pine.
Whatever type of wood siding you go for, it will look better and last longer with a protective finish.
But if you prefer the aesthetic of authentic wood grain, clear exterior UV protection formulas are available.
Wood Shingle Siding
Some wood siding types can be fitted over current siding. For example, wood shingle siding can be installed over older clapboard siding.
However, in most cases, you’re better off removing the old siding first.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood siding is ideal if you like the look, feel, and overall characteristics of wood siding and not the expense of cedar siding or the low strength of pine.
The variations of engineered wood siding include clapboards manufactured from resin and wood flakes.
Plywood “T1-11” panels can be fitted straight over wood framing to eliminate the requirement for exterior sheathing.
Horizontal Wood Siding Offers Traditional Curb Appeal
Many wood species used for horizontal siding can provide a classic aesthetic with a modern feel.
As many homeowners still prefer the traditional look, horizontal wood siding is ideal for achieving this effect and increasing your property’s curb appeal.
It is more cost-effective and quicker to install than vertical siding. However, it is susceptible to water damage.
Consider talking to a professional about any concerns you may have, and they should be able to assist you in making the right decision.
