There is no substitute for the natural beauty and durability of Western Red Cedar siding. Western Red Cedar gives your home a level of warmth and beauty that you can’t get with plastic home siding options. Western Red Cedar is also naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks. Unlike cedar, plastic house siding doesn’t have any natural defenses against things like mildew. In addition, composite siding is susceptible to fading due to sun exposure and can’t be restored or refinished like cedar once their color has faded.
Real cedar siding is one of the most sustainable exterior siding available. It produces the least greenhouse gas, air pollution, water pollution and solid waste. Not only that — Western Red Cedar lumber is harvested from the most sustainably managed forests in the world. So you can feel good about your wood.
Western Red Cedar is free of pitch and resin, which means it takes to stains, oils and finishes very well. As a result, you have a lot of siding color options. The same goes for the style options. For example, you can go for the warm traditional feel of layered bevel or you can streamline your home’s look with some super sleek, tongue and groove siding or you can get creative with your own board and batten pattern.
Cedar Siding Options
Here are some wood siding options:
Bevel Cedar Siding |
Cedar Shingles and Shakes Siding |
Board and Batten Siding |
Cedar Lap Siding (Channel) |
Cedar Tongue and Groove Siding |
Cedar Siding Comparison Chart
| Product | Cost* | Maintenance | Installation | Finish Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T&G | ||||
| 1×4 Clear Cedar | $6.40 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1×4 Tight Knot Cedar | $2.72 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1×6 Clear Cedar | $6.62 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1×6 Tight Knot Cedar | $3.36 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| Shingles and Shakes | ||||
| 16″ #1 Shingle with 5″ Exposure | $2.14 SQF | High | Moderate / Difficult | Stainable / Paintable |
| 18″ Rake Shake with 14″ Exposure | $1.98 SQF | High | Moderate / Difficult | Stainable / Paintable |
| 18″ Rake Shake Primed with 14″ Exposure | $2.24 SQF | Moderate | Moderate / Difficult | Paintable |
| 1 Course Shingle Panel | $2.91 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 3 Course Shingle Panel | $5.10 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| Bevel Siding | ||||
| 1/2×6 Clear Cedar | $3.75 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1/2×6 Finger Jointed Cedar Primed | $2.74 SQF | Moderate | Easy / Moderate | Paintable |
| 1/2×8 Clear Cedar | $4.00 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1/2×8 Finger Jointed Cedar Primed | $2.55 SQF | Moderate | Easy / Moderate | Paintable |
| 3/4×8 Clear Cedar | $6.14 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 3/4×8 Finger Jointed Cedar Primed | $3.66 SQF | Moderate | Easy / Moderate | Paintable |
| 3/4×10 Clear Cedar | $6.75 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 3/4×10 Finger Jointed Cedar Primed | $3.15 SQF | Moderate | Easy / Moderate | Paintable |
| Channel Siding | ||||
| 1×6 Cedar Tight Knot Channel | $3.00 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1×8 Cedar Tight Knot Channel | $2.80 SQF | High | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| 1×6 Cedar Finger Jointed Pattern Siding | $4.41 SQF | Moderate | Easy / Moderate | Stainable / Paintable |
| Board and Batten | Very expensive | |||
* Note: cost is estimate only