I’ve worked on houses with every type of wood siding over the years. Each has its personality and its problems. Here’s what I’ve learned about the common options.
Cedar
Cedar is the standard for good reason. Natural oils make it resistant to rot and insects. It weathers to a silver-gray if left unstained, or you can maintain a colored finish. Lightweight, easy to work with, takes paint and stain well.
Downside: cost. Cedar has gotten expensive. You’re paying for quality, but the budget hits hard on a whole-house project.
Redwood
Even more rot-resistant than cedar, with beautiful rich coloring. Dense grain means it holds up well over decades. Common on older California homes where redwood was local and affordable.
Now? Redwood is expensive and harder to source sustainably. Unless you’re restoring a historic home or money is no object, cedar usually makes more sense.
Pine
Budget-friendly and widely available. Pine is soft and easy to work with. The problem is durability – it rots faster and needs more frequent maintenance than cedar. Pressure-treated pine holds up better but still isn’t as naturally resistant.
Fine for covered areas or dry climates. In wet regions, I’d spend more for cedar.
Engineered Wood
Products like LP SmartSide are wood fibers bonded with resins. More consistent than natural wood, resistant to rot, termites, and warping. Comes pre-primed for painting.
Doesn’t have the grain character of real wood. If you’re painting anyway, you might not care. For natural or stained finishes, stick with actual wood.
Siding Styles
Clapboard: Horizontal boards that overlap, the classic New England look. Sheds water well.
Board and batten: Vertical boards with narrow strips covering the seams. More rustic, common on barns and farmhouses.
Shingles: Small overlapping pieces, often staggered. Cedar shingles develop great character as they age.
Maintenance Reality
All wood siding needs maintenance. Paint or stain, inspections for damage, caulking gaps, replacing rotted boards. Plan on repainting or restaining every 5-10 years depending on your climate and exposure. Wood is beautiful but it’s not maintenance-free.
