Wood and cedar siding in Fort Wayne
Wood and cedar siding on a Fort Wayne house lasts when every board is primed or stained on all six sides and can dry from behind, and that's how we put it up.
Four looks, four price ranges
| Style | Installed, per sq ft | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Wood lap (clapboard) | $4 to $9 | Horizontal boards, each overlapping the one below |
| Cedar shakes or shingles | $6 to $20 | Split or sawn cedar pieces, laid in courses like a roof |
| Board-and-batten | $5 to $20 in wood | Wide vertical boards with narrow strips over the joints |
| Log or half-log | $7 to $25 | Rounded boards that look like stacked logs |
Board-and-batten also comes in vinyl ($4 to $10 a square foot), fiber cement ($4 to $15) and engineered wood ($6 to $12), with the same vertical look and less upkeep.
How much wood and cedar siding costs in Fort Wayne
Nationally, wood siding averages about $14,500 for a whole house, cedar about $18,000 and board-and-batten about $14,000. Those figures assume a house of roughly 2,000 square feet; a ranch with less wall costs less.
| Siding | Whole house, typical |
|---|---|
| Wood | $8,000 to $28,000 |
| Cedar (lap, shakes or shingles) | $10,000 to $32,000 |
| Board-and-batten | $7,500 to $23,000 |
How wood siding lasts here
Wood fails from water that can't get out. Three details in the quote decide how long it lasts in a climate with wet springs and freeze-thaw winters:
- Every board primed or stained on all six sides before it goes up, cut ends included, so moisture can't soak in from behind.
- A rain screen or furring strips behind the boards, so the back of the siding can dry.
- Stainless or hot-dipped galvanized nails. Plain steel leaves black streaks on cedar.
Matching what's already on the house
Patching an older wood-sided house means matching the board width, profile and reveal. Common profiles are still sold; odd ones can be milled to match. We'll take a short offcut from a hidden spot and match it.
Wood siding questions
Is cedar worth the extra cost over pine?
Usually, yes: cedar resists rot and insects better than pine and moves less as it wets and dries, which is why it's used for shakes. It costs more, and it still needs a finish to keep its color.
Can board-and-batten go on just part of the house?
Yes. Gables, an entry wall or a porch are common spots, with lap siding elsewhere. The two meet at trim boards, and we'll plan the layout with you.
Does wood siding need lead-safe work?
Putting up new wood doesn't. Removing or cutting old painted siding on a house built before 1978 does, once more than 20 square feet of painted surface is disturbed outside.
How is engineered wood different from real wood?
Engineered wood is wood strands bonded with resin and sold primed or prefinished. It costs less than cedar and comes in lap, panel and board-and-batten styles.
What the quote usually covers
Usually included
- Boards primed or stained on all sides
- Rain gap and flashing behind the wood
- Stainless or coated nails
Often priced separately
- Stain or paint after install
- Log or half-log siding
- Matching an old profile with custom-milled boards
Confirm both lists in your written quote.
Get your free in-home estimate
A few quick questions. Here's what happens next:
- We call you backTo hear about your house and pick a time that works for you.
- We measure everythingEvery window and wall, so your price is right the first time.
- You get it in writingProduct, trim, clean-up and a start date, all on one page.
Let's take care of your house
Call us or send a few quick answers. We'll come out, measure everything and give you a clear price in writing.