Wood Siding
Nothing looks quite like real wood. Cedar shakes, shingles and lap boards bring warmth and character, especially to traditional and historic homes.
Natural wood siding
Wood siding comes in several classic styles: tapered cedar shakes and shingles with their textured, overlapping look; lap siding (clapboard) with long horizontal boards; and vertical board-and-batten. Decorative shapes like fish-scale shingles are often used in gables and on Victorian homes.
Cedar is a favorite because it's naturally resistant to rot and insects and stays dimensionally stable. It can be stained to show the grain, left to weather to a silver-gray, or painted any color.
The trade-off is upkeep. Wood needs to be sealed, stained or painted on a regular schedule to stay protected, especially on walls that get a lot of sun or weather. For homeowners who love the real thing, it's worth it.
Why homeowners choose wood siding.
Natural beauty
Real grain and texture that synthetic products imitate.
Historic character
Right for traditional, Victorian and historic homes.
Any finish
Stain, paint or let cedar weather naturally.
Renewable material
A natural, renewable building material.
Is wood siding right for your home?
A great fit for
Historic and traditional homes
Keeps the authentic look of the original exterior.
Cottage and craftsman styles
Cedar shakes suit their warm, textured look.
Gables and accents
Shingles or fish-scale accents on part of the facade.
Homeowners who love real wood
And don't mind regular upkeep.
Good to know
Regular maintenance
Needs re-staining or repainting on a schedule.
Moisture management
Proper flashing and clearances help prevent rot.
Higher cost
Quality cedar and its installation cost more than vinyl.
Wood Siding: common questions
Something we didn’t cover? Call (630) 901-6361 and ask Anna directly.
How often does wood siding need maintenance?
It depends on the finish and exposure. Stains generally need refreshing more often than paint, and sunny, weather-exposed walls need attention sooner. We'll talk through a realistic schedule for your home.
Is cedar siding good for Chicago weather?
Yes, when it's installed with a proper weather barrier, flashing and clearances and kept finished. Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insects and handles temperature swings well.
Can I mix wood siding with other materials?
Absolutely. A common approach is lap siding on the main walls with cedar shakes or decorative shingles in the gables or on a front porch.
Is there a lower-maintenance option that looks like wood?
Yes. Fiber cement and some vinyl and steel products have convincing wood textures with much less upkeep. We can show you samples next to real cedar.
Other siding we install.
Get a free estimate on wood siding.
We’ll measure, walk you through options and send a written quote, usually within 48 hours. No pressure, no obligation.