Real wood siding is the warmest, most architectural exterior cladding available. Cedar, cypress, and pine in shiplap, tongue-and-groove, and board-and-batten profiles. The challenge in Houston is humidity. Wood installed flat to the wall traps moisture and fails inside 15 years. Wood installed on a rain screen with proper kick-out flashings and a quality penetrating oil finish lasts 30 to 50 years and ages beautifully. This page covers the three species we install most, the rain screen detail we use on every install, and when wood is the right call vs Hardie ColorPlus.
- Cost?
- $10 to $20 per sq ft of wall area installed in Houston.
- Lifespan?
- 30 to 50 years on properly detailed cedar or cypress.
- Maintenance?
- Refresh stain or oil every 4 to 6 years (or let it weather).
- Best species for Houston?
- Cypress. Native, rot-resistant, handles humidity.
Three species we install most
Cypress. Gulf Coast native, naturally rot and insect resistant, handles Houston humidity better than any other wood siding species. Available in shiplap, tongue-and-groove, and board-and-batten. Weathers to silver-gray naturally or holds stain well. The default recommendation for Houston wood siding.
Western red cedar. Lighter, more dimensionally stable than cypress. Holds stain color longer. Available in clear vertical-grain (premium) and knotty grades. The right choice for stained finishes and architectural projects with a Pacific Northwest or Craftsman aesthetic.
Heart pine and yellow pine. The traditional Houston wood siding from the 1900s. Available in reclaimed boards from old buildings and as new sustainably-harvested stock. Requires more maintenance than cedar or cypress but delivers the period-correct look on historic homes.
The rain screen detail (non-negotiable)
Wood siding installed flat against the house wrap traps water behind every board. The water cannot dry. The wood rots from the back side in 12 to 18 years. The rain screen detail solves this by furring the siding off the wall with 3/8 inch vertical battens, creating a continuous airspace behind the cladding. Water that gets behind the wood drains down, air flows up, the wood dries from both sides. Adds about 15 percent to install cost. Doubles the service life. We use it on every wood siding install with no exceptions.
Profiles we install
Shiplap. Boards overlap with a rebated joint. Clean horizontal lines, modern aesthetic, easy to install correctly.
Tongue-and-groove. Boards interlock with a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other. Tight weather seal, best for vertical applications.
Board-and-batten. Wide vertical boards with narrow battens covering the seams. Farmhouse and barn aesthetic, looks great on tall gable walls.
Rain screen on every install
3/8 inch furring battens create airspace behind the cladding.
Stainless steel fasteners
Galvanized fasteners stain cedar and cypress. We use stainless.
Penetrating oil finishes
Cabot, Sikkens, Cutek. Refresh in place, no sanding or stripping.
Kick-out flashings
Every roof-to-wall intersection. Wood siding amplifies water damage if these are missing.
Heart cypress and clear cedar
Premium grades for projects where appearance matters.
30 to 50 year service life
On properly detailed installs with refresh cycles.
