A home’s exterior is an essential part of the home because it reflects its condition. A beautifully painted wood siding will have an aesthetic appeal to the homeowner and increase the resale value of the home.
On average, the cost to paint wood siding is approximately $700 to $3,000, with a national average of $2,911. The price can be as low as $620 and as high as $6,500. This cost will depend on the type of paint used, condition, and geographic location.,
Typically, wood siding material is cheaper than vinyl or brick siding. Thus, the installation and painting costs will be lower compared to the other siding materials. Wood requires a sealant to make it last. This can be paint, stain, or oil.
| Service | Quantity | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden siding painting cost | Sq ft. | $1.2 | $3.5 |
| Wooden siding labour cost | 1 Hrs | $32 | $75 |
| Wooden siding paint job supplies | 100 Sq ft. | $21 | $24 |
| Total per square foot | $1.2 | $3.5 | |
| Repair or strip old boards | 1 H | $32 | $75 |
| Total for project (Avg. sq ft. house) | 2,467 | $2,900 | $8,634 |
The national average cost of materials to paint a wood siding is about $0.21 per square foot. The average cost of labor is $42 per hour. For a typical 2,467 square foot house, expect to pay an average of $4,250.
The actual cost to paint your wood siding will depend on the size of the project, conditions, finish options, and location. Therefore, ensure you put all these factors into consideration before you start your painting project.
Wooden siding painting per square foot
The average cost to paint wood siding is $1.2 to $3.5 per square foot. This cost will vary depending on several factors such as your geographic location, job size, finish options, and the condition of the siding.
To accurately estimate the overall cost to paint wood siding, make sure you do some research. Look for painting contractors on the web and compare their rates. Also, ask your friends and neighbors for referrals or recommendations. This will help you to compare different quotations and settle for the best offer.
Wooden siding repair and prep cost
Wood siding makes the home beautiful and appealing. It protects and enhances your home’s exterior and can last for many years if maintained well. However, wood siding is more susceptible to damage than other siding materials such as vinyl or wood. It may even cost more to maintain it than other sidings.
Typically, wood siding includes shingles, logs, shakes, and clapboard. Clapboard is commonly used in most homes, but it is more vulnerable to insect infestation and rot. Generally, all wood siding materials are susceptible to dry rot, warping, and splitting.
If your wood siding requires repairs, expect to pay about $32 to $75 per hour for the repairs. This price can increase depending on the extent of the damage.
Common wood siding problems
Wood siding features different materials, and its natural construction makes it susceptible to damaging elements such as pests, water, and sun. For this reason, you will need several repairs for the siding. The common repairs for wood siding include:
Filing/patching holes
Pests and general rot can cause holes in wood siding. You may find many small holes on the siding as it ages. It is easy to fix wood siding using the following steps.
- Clean the holes with a strong and stiff bristle brush and pull out all loose material.
- Apply enough wood putty into each hole and leave it to dry
- Once the putty is dry, sand the surface to get rid of excess putty and ensure the surface is smooth and even with the wood’s surface.
- Re-stain or re-paint the board for an even finish.
The cost to patch holes is about $100 to $200, while a professional can charge you approximately $40 to$50 per hour.
Repairing warped wood siding
Wood siding tends to warp if excess moisture penetrates boards with insufficient spacing. The cheapest and easiest way to repair warped wood is to drive extra screws to return the panels in place. This may not always work, and you may need to remove the boards, shorten them then put them back.
You may pay a professional about $40 to$50 per hour on average, but the cost can be higher if the damage is more extensive.
Replacing wood siding
If rot or mold has caused extensive damages to the wood siding, you will need to replace it. This kind of repair is complex because rotting wood siding indicates a more profound problem underneath. As a result, you need to hire professionals to test for rot and mold, which is usually very expensive.
If the damaged area is not significant, you can replace it with a board from a less visible area of the wall. Then, you can replace the board from the less visible area with a less matching board.
The cost to replace wood siding can go up to $1000 or more depending on the extent of the damage and availability of matching boards or shingles. You can pay an average of $40 to $50 for labor and materials.
In case there is dry rot underneath, this cost will increase significantly. This is because there will be additional labor and material costs.
Sanding and prepping flaking paint
One of the most common reasons for repainting wooden siding is the old paint is flaking. In a lot of cases, you can not just give it a light sand and repaint. The effect is horrible. You will need to have the old paint stripped and removed.
The cost of striping per hour is generally a little more than painting as it is harder work. You can expect to pay $50 – $60 per hour for stripping before any paint is applied.
Average cost to repair wood siding
| Repair type | Cost per hour | Average total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Patching holes | $40 to$50 | $100 to$200 |
| Repairing warped boards | $40 to$50 | $300 to$400 |
| Replacing boards | $40 to$50 | $1000+ |
| Stripping old paint | $50 – 60 per hour | $1500 |
Exterior wooden paint vs. Regular wood paint
When painting your wood siding, it is paramount to use paint specially designed for exterior wood siding. The paint should be durable and resistant to fading.
Exterior paint usually retains its color for longer compared to regular paint. Also, it lasts longer and has higher paint elasticity. More so, it will be more pliable and will not fade fast like regular paint.
For this reason, you should always select exterior paint engineered specifically for wood siding. This is because it will carry properties that will protect and extend the life of the siding.
When selecting exterior paint, make sure you know the finish you want. Generally, you can choose three finish options, which include flat, satin, or gloss. Satin paints are best for exterior wood siding as well as trims and doors. Thus, they make an excellent choice when looking for exterior paint.
The best paint for wood siding should be 100% solid acrylic latex emulsion. You should use this paint with a primer for best results, especially if the wall needs repairs or the old paint needs stripping.
Do I need to prime wooden siding before painting?
It is vital to prime bare wood siding before painting it because the primer helps to seal the grain, prevents moisture from passing through, and helps the paint adhere better. This may feel like extra work, but it will save you time and money in the long run.
When to prime
If you are panting over a bare wood surface, a primer is essential for optimal paint adhesion. Primers contain strong binders in their formulations that improve paint adhesion. It helps in making the surface even for a flawless paint finish. Also, it helps you get better coverage and conserves paint.
A primer is also essential if you are stripping old paint from the wood siding. After stripping the failing paint, you will sand and clean the surface, then apply a primer.
In case you are painting over old paint, which is different from the paint you intend to use, you should use a primer. For instance, if the old paint is oil-based and you are using water-based paint, a primer will create a bridge for the two paints. As a result, the new paint will adhere better to the surface and make the job effortless.
When to skip the primer
If you are painting wood siding that is already painted, you may skip the primer. This is, however, only applicable if the old paint is still intact. Also, you must thoroughly clean the surface before painting. Some paint comes off from some parts, spot-prime those areas, and then paints the entire surface.
How often do you need to paint wood siding?
Experts recommend painting your house every five to ten years. This will, however, depend on where you live, the weather, and the climate. Also, the previous paint job will determine how long you will take before painting your home.
The time you will take before painting your siding will also depend on the type of siding material. For wood siding, you should paint it every three to seven years. If the surface is stained, you can re-stain it every four years.
Several factors can affect the durability of exterior paint. These include:
Previous paint job– the type and quality of paint used, number of coats, and the color may affect the longevity of the paint job. If you buy a house, ensure you find out when it was last painted to know when you need to repaint it.
When painting, ensure you use 100% acrylic paint and high-quality lighter shades as they tend to last longer. Also, apply two to three paints to extend the life of the paint.
Element’s damage– the weather of the area you live in also affects the paint’s longevity. For instance, direct sunlight makes the paint bubble, while harsh winters make the paint age quickly.
House maintenance– if you fail to maintain your home’s exterior regularly, the paint may age faster than expected. Always watch for wear and tear signs as well as dampness, chalkiness, rot, and rodent/insect infestation. By taking care of problems immediately, you will make the paint job last longer.
Can I paint over old paint?
Painting over old paint will depend on the condition of the paint. For instance, if the walls are:
Same color good condition– if the new coat is similar to the old paint, you may not need a primer. For example, if both old and new paint is oil-based or latex, they will blend perfectly. This means you can paint on the old paint comfortably provided you clean the surface first.
Some paint may chip off when cleaning, which may call for spot-priming on these areas.
Same color bad condition– if you need to do some minor or major repairs on the surface before painting it, you may need a primer. The primer will ensure a smooth and consistent base that will make the paint job finish appealing and even.
Usually, primers mask imperfections and enhance paint adhesion. Therefore, applying it will make the surface look uniform and beautiful after painting.
Different paint types– if you are using a different paint such as latex on oil-based paint, you will need to prime the surface first. This is because these paints will not blend and will require a primer to bridge the gap.
You may need two coats of paint for the surface for an even paint job finish. Also, this will extend the life of the paint.
Cost factors to consider
Materials – You cannot start any project before you determine the overall cost of the project. Materials used for the project are many, and they are all priced differently. For instance, if you plan to paint wood siding, you should determine the price of paint, paintbrushes, rollers, protective gear, painter’s tape, and primers, among others. This will help you to calculate the overall estimate for your project.
The quality of materials you will use will also dictate the overall cost to paint wood siding. Usually, high-end materials cost more than low-end materials. So, you can decide what materials you will use for the job.
Even if high-quality materials come at a higher price, it is crucial to use them for a long-lasting paint job. This will save you time and money in the long run because high-quality paint will last longer than low-quality paint.
Preparing worksite – ideally, every worksite needs preparation before beginning any painting project. The exterior of your house may have outdoor furniture, flowers, and many other essential household items. You should move these items in advance to ensure the painting job runs smoothly.
A handyman may help you move essential items, and you will need to pay him/her either an hourly rate or a flat rate. You should include this cost in the overall estimate to get the right total for the project.
Preparing surface – when planning to paint our wood siding, you must check the condition of the wood first. If it is in good condition, you will spend very little money on the prep work. However, if the surface needs repairs, you must handle them first before painting commences.
Common wood repairs include cracks, holes, warping, rot, and infestations. The cost of these repairs will depend on their extent.
Testing or remediation– testing and remediation cost depends on the condition of the surface. For instance, if you notice dry rot on the surface, you should hire professionals to test the surface. Dry rot indicates a deeper problem that calls for more extensive and costly repairs.
If you fail to do mold testing even after noticing dry rot on the wood, you may end up paying more money for the repairs in the future. You may require mold-killing paint if mold is present, and you should include this cost in the overall painting cost.
Permits or inspection fees– most states or municipalities require permits for siding projects. If you are painting the siding, you may not need to pay any fees. However, if you are undertaking significant repairs, you may pay up to $5000 for the permit. Make sure you check with your local authorities to know whether you need a license for your project.
