Costs of Stucco Vs. Wood Siding

Installing stucco siding will cost the consumer more money than installing wood siding regardless of the type of wood. Wood siding is some of the cheapest siding on the market.

Cost

The overall cost of stucco siding can be far more than that for wood. According to Service Magic, it can cost the consumer between $6 and $9 per square foot to have stucco siding installed by a professional contractor. Wood siding can cost the consumer anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000 ($2.40 to $8 per square foot) to have a 1,250 square foot area of wood siding installed by a professional.

Factors

Certain factors contribute to the overall price tag associated with stucco or wood siding installation projects. There are several grades of stucco used for siding. Using cheaper synthetic stucco can significantly decrease the overall price. Installing 1,250 feet of cheap-engineered plywood can cost up to $5,000. Installing the same amount of yellow pine siding runs $6,500 to $7,500. If using spruce or fir, the price tag can be $7,000 to $8,500. Cedar and redwood are some of the most expensive woods for siding, costing the consumer $9,000 to $10,000 to have 1,250 square feet of siding professionally installed, according to Cost Helper.

Installation

Most of the overall costs associated with stucco siding lie in the installation, according to Service Magic. Because of the complexities involved with installing stucco siding, the recommendation is that only licensed professionals install it. Wood siding however, is much easier to work with than stucco. Even the moderately-skilled handyman can install wood siding if he follows proper methods. Self-installing wood siding can dramatically lower the cost of a project.

Additional Costs

Wood siding has with many more additional costs than stucco. Wood siding in warmer climates can encourage mold growth if left untreated. Wood treatments can be quite costly given the sheer volume of product needed for an entire home. Many consumers opt to paint or stain their wood siding. Wood siding should receive fresh paint every few years. Apply oil finishes to wood siding in dry climates to keep it from prematurely deteriorating, according to Cost Helper.

Features

Each material offers desirable features. Both offer some level of insulation, however, stucco siding has much more insulation value than wood. Both are very durable, but stucco siding is much more brittle, easier to stain and more difficult to repair than wood siding. Damage incurred by either type of siding should have immediately repairs because water retention can ruin walls.