What Type of Wood Is Best for Siding a Hammond Home?

Written by Turnkey Siding

What Type of Wood Is Best for Siding a Hammond Home?

Quick Answer: Cedar and cypress are the best all-around woods for siding in Hammond, because their heartwood naturally resists decay and they hold paint or stain well. Pine and plywood cost less, but they depend on treatment and upkeep to survive Louisiana humidity.

We already wrote about whether wood siding is worth it in Louisiana. This post assumes you’ve decided you want real wood and now need to pick one. That choice comes down to species and grade first. Budget comes after, and we’ll take them in that order.

Which Wood Species Work Best for Siding in Tangipahoa Parish?

Hammond sits inland in Tangipahoa Parish, where I-12 and I-55 cross. Being farther from the coast trims the storm-surge worry, but it’s still humid here, and frequent afternoon storms soak walls before the sun bakes them. Wood that can’t handle wet-dry cycles won’t last here.

Here’s how the common choices compare, with installed prices from HomeGuide’s wood siding cost guide (June 2025). These are national ranges, not Hammond quotes:

• Cedar, $6 to $16 per square foot installed. Naturally rot-resistant and stable, and it takes stain well. HomeGuide notes it still needs staining or sealing because its protection fades over time.
• Cypress, $4 to $16 per square foot installed. A traditional Louisiana siding wood that resists warping and splitting. Ask what you’re getting, since quality varies a lot from board to board.
• Redwood, $6 to $18 per square foot installed. Excellent performance, but HomeGuide notes it’s most popular in the Northwest, where it’s easier to source. Expect to pay for shipping here.
• Fir, $4 to $12 per square foot installed. Strong and easy to finish, but it doesn’t carry the natural decay resistance of cedar or cypress.
• Pine, $3 to $11 per square foot installed. Budget-friendly, but HomeGuide says it needs treatment to prevent moisture and insect damage.

Why the grade matters as much as the species

The USDA Forest Products Laboratory explains that a species’ decay resistance lives only in the heartwood, the darker center of the tree. The pale outer sapwood doesn’t share it, and the lab advises leaving sapwood out entirely where long life is the goal. It also notes that resistance can vary between trees of the same species. So “cedar” or “cypress” on an invoice isn’t enough. When we price wood siding, we ask the supplier for the grade and how much sapwood the boards carry, because that’s where a long-lasting wall and a short-lived one split apart.

What Is the Cheapest Wood Siding?

By HomeGuide’s numbers, the two cheapest options are:

• Plywood panel siding (T1-11): $0.90 to $2.50 per square foot for material, or $2.50 to $8.00 installed. HomeGuide calls it highly susceptible to water damage and says it must be installed and sealed correctly, then kept up.
• Pine: $1 to $5 per square foot for material. It’s easy to work with but has no natural protection, so treatment and paint carry the whole load.

In Hammond’s climate, the cheapest wood up front is rarely the cheapest over time. Wood siding needs a fresh coat on a regular cycle: HomeGuide says every 3 to 5 years, and a contractor quoted by This Old House says every 7 to 10 years. That paint budget matters more on a low-cost wood, because the coating is doing all the work. Our post on siding vs repainting runs that math over 20 years.

If you like the look of wood but the budget is tight, engineered wood is another option. HomeGuide lists it at $7 to $12 per square foot installed. It isn’t solid lumber, it’s wood strands bound with resins and waxes, so it behaves differently. Our fiber cement vs engineered wood comparison for the Northshore covers how it holds up, and our post on hardboard siding explains how to tell older composite boards from real wood.

Can You Still Buy Wood Siding?

Yes. Solid wood siding is still sold in lap and shingle profiles. Board and batten is available too. Current cost guides price every species listed above. What you may not find is every profile and grade sitting in stock, so specific boards sometimes have to be ordered.

Ask about lead times when you price wood for a Hammond home. HomeGuide notes redwood is easiest to source in the Northwest, so expect it to take longer and cost more to reach Tangipahoa Parish. With cypress, quality varies from board to board, so it’s worth seeing the boards before they go on the wall. Our board and batten siding guide shows one profile that works well in wood.

How Do You Make Wood Siding Last in Hammond?

Whatever species you pick, the details decide how long it lasts. On every wood job we install, we focus on four things:

• Prime all sides and seal cut ends before the boards go up.
• Keep the bottom course well clear of soil and splash.
• Flash every opening and roof line so water sheds outward.
• Plan a repaint and inspection schedule from day one.

Termites are the other local concern. Being inland doesn’t keep them away, and our post on Formosan termites and siding explains what to watch for. Our season-by-season siding checklist keeps upkeep on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does wood siding last?

HomeGuide says 20 to 40 years or more when it’s installed and maintained correctly. Our siding lifespan guide covers what shortens it in South Louisiana.

Is stained or painted wood better here?

Both work. Paint usually gives more protection on a humid wall, while stain shows the grain and is easier to refresh. Either way, mildew control matters. Our mold and mildew guide covers it.

Does Turnkey Siding install wood siding in Hammond?

Yes. See our wood siding page for Hammond for species and profiles.

Pick the Right Wood for Your Hammond Home

We’ll talk through species, grade, and upkeep, then price the options side by side for your house. Turnkey Siding serves homeowners in Hammond and across Tangipahoa Parish. Call 504-882-9704 or request a free estimate online.