What wood species do you install in Louisiana?

We primarily install western red cedar and southern yellow pine for exterior siding. Cedar is the preferred choice for south Louisiana because its natural oils resist moisture and insects without heavy chemical treatment. Pine is a more economical option but requires full paint or sealer coverage and more frequent maintenance. We source kiln-dried material and apply a primer coat before installation to seal all six sides of each board, which is the single most important step for wood longevity in this climate.

How often does wood siding need painting or sealing in Louisiana?

Painted wood siding in south Louisiana typically needs repainting every 5 to 7 years. Stained and sealed cedar can go 7 to 10 years between full treatments if properly prepped initially. Sun-facing exposures degrade faster than shaded sides. We can give you a more specific timeline after assessing your home's orientation and existing condition. The critical rule: never let the existing finish fully fail before recoating — once bare wood is exposed to south Louisiana humidity, deterioration accelerates rapidly.

Is wood siding a practical choice for Gulf Coast homes?

Wood is a viable choice for homeowners who are committed to the maintenance it requires and want an aesthetic that no synthetic product fully replicates. It is particularly appropriate for historic New Orleans and craftsman homes where authentic material matters for character or neighborhood guidelines. For homeowners who want low maintenance, fiber cement delivers a similar wood-grain aesthetic with a fraction of the upkeep. We present both options on every wood siding inquiry so you can make an informed choice.

How do you protect wood siding from Louisiana moisture and insects?

We start with properly dried material and seal all six sides of each board before installation. This is non-negotiable — unsealed end grain is the primary entry point for moisture and insects. We install a continuous moisture barrier behind the siding, leave proper ventilation gaps at the bottom course, and flash all horizontal surfaces where water can pond. For pest resistance, treated pine or naturally rot-resistant cedar are specified. We do not install untreated wood in direct contact with any masonry or concrete surface.

Wood Siding Installation in New Orleans, LA

No other siding material looks like wood. Not vinyl with a woodgrain emboss, not fiber cement with a lap profile. Wood has depth, variation, and warmth that manufactured products can approximate but never quite match. In a city where historic character matters and architecture is taken seriously, that difference is worth something real.

Turnkey Siding installs wood siding throughout the New Orleans metro for homeowners who want the best-looking exterior on the block and are willing to maintain it. Our licensed crew, residential license #890459 and commercial license #3667, handles every phase of the job in-house. No subcontractors. The same team that assesses your home’s substrate and reviews your species options installs the material, finishes the trim, and cleans up the job site.

We will be direct with you: wood siding in Louisiana is a commitment. The Gulf Coast climate, high humidity, intense UV exposure, and termite pressure are real factors. Cedar and redwood handle them better than most species. Proper installation, pre-treatment, and a consistent maintenance schedule close most of the remaining gap. If you are not prepared to repaint or refinish every 5 to 7 years, there are better choices for your situation, and we will tell you so.

But if you want an exterior that turns heads, maintains historic authenticity, or gives a custom build the character it deserves, wood done right is worth every bit of what it costs.

Species. Cedar and redwood cost more than pine. The premium is worth it in Louisiana’s climate for most homeowners, but the math changes on larger projects where budget is a constraint.
Profile. Shingles and shakes take significantly more labor per square foot than horizontal lap. Board-and-batten is straightforward. Shiplap falls in the middle.
Substrate condition. Rot or damaged sheathing adds time and material cost to prep.
Story count. Multi-story installations require additional scaffolding and labor time.
Finish work. The more detailed the trim, window surrounds, and corner work, the more it costs. Detail work on older or ornate homes takes real time.
Existing siding removal. Demo and disposal is an additional line item.

We give you an itemized written estimate at the site visit. No vague ballparks. No surprises.