Log siding costs can range from $4 to $30+ per square foot installed, depending on material and installation complexity. On average, most homeowners spend between $8,500 and $31,500 (or more), based on home size and material selection.
To price your project, you’ll likely want to start by choosing one of the four primary materials: wood, vinyl, concrete, or steel. Each comes with different costs, maintenance requirements, and long-term value propositions.
In this guide, we’ll break down log siding costs for materials, installation, and other factors that may increase the project’s pricing so you can compare options with confidence.
Wood Log Siding Cost
Wood is often the default starting point for many buyers because they’re unaware that other options can deliver the same look at different price points, with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Wood log siding is a great choice for the traditional log home look and can be relatively affordable on the lower end of the price scale. However, compared to vinyl, concrete, or steel, that price can dramatically increase based on species, cut, profile, finish, and labor requirements.
Average Wood Log Siding Material Costs
Log siding costs per square foot vary depending on the species and profile you choose. For example, cedar log siding may cost more than basic wood species, and half-log siding will cost more than quarter-log siding because it requires more material. Kiln-dried, pre-finished, and more heavily hewn styles of wood log siding can also drive the price up. Here’s what to expect:
- Quarter log pricing ranges between $2.50 and $7 per square foot
- Shiplap log siding costs between $3.50 and $8.50 per square foot
- Half log siding costs between $3.50 and $12 per square foot
- D-log or full log siding costs between $18 and $35 per square foot
Wood Siding Installation Costs
Installation can quickly raise the total cost of wood log siding. Two-story homes, complex rooflines, or lots of trim and corner details can significantly increase labor costs. Additional structural support for the weight of heavy D-log siding can also inflate your installation costs. Between these factors and regional labor costs, expect to pay at least $2 to $6 per square foot for installation.
Why Wood’s Long-Term Cost Can Be Higher
Wood log siding often makes sense for buyers who care most about authentic natural wood character, but it comes with higher long-term ownership costs compared to other materials. Wood requires frequent upkeep, including sealing, staining, repainting, and addressing issues like mildew, moisture damage, rot, pest damage, or warping.
Wood log cabin siding also often features chinking, which means you’ll need to keep up with chinked seams to make sure they stay sealed and crack-free.
Vinyl Log Siding Cost
Vinyl log siding is something that many homeowners consider to get the log cabin look without the high maintenance requirements and costs of real wood. It’s not always the most realistic option for texture and color, but it appeals to buyers who want to control initial spending and keep the installation portion of the project budget-friendly.
Average Vinyl Log Siding Material Costs
Vinyl log siding prices can vary depending on product thickness, finish quality, and the manufacturer. In general, vinyl is considered one of the more accessible entry points for buyers who want log siding style without the higher upfront cost of premium materials.
On average, vinyl log siding costs between $2 and $5.50 per square foot, with the higher end of the price range indicating thicker, sturdier vinyl.
Vinyl Installation Costs
Installation costs for vinyl siding are relatively affordable compared to wood and concrete. You can usually expect to pay as much as you paid for the materials to have it installed, so between $2 and $5.50 for installation, or a total of $4 to $11 for both materials and installation.
Here again, keep in mind that vinyl siding installation costs will increase with project complexity. Multiple stories, old siding that needs to be removed, damage repairs, or complicated exterior details can all drive up costs.
Vinyl Log Siding Trade-Offs
Vinyl’s biggest strength is its low upfront cost — and that cost comes with a few big tradeoffs. First of all, vinyl has a much shorter lifespan than other log siding alternatives. It’ll last for roughly 20 years before requiring replacement, whereas wood and concrete log siding can last up to 50 years, and steel log siding can last for 70 years or more. That means paying double the installation costs — or more — over the long term.
Unlike wood, vinyl siding requires little maintenance, but it is particularly prone to weather and impact damage, which can manifest as cracks, punctures, or warping. The color also fades quickly under UV exposure, so while replacing damaged sections is relatively easy, you may find it impossible to color-match the replacements. After a hailstorm or high winds, you may find yourself replacing entire walls or even the entirety of the siding just to avoid mismatched panels.
Concrete Log Siding Cost
Concrete log siding sits at the higher end of the market. Homeowners often consider it when they want strong durability and fire resistance, but it comes with a steeper upfront cost compared to wood, vinyl, and steel.
Average Concrete Log Siding Material Costs
At between $8 and $18 per square foot, concrete log siding falls into the premium pricing tier. The higher cost reflects not only the material’s price, but also its performance. Homeowners often pay a premium for concrete log siding because it’s more durable than wood or vinyl, lasts longer than vinyl, and is less expensive to maintain than wood.
Concrete Installation Costs
Installation of concrete log siding can also be quite expensive. Expect to pay between $5 and $12 per square foot or more for contractors to install this type of siding. The higher cost stems from concrete siding being heavier, harder to handle, and more difficult to work with than most other log siding options, making installation labor-intensive. Because concrete log siding is extremely heavy, you may also need to pay for structural modifications to your home so that it can support the extra weight.
Long-Term Cost Considerations
While concrete is one of the most expensive options for the look of real log siding, that cost is offset by its extreme durability against pests and elemental damage. You won’t spend much in the long term on repairs for this type of siding, but keep in mind that it should be resealed every five years or so to maintain the finish and durability of the material.
Steel Log Siding Cost
Steel log siding options like TruLog stand out among all available choices. While steel isn’t always the least expensive material upfront, its ease of installation and long-term cost of ownership make it an extremely attractive option.
Average Steel Log Siding Material Costs
TruLog steel siding price tiers offer a wide range of budget-friendly, aesthetically appealing options:
- Standard TruLog steel log siding, which costs $5.50 per square foot, and is available in a range of beautiful solid colors
- Premium TruLog steel log siding, which costs $6.50 per square foot, and is available in hyper-realistic HD Wood Grain modified polyester finishes
- TruGrain Hickory, which costs $7.50 per square foot and delivers a true-to-life digital wood grain print
Each option features durable 26-gauge steel construction and a 30-year warranty that includes paint protection coverage against peeling, cracking, or fading finishes.
Steel Installation Costs
TruLog steel siding is a lightweight panel that installs easily. While some cutting and fastening is required, it’s not as labor-intensive as installing wood or concrete siding. This keeps the average cost to install steel siding at the lower end of the scale, ranging from $5 to $8 per square foot, depending on the size and complexity of your home, and regional labor rates.
How TruLog Steel Changes the Long-Term Math
Steel siding generally offers the lowest long-term costs compared to wood, vinyl, and concrete. It delivers incredible durability against impact damage, severe weather, and extreme temperatures. It’s also one of the most fire-resistant log siding options, and it’s impervious to moisture and pest damage. With the 30-year paint protection guarantee and a lifespan of more than 70 years, you’ll enjoy a low-maintenance siding product that won’t run up future bills for maintenance, repairs, or repainting.
Log Siding Cost Comparison (By Material)
Both short-term and long-term factors are key to calculating log siding costs. Use the chart below to compare popular options:
| Material | Best For | Material Cost Per Sq. Ft. | Installed Cost Per Sq. Ft. | Notes |
| Wood | Authenticity and real wood-look aging | $2.50 to $12 or more | $4.50 to $18 or more | Expect high future costs for refinishing and damage repairs |
| Vinyl | Lowest upfront material cost | $2 to $5.50 | $4 to $11 | Short lifespan, prone to weather and impact damage |
| Concrete | High durability with moderate maintenance | $8 to $18 | $13 to $30 | Requires regular resealing to maintain long-term durability |
| TruLog Steel | Best durability, lowest maintenance, longest lifespan | $5.50 to $7.50 | $10.50 to $15.50 | Extremely low cost of ownership compared to wood, vinyl, and concrete |
So, in terms of upfront investment, wood and vinyl log siding offer some of the lowest costs — but the trade-off is that both come with much higher long-term costs than other options. Concrete log siding costs much less for maintenance and repair, but you’ll pay a lot more for materials, installation, and replacement.
TruLog steel siding offers an ideal middle ground, with affordable materials and installation costs paired with virtually no ongoing maintenance or repair costs.
Other Factors That Impact Log Siding Cost
Every home siding project is different. Here’s a quick checklist to help you ensure you’ve considered the main things that might impact your overall costs:
- Home size (square footage): Your home’s total square footage is the biggest factor in project pricing. Use it to estimate total material and installation prices.
- Labor rates by region: Average installation prices aren’t accurate for every region — look for local quotes or reports to estimate labor rates for your project. This might increase or lower your projected costs.
- Existing siding removal: If your home needs existing siding removed, this will increase the project cost and timeframe. Include this in the project scope when looking for local quotes.
- Trim, corners, and accessories: Consider how elaborate your project’s accessories will be and explore the pricing of trim, corners, and accessories for your chosen material. Some, like wood, will be much more expensive than others, like steel.
- Insulation or sheathing upgrades: Siding installation is the perfect time to upgrade your home’s insulation and sheathing, both of which can lower your energy bills and improve long-term value.
If you’d rather skip the DIY price estimation, contact a supplier like TruLog or a trusted local contractor for assistance.
Get the Look of Real Logs at an Affordable Price With TruLog
Looking for the best wood-look log siding option for your home’s exterior? TruLog steel siding is a great choice. It’s available at an affordable price point, offers easy installation, and, once installed, you’ll enjoy it for decades while investing very little in maintenance or repair costs.
Want to see how our siding will look on your home? Check out our Visualizer tool to explore siding ideas and find the perfect colors and styles for your home.
