Two decisions before anyone gives you a price
Which cedar. Eastern white cedar is what Benny’s Roofing calls the classic Cape and Hamptons shingle. Left alone, it weathers to that even silver-gray. Western red cedar is oil-rich and takes stain evenly, so it is the pick if you want the house to stay a color. SkyLuxe Construction in Southampton favors red cedar for coastal exposure.
Which style.
- Shingles are smoother, laid in crisp courses, and suit Cape Cods and colonials.
- Shakes are thicker and rougher, the textured Hamptons look.
- Clapboard is long horizontal boards and fits most house styles.
Local yards stock all of it. Speonk Lumber, for example, carries red cedar shingles in 18 and 24 inch lengths, Maibec eastern white cedar, and prefinished shingles stained on all sides.
Price per square foot
| Source | Published price |
|---|---|
| Long Island Exterior Co., Apr 2026 | $10 to $18 per sq ft; $20,000 to $38,000 typical |
| Long Island Siding Co., 2026 | Cedar shake $15 to $28 per sq ft; $22,000 to $42,000 for 2,000 sq ft |
That puts cedar above vinyl and in the same range as, or above, James Hardie.
The upkeep is the real cost
Cedar is the only siding on this site that you should budget for every few years. Long Island companies put the restaining cycle between 3 and 7 years. SkyLuxe also suggests a yearly look and a low-pressure wash every 2 to 4 years to get salt and algae off.
Benny’s points out that a semi-transparent stain wears down gracefully instead of peeling, which makes recoating easier. The walls that face south and face the water will need it first.
Skip the maintenance and Long Island Exterior Co. warns of rot on the lower courses and around windows, and says South Shore salt air speeds up wear on the surface of the wood.
Lifespan, with and without care
With upkeep, Long Island Exterior Co. and SkyLuxe both put cedar at 20 to 40 years, and Benny’s says 30 to 40 or more on the coast. Without upkeep, a lot less.
Stainless nails, not galvanized
Insist on stainless steel nails. Benny’s Roofing says galvanized fasteners leave black streaks down cedar in salt air, and once the stain is there it does not wash off.
