How Much Does Shiplap Installation Cost in 2025?
Typical Range:
$500 - $1,500
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Highlights
The typical cost to install shiplap ranges from $500 to $1,500 per room, with an average cost of $1,000.
Shiplap panels feature rabbeting to overlap edges and create seamless joints.
Shiplap installation costs depend on the type of wood, including hardwood, cedar, and pine.
The labor cost to install shiplap per square foot ranges from $2 to $7 for interior spaces.
Average shiplap installation costs hover around $1,000, ranging from $500 to $1,500 per room for most homeowners. The average cost to install shiplap for a home's exterior is around $4,000, with a cost range between $2,800 and $7,500 depending on the project's scope.
Shiplap is a durable form of siding that creates a particular design look. It can be made from old wood or new materials. The main design feature of shiplap is rabbeting, or connectible grooves in the boards that overlap edges and create solid joints between them.
Average Shiplap Installation Cost
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $1,500 | $500 |
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Shiplap Cost Factors
The main factors that influence the cost of your shiplap project include the type of wood, the project’s size, and what contractors in your area charge for labor.
Square Footage of a Room
The cost to install shiplap is between $2 and $7 per square foot. Generally, interior shiplap is less expensive than exterior shiplap, and you may get lower prices for larger projects when buying in bulk. The shiplap installation cost for a 1,000-square-foot home averages between $2,800 and $7,500.
| Room Dimensions (Ft.) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 10x12 | $240–$840 |
| 12x12 | $290–$1,010 |
| 12x18 | $430–$1,510 |
| 16x20 | $640–$2,240 |
| 18x20 | $720–$2,520 |
| 20x20 | $800–$2,800 |
Shiplap Wood Cost per Square Foot
Most shiplap prices range from around $0.80 to $7 per square foot. The price of the boards differs based on the type of wood. Shiplap planks are typically available in redwood, cedar, ipe, fir, hemlock, spruce, poplar, pine, MDF, or fiber cement. Plywood is another option for shiplap. It can be purchased in sheets and cut into several boards. Plywood sheets cost around $30 each.
Consult with interior designers and carpenters in your area for their recommendations.
| Shiplap Type | Cost per Sq. Ft. | Cost of an Entire Exterior |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | $0.80–$4 | $2,500–$3,500 |
| Cedar | $2.50–$7 | $2,500–$7,000 |
| Pine | $2.50–$3.75 | $2,500–$4,000 |
Hardwood
Homeowners can expect to pay between $0.80 and $4 per square foot of hardwood shiplap. Hardwood is the most common type of shiplap and works on a home's interior or exterior. It’s unique because the term “hardwood” refers to any wood taken from broad-leafed trees. The boards can come from several different types of trees at different price points.
Cedar
Cedar shiplap boards range from $2.50 to $7 per square foot. Pricing varies depending on the quality of the cedar. Average cedar boards range from $2.50 to $5 per square foot, while higher quality cedar costs between $4 and $7 per square foot. You can install cedar on either the interior or the exterior of a home.
Pine
Pine is sold in 100-square-foot bundles for $275 to $375 per bundle, or roughly $2.75 to $3.75 per square foot. A standard material for exterior home siding, pine shiplap is a popular choice for homeowners because of its versatility. It comes in a variety of colors and textures and can be easily painted.
Room Type
Shiplap is a versatile material that can be installed in most rooms in a home. The cost to install shiplap in each room can vary based on specific needs, like protection against moisture damage in the bathroom.
Bedroom and Living Room
Shiplap can work well as a statement wall in bedrooms and living rooms. Many different types of shiplap are available in various colors and textures.
Bathroom
Shiplap is a good option for bringing a beachy feel to a bathroom. To protect your walls from moisture damage, choose a waterproof or water-resistant coating—such as polyurethane or Polycrylic—or use a coat of mildew-resistant paint to combat mold growth.
Ceiling
Paneling your ceiling with shiplap can bring elegance and interest to a room. Shiplap has a more textured look than plain drywall. As a bonus, you can use it to cover popcorn ceilings if you’re considering that option.
Kitchen and Pantry
Horizontal shiplap is a common choice for pantry interiors. It can also be a unique choice for kitchen cabinetry or an accent wall. A shiplap backsplash adds texture to the area underneath your cabinets without being too busy or distracting.
Around the Fireplace
Some homeowners install shiplap around their fireplaces as an alternative to brick or stone. Shiplap is perfectly safe for use around fireplaces if you follow fire codes in your area. Tile, marble, brick, steel, and stone are noncombustible materials you can install directly around the fireplace before installing shiplap. Any combustible materials must be at least six inches from the firebox opening.
Exterior Siding
Shiplap is a popular choice for exterior siding as an alternative to aluminum, stucco, or drywall. While exterior shiplap is easy to install and resistant to the elements, it does have drawbacks. Shiplap can be harder to clean because dust collects in the grooves, and the boards can warp or lift if installed improperly.
Labor
The cost to hire a carpenter to install shiplap ranges from $35 to $100 per hour. The labor cost to install shiplap on the exterior of a home is between $1 and $4 per square foot.
Board Size
Shiplap boards range in price from around $9 to $15 per board. The standard widths for shiplap boards are 5-1/4 inches and 7-1/4 inches. However, shiplap boards come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses to suit your individual preferences. Generally, the thicker and longer the board, the more expensive it will be.
Painting or Staining
Unfinished hardwood shiplap is usually the least costly at around $8 per board, while primed and finished pine or cedar shiplap can run upwards of $20 per board. Shiplap pricing depends less on whether the board comes painted or stained and more on the type of board. You may also budget for interior painting costs at the same time to match your aesthetic.
Additional Materials
Part of the cost to install shiplap includes other materials you may need. The cost estimates below are based on a 12-by-14-foot room (168 square feet). Pricing varies depending on how much of the material you need.
| Material | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Underlayment | $75–$90 |
| Nails | $2–$6 |
| Spackle | $10–$20 |
| Primer | $100–$125 |
| Wood filler | $15–$20 |
| Finish | $22–$26 |
| Exterior cladding | $2–$5 per sq. ft. |
Additional Accessories
Any additional accessories you choose to install, such as lighting or molding around the edges, will add additional costs. Baseboard installation costs $6 to $9 per linear foot. Before installing shiplap, you may need to touch up portions of your wall. Wall repair costs as little as $50 to patch a small hole, but it can get more expensive to fix bowing or sagging.
Shiplap vs. Other Wall Costs
Shiplap, drywall, Sheetrock, tongue and groove, molding, and board and batten are all wall materials you can install in your home. Compare the cost to install shiplap in a typical 200-square-foot room with the cost to install these other wall materials.
| Wall Treatment Material | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Shiplap | $1,095–$1,850 |
| Standard painted wall | $200–$400 |
| Drywall | $1,000–$1,200 |
| Sheetrock | $700–$1,200 |
| Board and batten | $1,000–$2,400 |
| Tongue and groove | $500–$600 |
| Molding | $240–$900 |
| Clapboard | $380–$600 |
Shiplap vs. Drywall and Sheetrock
Sheetrock is a form of drywall and is a fairly common alternative to plaster for walls. Drywall costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot, including materials and installation, while the cost to frame and build a wall is $2,000 on average.
While drywall and sheetrock are less costly and easier to paint than shiplap, the intricate wood grain of shiplap adds a layer of visual appeal. In addition, shiplap is more durable than drywall or Sheetrock. It takes a significant amount of force to dent shiplap. Shiplap is also more moisture-resistant than drywall and Sheetrock.
Shiplap vs. Tongue-and-Groove
Tongue-and-groove siding costs between $2.00 and $3.50 per square foot. While shiplap uses rabbeted edges to connect the boards, tongue-and-groove planks interlock at the edges. The interlocking edges keep out the elements better than rabbeted edges.
Shiplap vs. Clapboard
Clapboard generally costs around $1.90 to $3.00 per square foot. Clapboard is less expensive than shiplap and uses thin, overlapping planks to create a textured surface. Both shiplap and clapboard are equally effective at protecting homes from exterior elements like wind and precipitation.
Does Installing Shiplap Walls Increase Home Value?
Installing shiplap can be a strategic home improvement project that adds a desirable aesthetic that may appeal to contemporary homebuyers. The return on the investment (ROI) varies. However, a well-executed shiplap installation can recoup a decent portion of its cost during resale, particularly in regions where the design style is popular.
By choosing neutral colors and applying shiplap in moderation, like as an accent wall, homeowners can introduce a stylish, high-end element that suggests thoughtful interior design and meticulous home maintenance.
Budgeting for Shiplap Installation
With strategic planning and smart choices, you can keep your shiplap installation costs under control and within budget with these tips:
Get at least three professional estimates to ensure competitive pricing and get a grasp on prevailing market rates.
Opt for more affordable wood types that offer a similar aesthetic for a fraction of the price.
Watch for seasonal discounts at home improvement stores to save on material costs.
Install shiplap on accent walls rather than covering entire rooms, saving on material and labor costs while maximizing the visual impact.
Ask contractors about potential bulk discounts if installing shiplap in multiple rooms.
Choose standard board sizes to avoid material waste and extra cutting time, which can add to labor costs.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Still Have Questions About Shiplap Installation?
FAQs
Is shiplap expensive?
Shiplap comes in a variety of price points. The most cost-effective form is plywood, which you can buy in sheets for an average of $30 each. However, shiplap can be a bit more expensive than drywall. If cost is an issue, consider installing shiplap on an accent wall and covering the other three walls with drywall.
Is shiplap installed over drywall?
In many cases, you may be able to install shiplap over drywall. It’s important to prep the wall before installing shiplap. Typically, contractors locate the wall studs and attach the shiplap boards directly to the existing drywall using construction adhesive or finishing nails. However, pros usually recommend removing the existing drywall to expose the studs for the best results. This allows for a more secure and flush installation.
Does horizontal or vertical shiplap look better?
Both horizontal and vertical shiplap can offer stunning visual appeal, but each type creates a different effect. Horizontal shiplap is the classic choice, traditionally helping rooms feel wider and more expansive, such as in living areas and bedrooms. By comparison, vertical shiplap can create an illusion of added height, making ceilings appear taller for a more dramatic touch. The best choice depends on your room’s architecture, design style, and personal preference.
