Siding in Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket is in Eversource electric territory, so homeowners qualify for the full Mass Save program. A re-side exposes the wall cavity — the best chance to add blown-in insulation and air-sealing, which Mass Save typically covers at 75% or more for investor-owned-utility customers after a free Home Energy Assessment.

Given the island's exposure and high energy costs, tightening the wall is especially worthwhile. Book the assessment before the siding crew starts so weatherization goes in while the walls are open — you pay only the discounted share, with the siding as your cost. Eligibility follows the year-round utility account, so for seasonal homes confirm account status. Note that Nantucket's logistics (ferry-shipped materials, limited contractor availability) make coordinating the assessment ahead of the job important.

Nantucket requires a building permit for re-siding, and crucially the Nantucket Historic District Commission (HDC) reviews exterior changes across virtually the whole island — siding material, exposure, and trim typically must conform to the gray-cedar standard. This review is a defining step, not an afterthought. Homes built before 1978, including the many historic-core houses, are presumed to contain lead paint, triggering the federal Lead RRP rule. Coastal and wetland lots may also need Conservation Commission review. Reputable island contractors handle HDC submissions, the building permit, and lead-safe work as a package.

Nantucket siding costs are the highest in Massachusetts by a wide margin — ferry-shipped materials, limited labor, and the near-universal use of cedar shingle all drive premiums. Cedar shingle re-sides commonly run well into the tens of thousands and can exceed $50,000–$80,000+ on larger homes once HDC-compliant detailing, staging, and freight are included. Vinyl and fiber-cement are far less common given HDC expectations. The biggest cost drivers are material freight, cedar grade and coursing, exposure, and the historic-review process.

Nantucket is an island town and county of about 14,000 year-round residents, with roughly 12,300 housing units — far more than the off-season population, reflecting an overwhelmingly seasonal market. The median home age is near 42 years, but the island spans everything from 18th- and 19th-century houses in the historic core to resort-era and recent construction in Madaket, Surfside, and Sconset.

Nantucket is unique for siding. The Nantucket Historic District Commission has jurisdiction over essentially the entire island, and weathered gray cedar shingle is the near-universal expectation. Salt air, fog, and Atlantic wind are punishing, so cedar is chosen for both rules and performance. A re-side is the moment to upgrade water management and insulation behind that signature gray shingle.