Cedar Siding for East Farmingdale's Split-Levels and Ranches
East Farmingdale sits on the Nassau-Suffolk border — a hamlet in the Town of Babylon along the Route 110 corridor. The housing stock is predominantly 1960s through 1980s split-levels and ranch homes, many of which came with aluminum siding that has now hit its natural end of life, or original wood siding painted over so many times it barely functions.
Cedar siding is a natural fit here. The split-level and raised-ranch profiles in East Farmingdale look different with cedar shake than they do with vinyl — the texture breaks up the horizontal mass of the building in a way that flat vinyl panels don't. And because East Farmingdale sits inland, away from the salt air of South Shore communities, real cedar performs well here with proper maintenance.
For the Amityville-border areas (south side of East Farmingdale) and Route 110 corridor homes, we most often spec Maibec ND-16 engineered cedar shake. It holds stain better than raw cedar and gives you the full cedar aesthetic with 8–12 years between recoating cycles rather than 5–7.
Cedar vs. Vinyl vs. Hardie — What We Recommend in East Farmingdale
Real Western Red Cedar — $14–22/sqft installed — delivers the best curb appeal and is refinishable, but requires re-sealing every 5–7 years. For East Farmingdale homeowners who stay on top of exterior maintenance, this is the premium call.
Engineered cedar (Maibec) — $12–18/sqft installed — gives you the cedar look with less maintenance. Maibec panels are kiln-dried, pre-primed, and hold stain significantly longer. This is what we spec for most East Farmingdale cedar jobs.
Vinyl siding — $4.50–$8.00/sqft installed — is right when budget is the primary driver or when the house faces west and gets heavy afternoon sun (which accelerates cedar checking). CertainTeed Monogram 46 in a cedar-shake profile gives you the texture at a fraction of cedar's cost.
James Hardie fiber cement — $8.00–$14.00/sqft installed — is the best-performing material for durability, fire resistance, and warranty. For East Farmingdale homes where resale value is a factor, Hardie is a strong choice.
For a typical 2,000 sqft East Farmingdale split-level: engineered cedar (Maibec) runs $28,000–$42,000; real cedar $34,000–$52,000; vinyl $14,000–$22,000; Hardie $28,000–$42,000. All prices include tear-off, underlayment, trim, Town of Babylon permit, and inspection.
Town of Babylon Building Department — East Farmingdale Permit Process
East Farmingdale is in the Town of Babylon. Siding permits go through the Babylon Building Department at 200 E Sunrise Hwy, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.
Full residing jobs in the Town of Babylon require a Building Permit application with a plot plan or survey, material spec sheets from the manufacturer, and — for homes with asbestos shingle siding (common on pre-1978 East Farmingdale homes) — a separate abatement notice and licensed contractor paperwork.
We pull the permit for you and handle inspection scheduling. Town of Babylon permit turnaround on siding jobs is typically 3–5 weeks. We've run enough Babylon permits to know what the inspectors need on first submission — missing items on the initial filing is the single biggest cause of delays and we don't miss them.
FAQ
Q1: Does cedar siding work well in East Farmingdale, NY? A1: Yes — East Farmingdale is inland enough that salt air isn't a major accelerant for cedar weathering the way it is in Amityville or Bay Shore. The main factor with cedar here is sun exposure: south and west faces see more UV and need more frequent sealing. We assess orientation at the estimate visit and spec the right cedar product for each face. Most East Farmingdale cedar jobs we complete use engineered cedar (Maibec ND-16) because of its better paint-hold.
Q2: Is a permit required for cedar siding in East Farmingdale? A2: Yes — East Farmingdale is in the Town of Babylon, which requires a Building Permit for full residing jobs. We file the application at the Babylon Building Department (200 E Sunrise Hwy, Lindenhurst), handle all paperwork, and schedule the final inspection. Typical permit turnaround is 3–5 weeks from filing.
Q3: What is the best siding for a 1960s–1980s split-level in East Farmingdale? A3: For split-levels and raised ranches in East Farmingdale, we most often recommend Maibec engineered cedar shake or CertainTeed Monogram 46 insulated vinyl. Maibec gives you the best curb appeal and holds stain well. Insulated vinyl gives you energy savings (R-2.0 to R-5.0 depending on the panel) and very low maintenance. James Hardie is the premium option if you want fiber cement durability with a wood-like profile.
Q4: How much does cedar shake siding cost in East Farmingdale? A4: Cedar shake siding in East Farmingdale runs $14–22/sqft installed for real Western Red Cedar, or $12–18/sqft for Maibec engineered cedar. A 2,000 sqft split-level runs $28,000–$44,000 for Maibec; $34,000–$52,000 for real cedar. Prices include tear-off of existing aluminum or vinyl siding, underlayment, all trim, Town of Babylon building permit, and inspection.
Q5: How long does cedar siding installation take in East Farmingdale? A5: An average 2,000 sqft split-level in East Farmingdale takes 4–6 days for engineered cedar and 6–9 days for real cedar, once the permit clears and materials are delivered. Tear-off of existing siding adds half a day. We provide a firm schedule before the job starts and hit it.