This makes no sense you already have cedar shingles almost everyhwere so what is the issue about woodpeckers at this stage. There are some deterrents you can get that are mildly effective but to be honest replacing all the cedar is the only way to really deter the woodpeckers

Thank you for the reply. So a contractor I am planning to work with says the cost is the same as Hardie, and it’s difficult to put up, just sounds like he is not an expert and trying to get me to vinyl. Anyone heard of Racelite?

I would not mix vinyl and cedar shakes but then I would not have cedar shakes as siding on my house they rquire way too much upkeep for me.

I bought the house with the cedar, so they have been on over 30 years, still look great except only 2 areas where the woodpeckers attack. Only 2, so did not want to possible give them another area that might seem attractive. I don’t mind the upkeep. But just want to find something that is paintable and more reasonable than Hardie.

LP Smart Siding

Call the exterminator to find the insect nest or bee nest or the pecker nest. They are in your words.....mostly in one or two areas

Use the cedar - I would never want to put up vinyl if I had the choice of a REAL product. There are ways to deter the woodpeckers, and I would look into that and replace the cedar shakes. They aren't difficult to install at all - I could do it myself. It just takes a bit more time than slapping up long lengths of ugly vinyl.

I like the idea of cedar, just having a hard time finding someone who does not try to talk me down....so expensive, more than Hardie, or its not easy to install. Confused its real wood what is the problem. Will continue to search for someone.