Does Cedar Siding Need To Be Sealed

The most common reasons for rot that we come across however is the cedar wood siding being installed tight onto horizontal surfaces flashings and roof lines as well as an often overlooked maintenance item namely caulking.

Does cedar siding need to be sealed.

New not weathered western red cedar new cedar siding and trim should be protected from the weather before during and after construction. Sealing for natural weathering. Cedar and wood siding how to reseal your siding few siding materials compare with the rustic beauty of natural wood. Leaving your cedar exposed to the elements for weathering can damage the cedar especially in excessively wet climates.

As much as cedar is a softwood it is highly durable and resists pests and molds. Maybe in detroit but that s not true here. Although we understand the need and convenience of maintenance free options when it comes to siding we simply can t compete with nature. Western red cedar has been our first choice for years due to its durability ascetic appeal and environmental sustainability.

This wood type can resist wearing for a very long time. If you prefer weathered cedar s grey color but want a more uniform color than what comes naturally you can seal the cedar using bleaching oils. The wood cleaner will remove dirt gunk and grime that could be contaminating the surface of the wood. However wood is extremely vulnerable to the elements and must be properly sealed to protect it from mold and rot.

It is seldom necessary to carry out extensive surface preparation providing the wood has not weathered for more than two weeks and is clean and dry. The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain. Staining cedar with a semi transparent stain. However it will likely age faster if left untreated.

Some that are over twenty years old still look nice today because the owners took the time or spent the money on maintenance. Cedar must be regularly stained and sealed at significant expense to protect it from moisture penetration and possible rot mold and warping cedar not properly cared for will become susceptible to insects an issue not found with fiber cement and vinyl woodpeckers occasionally bore into cedar siding. To prepare the surface of rough cut cedar siding wash the siding down with a good wood cleaner and follow that up with an application of wood brightener. Cedar is by far our favourite siding material for countless reasons.

Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection. In this article we will take you through a step by step process of resealing wood siding. I built decks in austin for 32 years most of them were cedar. Cover as much of the wood as you can with sealant using a small brush to get into the spaces between panels if the siding is already installed.