Maintaining Cedar Siding

Cedar siding comes in a wide array of styles such as bevel channel tongue groove and board and batten so careful maintenance protects the look and properties.

Maintaining cedar siding.

These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required. The friendly staff at longhouse specialty forest products can assist you in finding the best cedar siding to suit your needs and lifestyle. Cedar shake maintenance cedar has natural antibacterial and anti fungal properties allowing you to leave the wood untreated without worry of excess warping rotting and cracking.

Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. It does weather though changing color throughout time offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers. A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended. The good news about cedar shingle siding is its ability to resist rot and pests better than other woods but as a soft wood it mars easily.

This will avoid problems such as mold mildew rot and water damage. Power wash every two to four years. The surfaces of finished western red cedar decks siding and trim boards exposed outdoors inevitably become dirty and can also be discolored by mildew algae and moss. When left to its own devices cedar weathers well to a silvery gray a common siding material used for beach homes and mountain cabins.

Western red cedar siding is a beautiful affordable and environmentally friendly siding choice. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing. Cedar siding is actually less maintenance than you think and there s many reasons why you should use cedar for your next siding project. To fully understand the best way to stain or treat cedar you first need to understand the nuances of this unique wood s weathering process.

Check periodically for damaged or loose boards. If you d like to avoid repairs that could cost thousands of dollars and you d like to keep your clapboard shingles or board and batten lasting for decades regular upkeep and maintenance is critical. Wash once a year. Cedar siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior.

A garden hose may be sufficient. Be cautious with power washing. Nail down or replace as needed. Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding and one of the most expensive.

Experts suggest the following routine maintenance for cedar siding. High pressure can damage wood.