Caulking Cedar Siding Knots

Caulk is most often used to seal joints and cracks.

Caulking cedar siding knots.

If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good. Left unstained cedar s red hue will fade to gray within about a year. Grumpy chicago gutters. Whenever possible use the best available materials including pre primed and pre finished if possible clear vertical grain cvg cedar clapboards.

When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it. The wood s structural integrity will remain unless the wood is exposed to excessive moisture which can cause curling cracking and wood rot. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement. How to caulk to fill exterior wood holes.

How to repair cracks in cedar siding with wood filler. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. The corner boards and the ends of the siding are nailed to the corner studs which anchors the wood for a maintenance free joint. Recommendations that are useful in the maintenance of your cedar siding are as follows.

I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. Width is a matter of taste and proper proportion. Corner boards are applied to the sheathing with siding fitting tightly against the narrow edge of the boards allowing for expansion and an adequate caulking bead.

If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. Make sure the siding is installed properly.

While cedar stands up to the elements fairly well on its own putting a seal or a coat of paint on it can enhance the color and protect the wood from inclement weather.