Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis.
Cedar siding maintenance painting.
Test results from the forest products testing lab run by the usda for the forest service show that after 12 weeks of exposure to sunlight cedar siding has lost half of its ability to hold a film forming coating system like primer and paint.
But over time the elements have taken their toll and the finish is starting to look weathered.
Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding and one of the most expensive.
Solid color stains have solid particles but not nearly as many as paint.
While this material is beautiful long lasting and tough like all other types of wood you must be up to date with the care and cleaning of cedar siding.
This will avoid problems such as mold mildew rot and water damage.
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.
Nail down or replace as needed.
The friendly staff at longhouse specialty forest products can assist you in finding the best cedar siding to suit your needs and lifestyle.
Check periodically for damaged or loose boards.
Cedar siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior.
Allowing fresh siding to weather for as little as two weeks negatively affects coating adhesion.
Dusty climates will require more frequent washing.
A garden hose may be sufficient.
Staining cedar with a solid color stain.
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.
Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required.
Experts suggest the following routine maintenance for cedar siding.
Before applying stain or paint secure loose shakes replace rotten or damaged ones and fill blemishes with putty or caulk.
When left to its own devices cedar weathers well to a silvery gray a common siding material used for beach homes and mountain cabins.
The key to a successful application of paint is surface preparation.
The upside is that solid color stains will block most damaging ultraviolet light.
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.
A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended.
Your freshly painted cedar siding looked so good after it was completed.
Thus solid color stains let some of the cedar s grain show through but none of the color.
Certain areas are peeling and lifting and the color has faded.