Cedar siding
is a good option for homeowners who are concerned about the environment, as well as those who love the look of wood. Cedar is a renewable, biodegradable resource, making it earth-friendly; plus, it is durable when well cared for. Cedar siding can be left untreated and allowed to weather and take on a soft gray appearance. Untreated siding, however, will not be as durable as treated wood. The most important way to help your siding last is to keep the water out, whether the siding is painted, stained or treated with a water-repellent coating.
Instructions
General Siding Maintenance
1. Clean surface dirt off when necessary with a mild detergent solution and a garden hose. Do not pressure wash your siding; water could seep between the boards and inside the walls.
2. Inspect your siding a couple of times a year for gaps between boards. Use exterior caulk to fill them.
3. When inspecting, also look for gaps between the siding and trim pieces. Use exterior caulk on the top and sides of trim but leave the bottom open to allow moisture to escape.
Siding With Paint or Opaque Stain
4. Inspect your siding for signs of peeling or blistering paint or stain before the rainy season begins in your area. Touch up any problem spots to keep moisture out.
5. Look for nails that have shifted and hammer them back in. Cover them with paint or stain to seal them.
6. If your rainy season does not coincide with summer, inspect your siding again before the summer sun arrives. Repair as in steps 1 and 2 to protect your siding from harmful ultraviolet rays.
7. Repaint or restain the exterior of your home when the coating begins to show wear. Look for fading, peeling, blistering, chipping and chalking, when the paint or stain begins to break down and develops a powder on its surface.
Natural or Lightly Stained Siding
8. Clean any mildew on your siding as needed with a commercial mildew remover or with an oxygen bleach solution. Scrub the wood lightly, if necessary, and rinse with water.
9. Apply a water-repellent coating to preserve the color and durability of your cedar siding. Water repellents containing synthetic resins are more expensive, but they are not attractive to mildew.
10. Reapply the water repellent every few years, depending on its quality. The best repellents can last as long as seven years before requiring a new coat.
Related posts
Cedar siding has natural chemicals built in that make it resistant to rot and decay. But if you want to prolong your cedar siding's life, then you need to apply a sealer and paint. The secret to k...
Painting cedar lap siding on your house will undoubtedly enhance its appearance even as it protects the siding from natural elements. Although cedar is naturally rot resistant, painting it ostensi...
Cedar siding is beautiful, elegant, and long-lasting---it can last on some houses for over one hundred years. Sealing cedar siding is an excellent way to ensure its longevity. However, improperly...
Prepare to Repaint Cedar SidingYour freshly painted cedar siding looked so good after it was completed; but over time the elements have taken their toll and the finish is starting to look weathere...
Siding requires restaining and regular maintenance.Cedar siding is very durable against the elements but still requires regular maintenance and depending on the climate should be restained every f...
