How Do You Treat Cedar Siding

If you re applying sealant to siding that is already installed it is essential to throughly clean the wood surface being sealed.

How do you treat cedar siding. The most damaging element to cedar siding is moisture. Any exposed wood is susceptible to the elements that cause mildew swelling splitting and cracking. Before you give in and paint your shingles realize that cedar shingles can last decades with virtually no maintenance. Pressure washing can damage cedar so if possible wash by hand.

If you want to enjoy the aroma of varieties such as western red cedar and incense cedar leave the wood unsealed. Treatments for cedar siding maintenance. How to treat cedar interiors. 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.

Cedar siding is very durable against the elements but still requires regular maintenance and depending on the climate should be restained every few years. Learning how to care for cedar shingles whether they are installed as siding or roofing is not particularly difficult. Some cedar siding shingles are treated with bleaching oil which is a treatment made with linseed oil and bleach crystals. Don t think you can t paint over an active lava flow on the hawaii islands nor can t paint over the reoccurring mud pots in yellowstone national park but you can paint over cedar wood as long as you have a clean dry surface accepting the new paint coating.

Well just for the record there isn t much you can t paint over including cedar wood. Cedar is a versatile wood often used in exterior applications such as decking siding and outdoor furniture. That way you can rest easy knowing your real cedar was treated by pros. Ideally you want to apply a finish to all six sides of your wood before installing them or better yet opt for factory applied finishes.

To avoid this type of damage an option for you is to pick cedar siding shingles that have been factory treated or sealed. Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay so a protective finish is optional. The cedar shake and shingle bureau a nonprofit trade organization warns that an experienced washer should assess a cedar siding job individually since high pressure water jets can damage wood. If you re using cedar for an outdoor project give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.

Maintaining your cedar s color is about choices timing and above all the right type of treatment. But hey if you re an ambitious diy improver who likes to take more of a hands on approach to outdoor projects then more power to.