Caulking Cedar Siding Seams

It needs to move and breathe.

Caulking cedar siding seams.

Use around sinks tubs and showers. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. When caulking seams between windows and masonry siding including basement windows and windows on stucco or brick homes you ll need an exterior caulk that s compatible with.

The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Paintable silicone caulk can be used around the outside of window units to properly seal the window and the siding edge or around the entire door unit. Because the staing will tint the caulk slightly. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints.

Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. Think of a wood home as a living thing. In my opinion caulking between the seams in any lapped siding either horizontal or vertical is not good practice but not just because of any potential vapor barrier effect.

Me i would powerwash the house let dry overnight caulk the seams and around the edges with cedar colored caulk then stain. If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement. If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good.

When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product. When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it. Use when installing bath fixtures to seal gaps between shower tiles between sinks and counters and around the base of the toilet.