Cedar Exterior Siding Maintenance

Western red cedar is naturally resistant to rot decay and insect attacks.

Cedar exterior siding maintenance.

Cedar siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior. Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding and one of the most expensive. These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. Power wash every two to four years.

Basic items required for cleaning cedar siding are. Cedar shake maintenance cedar has natural antibacterial and anti fungal properties allowing you to leave the wood untreated without worry of excess warping rotting and cracking. Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required. Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage.

But a little maintenance can keep them looking great and extend their life even further. As it ages cedar loses some of its natural oils hence the need for upkeep. Cedar siding maintenance genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. Before you give in and paint your shingles realize that cedar shingles can last decades with virtually no maintenance.

The surfaces of finished western red cedar decks siding and trim boards exposed outdoors inevitably become dirty and can also be discolored by mildew algae and moss. Wood siding comes in clapboard also known as lap or bevel siding as well as shakes and shingles. Prone to dust and dirt accumulation cedar exterior siding receives a good pressure wash on the lowest setting well. Bleaching oil clear coat paint detergent and sealer.

Clapboard siding uses planks of wood installed horizontally with an upper piece that overlaps the lower piece. Which makes it incredibly low maintenance whereas the so called low maintenance composite materials require more upkeep because they don t have any natural defenses against things like mildew. Depending on maintenance your rich wood siding can last from 10 to sometimes 100 years. It does weather though changing color throughout time offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers.

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. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing.