Cedar Exterior Siding Maintenance

Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage.

Cedar exterior siding maintenance.

Whether they re on your roof or wall your shingles may develop mildew or algae and will most certainly weather to a silver grey appearance after years of exposure. 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. A thorough cleaning once or twice a year will greatly extend the life of cedar. Clapboard siding uses planks of wood installed horizontally with an upper piece that overlaps the lower piece.

Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. Treating cedar with primer and 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. Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required.

Wood siding comes in clapboard also known as lap or bevel siding as well as shakes and shingles. Stained cedar siding requires more maintenance than other woods but also lasts longer. 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. This will avoid problems such as mold mildew rot and water damage.

Depending on maintenance your rich wood siding can last from 10 to sometimes 100 years. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing. It does weather though changing color throughout time offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers. The usefulness of cedar for exterior applications such as siding and fencing is due to its exceptional weather resistance but over time even cedar siding can be damaged from exposure to moisture and ultraviolet uv rays.

Prone to dust and dirt accumulation cedar exterior siding receives a good pressure wash on the lowest setting well. Paint s solids ward off light and light is the main contributor to the deterioration of cedar. Cedar siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior. Untreated cedar siding weathers over time without excessive warping and cracking but still requires care.

But a little maintenance can keep them looking great and extend their life even further. A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended. If it s well maintained cedar siding can last for fifty years or more. Cedar maintenance you don t have to do much to cedar shingle siding if you prefer its weathered gray look other than clean and coat it with a clear water resistant preservative and inspect it for rot and damage periodically.

Step 1 clean shingles. Lighter colors last longer since they reflect light more efficiently than darker colors. These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform.