Cedar Exterior Siding Maintenance

A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended.

Cedar exterior siding maintenance.

If it s well maintained cedar siding can last for fifty years or more. Step 1 clean shingles. Cedar siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior. Treating cedar with primer and paint.

But a little maintenance can keep them looking great and extend their life even further. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing. Paint is your best option for treating cedar if your only intent is protection. Paint s solids ward off light and light is the main contributor to the deterioration 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. 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. 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.

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. A thorough cleaning once or twice a year will greatly extend the life of cedar. 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. 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.

It does weather though changing color throughout time offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers. Lighter colors last longer since they reflect light more efficiently than darker colors. Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage. Depending on maintenance your rich wood siding can last from 10 to sometimes 100 years.

These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required. Untreated cedar siding weathers over time without excessive warping and cracking but still requires care. Prone to dust and dirt accumulation cedar exterior siding receives a good pressure wash on the lowest setting well.

Power wash every two to four years. Stained cedar siding requires more maintenance than other woods but also lasts longer. Cleaning away the age is the first step in caring for cedar shingles.