Exterior Cedar Siding Maintenance

Cedar siding is actually less maintenance than you think and there s many reasons why you should use cedar for your next siding project.

Exterior cedar siding maintenance.

Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding and one of the most expensive. Dusty climates will require more frequent washing. Prone to dust and dirt accumulation cedar exterior siding receives a good pressure wash on the lowest setting well. Stained cedar siding requires more maintenance than other woods but also lasts longer.

Wood siding comes in clapboard also known as lap or bevel siding as well as shakes and shingles. Depending on maintenance your rich wood siding can last from 10 to sometimes 100 years. Cedar siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior. Clapboard siding uses planks of wood installed horizontally with an upper piece that overlaps the lower piece.

Power wash every two to four years. These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. A thorough cleaning once or twice a year will greatly extend the life of cedar. Moreover insects and birds can bore holes and moisture can cause boards to warp and crack.

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. How well you clean and maintain the cedar shingles on the exterior of your home can mean the difference between having to replace the siding in less than 10 years or having a home that continues to look good for 40 to 50 years. 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. Cedar maintenance you don t have to do much to cedar shingle siding if you prefer its weathered gray look.

Used for shingles trim house siding decking fences hot tubs and gates cedar is cheap widely available highly versatile easy to fabricate and best of all it weathers exceptionally well. Red cedar is one of the most popular wood species for exterior use because of its natural rich red color and its natural resistance to decay. Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. Western red cedar siding is a beautiful affordable and environmentally friendly siding choice.

A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended. This will avoid problems such as mold mildew rot and water damage.