Caring For Cedar Shake Siding

Pro prime gray eastern white cedar shingle siding 25 sq.

Caring for cedar shake siding.

Semi transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection. The cedar shake shingle bureau a nonprofit trade organization warns that an experienced washer should assess a cedar siding job individually since high pressure water jets can damage wood. Cedar shake siding and cedar shingle siding is the look most buyers crave when they consider real wood siding. How doers get more done.

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. Shakes and shingles can be used to cover the entire exterior or be installed in gables and other areas to complement wood or stone siding. Older siding should be cleaned and allowed to dry thoroughly enough that it can absorb sprinkled water. However with semi transparent stains you will need to take care with the application.

But a little maintenance can keep them looking great and extend their life even further. Originally published august 10 2012 at 8 00 pm updated august 13 2012 at 7 22 pm. Learning how to care for cedar shingles whether they are installed as siding or roofing is not particularly difficult. Cedar impressions shake and shingle siding is available in several styles and features the most authentic wood look in the industry truetexture.

The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar s wood grain. This will avoid problems such as mold mildew rot and water damage. This week s topic. How to care for cedar siding.

These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. Plywood siding t1 11 plywood white wood siding shake wood siding eastern cedar lumber 3 8 osb 4x9. Staining cedar with a semi transparent stain. Before you give in and paint your shingles realize that cedar shingles can last decades with virtually no maintenance.

Cedar shingles can also grow moss and algae or develop iron staining which requires periodic cleaning. Many siding pros recommend power washing. Department of agriculture s forest services laboratory recommends cleaning cedar shingles with an oxidizing bleach as opposed to a household bleach to avoid damaging the wood while you can use household bleach to kill mold and algae it tends to make the cedar shingle s surface. 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 siding maintenance must be a regular task so that you can avoid permanent damage to your home s exterior. If caring and cleaning for cedar siding sounds like a drag then take a closer look at vinyl. Dwight barnett answers home improvement questions.