Do You Have To Finish Cedar Siding

The sooner you treat your cedar the better.

Do you have to finish cedar siding.

Once you ve decided on your finish it s best to get to work quickly. If you want to enjoy the aroma of varieties such as western red cedar and incense cedar leave the wood unsealed. Restaining your cedar siding involves removing the old protective coating and applying a new layer of wood stain in the color of your choice then applying more protective coating. Wash wait for it to dry.

Ideally you want to apply a finish to all six sides of your wood before installing them or better yet opt for factory applied finishes. But hey if you re an ambitious diy improver who likes to take more of a hands on approach to outdoor projects then more power to. Cedar is a versatile wood often used in exterior applications such as decking siding and outdoor furniture. In other words most field tests that demonstrate the efficacy of painted cedar have been performed only on the two part painting system of primer that is allowed to cure followed by a.

These are all valid considerations and the reality is that western red cedar siding and decking can have a long service life without a finish coating in many environments as long as good design installation and maintenance practices are followed. If you re using cedar for an outdoor project give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight. There are so many different grades and profiles to choose from to suit every style of home. Factory finish warranties provided by primer and paint manufacturers apply to cedar siding that has one coat of primer and one or two top coats of paint.

After installing your exterior cedar you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor. Whether you want to create a warm textured shadowy effect or keep your lines clean and polished there are many western red cedar siding products that can fulfil your desired effect. If you do decide to color your wood there are several options. If you choose to stain cedar rather than paint it there s a few things you should know.

When used indoors cedar is most often used to line closets due to its aromatic and. After that the color will rapidly change from red to gray. Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay so a protective finish is optional. Curb appeal starts with cedar siding.

Choosing the right finish. Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes. That way you can rest easy knowing your real cedar was treated by pros. A concern about the environmental impact of applying a finish on your western red cedar.

The sooner you treat your cedar the better. Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.