How To Treat Cedar Siding
Treating cedar with primer and paint.
How to treat cedar siding. If you want to enjoy the aroma of varieties such as western red cedar and incense cedar leave the wood unsealed. Treatments for cedar siding maintenance. Step 1 clean. Along with protecting your cedar shingles against decay and other coastal contamination this treatment will also give them the weathered silvery gray look that many homeowners prefer.
Cedar siding is very durable against the elements but still requires regular maintenance and depending on the climate should be restained every few years. Before you give in and paint your shingles realize that cedar shingles can last decades with virtually no maintenance. The most damaging element to cedar siding is moisture. Some cedar siding shingles are treated with bleaching oil which is a treatment made with linseed oil and bleach crystals.
Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay so a protective finish is optional. Paint is your best option for treating cedar if your only intent is protection. Learning how to care for cedar shingles whether they are installed as siding or roofing is not particularly difficult. Paint s solids ward off light and light is the main contributor to the deterioration of cedar.
Any exposed wood is susceptible to the elements that cause mildew swelling splitting and cracking.