Do You Have To Finish Cedar Siding

First remove any mill glaze a hard shiny surface on one side of the siding by sanding.

Do you have to finish cedar siding.

If you re using cedar for an outdoor project give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight. Cedar is a versatile wood often used in exterior applications such as decking siding and outdoor furniture. After installing your exterior cedar you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor. 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. 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. 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. When used indoors cedar is most often used to line closets due to its aromatic and.

If you choose to stain cedar rather than paint it there s a few things you should know. 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. The sooner you treat your cedar the better. After that the color will rapidly change from red to gray.

Curb appeal starts with cedar siding. That way you can rest easy knowing your real cedar was treated by pros. Staining cedar siding differs from application of paint and other finishes. Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.

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. The sooner you treat your cedar the better. Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay so a protective finish is optional. Stains dry rapidly and fresh stain applied over dried stain will show lap marks.

There are so many different grades and profiles to choose from to suit every style of home. There is one thing you must do however to hold onto that warm wood glow and that s restaining when your siding starts to look dull. If you want to enjoy the aroma of varieties such as western red cedar and incense cedar leave the wood unsealed. Choosing the right finish.

A concern about the environmental impact of applying a finish on your western red cedar. Once you ve decided on your finish it s best to get to work quickly.