Leaving Cedar Siding Untreated

However it will lose its typically golden brown color.

Leaving cedar siding untreated.

Treatments for cedar siding maintenance. As albany fence designs mentions the natural forces of nature such as wind and rain will slowly cause untreated cedar wood structures such as fences and furniture to fade. To avoid this type of damage an option for you is to pick cedar siding shingles that have been factory treated or sealed. Untreated cedar fences can go for many years before they need to be replaced.

If you leave cedar wood untreated it will not succumb to the devastating effects of mold rot and insect damage. Too much direct sun causes the siding to dry out warp and crack. However the natural rich coloring can be preserved with routine power washing and a fresh coat of stain or sealant. Stained cedar siding requires more maintenance than other woods but also lasts longer.

It does weather though changing color throughout time offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers. Untreated cedar siding weathers over time without excessive warping and cracking but still requires care. Cedar wood deteriorates slowly due to its abundance of natural oils. Horizontal installation is most common but clapboard siding can be used vertically too and diagonal installation in gables and other locations produces interesting aesthetics such as a sunburst design.

While untreated cedar siding shingles offer an attractive weathered look they are more prone to damage caused by weather insects and other conditions. From a structural standpoint cedar more than holds its own. Boards used for clapboard siding have a uniform thickness and they are overlapped to leave no exposed gaps. Although weathering begins immediately with cedar it quickly slows to a crawl.

Leaving cedar untreated and exposed to the elements causes its natural honey color to become weathered and gray. Other types of siding can only hope to imitate the timeless beauty of cedar and its rich textures and grain.