Leaving Cedar Siding Untreated

It does weather though changing color throughout time offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers.

Leaving cedar siding untreated.

Stained cedar siding requires more maintenance than other woods but also lasts longer. 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. Cedar has natural antibacterial and anti fungal properties allowing you to leave the wood untreated without worry of excess warping rotting and cracking.

However the natural rich coloring can be preserved with routine power washing and a fresh coat of stain or sealant. Other types of siding can only hope to imitate the timeless beauty of cedar and its rich textures and grain. Leaving cedar untreated and exposed to the elements causes its natural honey color to become weathered and gray. Treatments for cedar siding maintenance.

From a structural standpoint cedar more than holds its own. A thorough cleaning once or twice a year will greatly extend the life of cedar. 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. Although weathering begins immediately with cedar it quickly slows to a crawl.

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. All cedars tend to turn a satin gray with age if left untreated. However it will lose its typically golden brown color. 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. Boards used for clapboard siding have a uniform thickness and they are overlapped to leave no exposed gaps.