Want your wooden siding to last you a long time? With these cedar siding maintenance tips, you can be sure that you’ll count on durable cladding for your home.
What’s the Life Expectancy of Cedar Siding?
Being a low-density softwood, cedar siding is the ideal option if you’re looking for a lightweight and environmentally friendly alternative for your home’s exterior. Not only that, but this siding material also brings fantastic insulation.
When it comes to its life expectancy, cedar siding generally lasts between 20 and 40 years. However, cedar shingles can last you up to 60 or 70 years if you take good care of them! Be sure to see if the cedar is in its natural state or stained, as this factor affects its longevity as well.
Nevertheless, the best thing this type of wood siding brings to homeowners is its aesthetic appeal. Choosing cedar siding often means that you’ll count on a wide variety of styles, such as board and batten, bevel, or channel. This material’s beauty is no match for other alternatives, such as vinyl and fiber cement siding.
Follow These Cedar Siding Maintenance Tips for Lasting Results
Everybody wants their siding to last them a long time, and cedar is no exception. That’s why we’ll show you the main things you should do to take care of it.
Follow these tips for your cedar siding maintenance:
Avoid Moisture from Getting to the Cedar Shakes
Moisture is a wooden siding’s worst enemy. That’s why you should always try to avoid it from getting into your cedar shingles.
To prevent issues such as mildew problems, you should keep your siding off the ground. Moreover, ensure that your gutters run smoothly by regularly cleaning them. By doing so, you’ll avoid water from stagnating on them.
Lastly, be sure to fill in any cracks with sealant or paint whenever you notice them.
Pressure Wash and Scrub the Siding with a Soap and Water Solution
Cleaning your siding is an essential step for its maintenance. Fortunately, it isn’t expensive. You can even do it yourself!
Start by scrubbing your siding with a soft brush using a water and soap solution. You can even add a bit of bleach if you wish to remove any mold, just be careful not to use too much.
After giving your siding a good scrub, use a pressure washer at the lowest setting to rinse out the soap.
Consider a New Coat of Stain or Paint Twice a Year
You should consider repainting or restaining your cedar shakes at least twice a year. This process will help provide them with the protective coating they need to avoid any discoloration or deterioration.
Get Your Cedar Siding Regularly Inspected
Finally, you should get a professional contractor to check out your siding. That way, you can be sure that your siding will stay in top shape for the years to come.
You can count on American Team Construction for your siding repairs and replacement. Call us today to get the best services in all of Massachusetts! By keeping these cedar siding maintenance tips in mind, your home will have an exterior that’ll last decades.
