Caulking Cedar Siding Joints

Should they always be caulked.

Caulking cedar siding joints.

Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. Siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. A lot of moisture from rain snow misdirected sprinklers or exuberant water fights can get in there enough to do some serious and expensive damage.

If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years. Where two pieces of siding meet. Caulking on the exterior siding joints at the corner board if done carefully does not need to be smoothed with a finger.

The hole should be about 3 16 of an inch for most caulking joints. Butt joints but not all butt joints. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril. Think of a wood home as a living thing.

Some of the most commonly caulked areas of siding include both corners and crevices as well as some butt joints and window and door trim boards. If you re in the market for the best exterior caulk for cedar siding you will appreciate what the red devil 077010 has to offer. The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.

Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your finger. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time.