If you re applying sealant to siding that is already installed it is essential to throughly clean the wood surface being sealed.
Caulking prior to staining cedar siding.
Staining cedar with a solid color stain.
The layering of siding panels acts as a natural waterproofing that will allow precipitation to fall off naturally so caulking would stop the normal movement and function of your panels.
While paint does tend to somewhat glue these pieces together caulking them is never advised and can cause permanent damage.
It needs to move and breathe.
Pressure washing can damage cedar so if possible wash by hand.
The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.
Because it tends not to be as absorbent as a more traditional milled siding stains can have trouble penetrating.
Bottom of siding boards should not be caulked water is meant to exit through the bottom of each board.
The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
Prepare your cedar siding by washing it with soapy water to remove any dirt or dust if any has accumulated.
What you get is a very uniform opaque color.
Solid color stains have solid particles but not nearly as many as paint.
Rough cut cedar siding is a durable building material.
Think of a wood home as a living thing.
One of the most thorough methods when staining is to use a thick natural bristle brush.
How to seal cedar siding.
After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to the cedar.
Caulking them is a mistake and the caulking is likely to fail prematurely.
Thus solid color stains let some of the cedar s grain show through but none of the color.
The upside is that solid color stains will block most damaging ultraviolet light.
7 tips painting or staining cedar wood siding walking into a paint store can be overwhelming trying to decide which paint or stain coating you wish to provide your exterior cedar wood and siding as there are many varieties.
Find siding contractors near you.
In my opinion caulking between the seams in any lapped siding either horizontal or vertical is not good practice but not just because of any potential vapor barrier effect.
Use a thick brush when staining.
Wash part of a wall and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying the sealant.
