Caulking Old Cedar Siding

The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked.

Caulking old cedar siding.

It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. Is the old caulking removed before new coats are applied. Caulk comes in two forms. The wood s structural integrity will remain unless the wood is exposed to excessive moisture which can cause curling cracking and wood rot.

Grumpy chicago gutters. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. It needs to move and breathe. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk.

The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Recommendations for caulks are located on page 10. If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril.

Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time. A diyer or a novice painter might attempt to achieve a cleaner look by caulking the siding nails but the nail is guaranteed to push the caulking material out within a few months. But if done incorrectly it can lend a sloppy amateurish look. Think of a wood home as a living thing.

Left unstained cedar s red hue will fade to gray within about a year. Below is a link to their installation guide. If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good. When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it.

The western red cedar lumber association publishes a number of downloadable booklets concerning the design installation and finishing of cedar siding. It seals the spaces thereby protecting your home from invasion by pests and keeping the moisture and cold outside. Caulking windows to give them a finished look inside and out and seal out leaks and drafts is a fairly common diy task. While cedar stands up to the elements fairly well on its own putting a seal or a coat of paint on it can enhance the color and protect the wood from inclement weather.

If your house has siding on the exteriors caulk is a product you might want to install. If you re shopping for the best caulk for cedar siding here is what to look out for.