Cedar siding is beloved by many for its durability and ability to insulate. It also has a naturally beautiful appearance, with a unique wood grain in each piece. While its longevity is not in question, some people wonder how to keep their cedar siding looking like new over time.
Stain Soon After Installation
Staining your cedar siding will considerably slow down the siding’s change in appearance. There are a great variety of stain choices available, including transparent, semi-transparent, solid-transparent, and solid wood stains.
Transparent stains will provide the most natural look, showing the natural color and wood grain of the cedar. Semi-transparent and solid-transparent stains allow you to choose a particular color while still showing some of the wood grain on you siding. Solid wood stains, lastly, will not show the siding’s wood grain.
Applying a primer before your stain can act as a further shield against discoloration. According to Real Cedar, Alkyd-oil based primers are the best option to protect your siding.
For more tips on how to apply your stain, check out our post on sealing cedar siding. [Read more…]