Finally you should refrain from caulking the bottoms of horizontal siding sheets or the edges of the tongue and groove panels.
Caulking prior to staining cedar siding.
Staining cedar with a solid color stain.
Because it tends not to be as absorbent as a more traditional milled siding stains can have trouble penetrating.
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.
After you have washed it wait for it to dry before applying any stain to the cedar.
Pressure washing can damage cedar so if possible wash by hand.
The non milled wood surface creates a rustic appearance but it can present some challenges when it comes to finishing.
Think of a wood home as a living thing.
Use a thick brush when staining.
Caulking them is a mistake and the caulking is likely to fail prematurely.
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.
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.
How to seal cedar siding.
Solid color stains have solid particles but not nearly as many as paint.
Find siding contractors near you.
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.
Bottom of siding boards should not be caulked water is meant to exit through the bottom of each board.
If you re applying sealant to siding that is already installed it is essential to throughly clean the wood surface being sealed.
It needs to move and breathe.
Thus solid color stains let some of the cedar s grain show through but none of the color.
You have two choices go to sherwin williams or your local paint store and buy cedar colored caulk go for it or stain let dry a couple of days caulk with a clear caulking not silicone your.
Rough cut cedar siding is a durable building material.
The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.
The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.
Wash part of a wall and allow it to dry thoroughly before applying the sealant.
