Have you been considering to add siding to your house, but are not sure of which material to go for? If yes, continue reading to make your decision easier…
If you’ve got a house that needs protection from the elements like rain, heat etc. then you’re probably in need of a siding project; unless of course, your house is built of bricks, masonry wall, or stones.
These days there are many artificial siding options available, yet cedar siding continues to be very popular. Cedar siding has been in demand in the housing and construction industry for decades.
It owes its popularity to its many amazing features – its aesthetic beauty, value, durability, versatility and environmental sustainability.
Cedar siding is made with red cedar wood and comes in the form of lap panels, shingles, and shakes. Cedar siding is stained and painted to increase durability, to enhance aesthetic value and to cater to particular tastes.
The choices of color for cedar siding are infinite. Cedarwood siding comes in two textures – rough face and smooth face. Traditionally rough face has been the popular choice. In recent times, however, smooth face siding has been becoming more fashionable.
Pros
- Cedar siding is exquisite and gives your house a very charming look.
- This charm of your cedar sided house does not get outdated; rather it is timeless.
- Cedar siding is extremely durable. Red cedar is resistant to decay, infestations of pests, insects and wood-eating termites. Cedar siding can last up to a century if you stain and maintain it regularly. Artificial siding is more susceptible to fading caused by the sun and seldom stands a chance to be restored. On the other hand, cedar siding doesn’t undergo fading and even if it does, it can be refinished.
- Cedar siding offers excellent insulation of sound and heat.
- Cedarwood is biodegradable and won’t add to a pile in a garbage dump somewhere on planet earth. Thus, it is eco-friendly.
- Unlike certain synthetic siding, producing cedar wood siding does not require a lot of energy. It does not lead to greenhouse gases, air pollution, water pollution or solid waste. It leaves behind the least amount of carbon footprint and therefore cedar siding is environmentally sustainable.
- Cedar siding is versatile; it is most commonly used for typical houses; however, it is compatible with a variety of other structures.
- Cedar siding is easy to install and makes for a superb DIY job.
Cons
- Cedar wood may not be susceptible to insect infestations and rot, but Cedar is vulnerable to woodpeckers. These birds drill holes in wood siding which causes the accumulation of moisture in the wood, decay, and infestations.
- When iron nails are used in the installation of cedar wood siding, the Cedar wood, and the iron chemically react, thus damaging the wood. Therefore, one must ensure that they use alternatives of iron nails during the installation.
- When it comes to fire safety, cedar wood siding may be a risky choice because cedar wood siding is flammable. However, it can be treated to make it fire-resistant.
- Cedar wood siding requires regular maintenance. Old paint needs to be scraped off the wood and new paint needs to be applied regularly. It also requires to be stained frequently. Smooth face siding needs to receive this maintenance every 2-3 years. On the other hand, rough face siding requires to be maintained every 4-7 years.
- Cedarwood siding is not very pricey compared to the synthetic varieties available. But if you are on a tight budget, cedar wood siding may still be expensive. Nevertheless, you do save in the long run, because cedar wood siding acts as a thermal insulator, thus saving you those high energy bills caused by heating or air conditioning systems.
So, what type of siding should you choose?
Truth be told, the answer to this question varies according to individual needs and wants.
Having read the general info on siding and now being aware of the pros and cons of cedar wood siding you are in a position to make the most feasible decision for yourself.
If you would still like a recommendation, then that would be cedar wood siding. If you are undecided, go for cedar wood siding. It has proven to work and last in almost all situations.
And when you weigh-in all the options – financially, it is worth an investment; aesthetically, it has got long-lasting beauty and charm; and environmentally it is very much sustainable—cedar wood siding is one of the top quality options, if not the ultimate best.
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