As the prices of building materials continue to soar, many DIYers and contractors are starting to get creative and devise cheaper means to carry out or finish projects.
Using cedar fence boards for siding is one of the many ideas that have sprung up and stuck. Cedar fence boards have proved to be functional and effective alternatives to house siding.
These slats of softwood are versatile, resistant to splitting, last very long, and are considerably cheaper than cedar siding.
It’s best to use cedar fence boards that are treated with wood stain or sealer for siding. This specification of fence boards rots a lot slower and takes a considerable amount of time to grey.
Lumber yards and home depot are the best places to get quality and inexpensive materials for your project. You can even use used cedar fences.
This article is just what you need if you’re looking for an elaborate resource on replacing wooden siding with other related building materials such as cedar fence boards.
Can You Use Wood Planks for Siding?
Wood planks can be used for siding; however, it takes intermediate to expert woodworking skills to cut these planks into functional starter strips and boards that can serve as siding.
The best types of woods for exterior siding are Cedarwood and Pinewood. Cedar wood comes in different types, such as Eastern white cedar, red cedar, and Alaskan yellow cedar.
Spruce and Fir are also good wood types that can be used to side a home or building.
Cedarwood is the best choice of wood for siding, although it’s quite expensive. Its high quality is the major reason why it’s always in demand.
Pine is a way more affordable option than cedar, but it is fairly resistant to decay and pest attacks.
Your environment also determines the type of wood siding that will be best for you.
If you live in a sunny or salty air area and your siding is made of softwood such as cedar or pine, it will require more maintenance.
Hardwood siding boards are best for the area specified above, although they’re costlier. They are highly resistant to harsh weather conditions and are very easy to maintain.
Ensure whatever wood product you decide to use as siding is treated; this would ensure that the installation lasts long and can serve as an effective protective barrier.
Is Cedar Siding Good?
Cedar siding can be pretty expensive and hard to maintain, but it’s one of the best siding options on the market. It’s visually appealing, strong, environmentally friendly, and an efficient insulator.
Cedar siding lasts 20 to 40 years without regular maintenance and 60 – 70 years if you maintain it properly. Whether it was treated or left in its natural state also has a bearing on how long it’d last.
There are several benefits of using a Cedar siding material on the exterior of your house, and they are as follows.
- High Visual Appeal
One of the reasons most people like cedar is because of its natural beauty. It comes in different color shades, which other types of wood mostly don’t have; this is why it’s rarely painted over.
The Western Red Cedar is said to be one of the best types of cedar out there.
You must know that cedar turns grey over time, so its beauty kind of fades. Regular maintenance is pretty much the only way to slow this process, You can’t stop it from changing color.
- Sound Resistant
Cedar is a porous and thick wood; this makes it super efficient at absorbing sounds from outside. This feature makes it a good choice for both interior and exterior use.
- Insect Repellant
The oil present in Cedarwood keeps insects like ants, termites, spiders, and many others away. The natural oil also repels rodents like rats.
Kindly note that cedar repels pests, it is not impervious to pest attacks.
What this means is these boards of wood can still sustain damage from pests or insects, but the chances are not as high as weaker woods.
- Moisture Resistant
One of the most important benefits of Cedar wood is its ability to withstand moisture. It can thereby hinder mold or mildew from growing on its surface.
Cedar wood is remarkably resistant to humidity. It doesn’t swell or shrink when exposed to harsh weather conditions.
- Environmentally Friendly
Natural woods such as cedar are more environmentally friendly than synthetic woods. Cedarwood helps to remove certain atmospheric gasses that affect our living conditions negatively.
It would also interest you to know that cedar wood aids sleep. The essential oil present in it serves as a sedative and helps in treating insomnia.
Why Use Cedar Fence Boards for Siding?
Cedar Fence Boards are great alternatives to cedar siding. They’re inexpensive, visually appealing, and easy to cut. Unlike regular siding, it takes a little longer to install these boards as you’d have to prep the wood.
The presence of tannin oils in the cedar fence boards protects them from decay and splitting. You can leave them out in humid conditions, and there won’t be any shrinkage.
Cedar fence boards are also lightweight which is a huge advantage to builders because you can easily move and install them.
Cedar fence boards also tend to last long; it lasts for a period of 12 years below ground and 15 to 20 years above ground.
Your cedar fence boards should be sealed to preserve their color, beauty, and lifespan. Sealing also helps slow the rate at which the board turns grey.
If you decide to stain your cedar, it is best to use a product that is oil-based because cedar absorbs oil in a way that adds to its beauty.
Semi-transparent stains are also good. They help protect the cedar board from UV rays. Wood stains that can also serve as sealers are the absolute best.
What to Use for Great Cedar Siding?
The two best types of cedar siding are Western Red Cedar and White Cedar. The first is better than the latter because it comes in more styles and lasts considerably longer.
As I mentioned earlier, cedar siding requires high maintenance, so it’s not an ideal siding option if you’re looking for an exterior finish you won’t have to tend to regularly.
Keep the following maintenance tips in mind if you plan on siding your home with cedar.
- Clean house siding every 2- 3 years to keep it in good condition.
- Re-stain the cedar every 3 – 7 years.
- For wood stain application, use an acrylic stain that is oil-based.
- Put sealer all over the surface of your Cedar siding to protect it from weather elements.
- You can also paint your Cedar siding to protect it, but this isn’t really necessary.
- Apply only quality finishes like Linseed oil on your siding
- Check your Cedar siding regularly for cracks or signs of mildew or mold
Final Thoughts
Cedar is one of the best materials for house siding; it comes in different colors, qualities, and prices.
You can use a cedar fence board or wood planks to side a home. It’s a low-cost and efficient alternative to actual wood siding, but keep in mind that it requires a lot more effort to install.
We hope you found the article helpful and wish you the best of luck on siding your home.
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