Wood Siding and Cedar Siding

So you are thinking about changing the siding on the exterior of your home. You want to increase the curb appeal and upgrade the overall appearance. In addition, it would be beneficial if the ultimate choice was “green” or ecologically responsible.

If you have looked at all. You probably have heard the phrase “just like wood”. It looks like wood. It seems like wood. It is simple. Wood is timeless and classic. It makes us feel grounded and comfortable. Then why not skip the imitations and just choose real wood for your home’s exterior?

Eco Friendly

Wood never needs to be tossed into a landfill. It can always be reused and recycled. If it does end up in a trash heap in some manner, it is biodegradable. Every part of a piece of wood is usable. When it becomes too small, it can become mulch for your garden, adding nutrients as it naturally decomposes. Wood does not emit pollutants during the manufacturing process, like synthetics do. It is considered a renewable resource, although not as readily as some other elements.

Wood comes in many different types and styles. Cedar and redwood are commonly chosen for wood siding because they are decay resistant as well as insect resistant. Some styles include hand-cut shakes, machine-cut, clapboard, tongue and groove, board and batten, bevel, and lap.

It is easy to paint and will take almost any color. In fact, as fashion colors change, you can easily change the exterior so that you are always on the cutting edge of popular shades. That is something that you cannot do with vinyl siding.

Wood is readily available and can be installed easily. Most any siding installer has a crew that can easily cover your home with wood siding. Some homeowners actually do it themselves. If there is some damage over time, it is easily replaced. Many sidings are designed so that a small replacement is impossible. Most homeowners do their own wood shingle replacements with no problem at all.

When it comes time to put your house on the market, you will be glad to know that wood siding is considered high end. That means there should be an uptick in the amount you can ask at the time of sale.

Siding Maintenance

The drawback is that wood takes some maintenance. To protect it from rain and snow, it must be painted, stained or varnished. However, with regular maintenance every few years, this will prevent any cracking, warping and rotting. This treatment also helps protect it from insect damage. However, if well maintained, it will last for decades.

Both redwood and cedar offer a natural protection from both weather and insect infestation. They resist water better than most other woods. Both of these varieties produce chemicals within their cellulose. Insects do not like these chemicals at all and will veer toward other woods before attacking cedar or redwood. Both of these woods are well within most budgets, making it very attractive to the budget conscious.