Cedar wood siding ok? (how much, washer, color, install)

[carolinadreamin]

How good is cedar wood siding? Not the shake style but clapboard style.

What maintenance does it need? A water seal coating or just paint? How often typically does it need to be resealed and/or painted?

Is it more prone to termites than other kinds of wood?

Thanks!

[JBrown]

My house is 26 yrs old...owned it myself almost 5 years now. Entire outside is western red cedar siding...
It's extemely durable stuff. I pressure washed the whole house this summer and I think it's the first time it was ever done...it gets dirty and dark looking after many years of neglect. Pressure washer brightens it right up. Next is a sealer stain...can spray or brush.....Cabot makes good stuff.

Bugs termites...they don't like it ...it is well known to drive them elsewhere

If constantly exposed to dripping wtaer etc it will rot albeit much slower than other woods. I had a down spout that had been pouring water on a corner trim section for maybe 20 years. Fixed the gutter/down spout and replaced the wood with new....no problem...most good lujmber yards carry stock in what you need to do repairs... yes replaced 100+ sq. ft. of clapboardds too...easy job

It's a great look on the right kinda house and setting....mines a custom ranch/ ski lodge kinda place. set back from the street into the woods.......painting it would ruin the effect

[golfgal]

Cedar is considered the best wood siding around. It holds paint/stain longer then other woods, it doesn't rot and bugs don't like it.

How often it needs to be repainted depends on where you live.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Cedar clapboard siding has pro's and con's just like any other siding material. Beautiful natural color if left natural (sealed- or highlighted with stain), if painted, it gives a smooth finished appearance. But depending on the age of the siding it may have other quirks. Most siding manufactured today is treated with a fire resistant chemical. This chemical leaches out over time and loses it effectiveness. That leaching also effects the adhesion of the paint. In order to maintain the effectiveness of the fire resistance- it must be reapplied ever few years. Doesn't work very well when applying over paint. As far as sealing/staining, how much prep time you put in will determine the rate of re-sealing and the exposure of the house to the sun. I definitely don't recommend using a pressure washer on cedar (it is a softwood), it can be damaged easily. There are products on the market that are designed as a wash for wood. Spray-on with a pump sprayer, and wash off the hose (like those used for wood fences).
Cedar siding is also just as vulnerable to rot as any other wood. If it constantly bombarded with moisture- or moisture finds a way to penetrate painted cedar (which will hold the moisture for an extended period of time) it will rot. The odor of cedar is what makes it naturally resistant to insect infestation. Probably one of the most endearing qualities of cedar siding (at least to the craftmen that install it) is its stability- nice uniform size and straight.
All-in-all, cedar siding has as much, if not a bit more maintenace than any other.