Cedar siding can be a beautiful way to transform the exterior of your home. And over time, your siding will eventually need to be updated with a fresh coat of stain.

In this post from The Construction Group in Minnesota, we’re exploring cedar siding stains to help you choose the right one for your Twin Cities home. To learn more about siding contractor solutions for your home, give us a call today.

Choosing the Right Cedar Stain

Cedar is a beautiful, timeless wood with a diverse range of applications. Cedars are one of many ancient ornamental tree species that can be found around the world from the Mediterranean to western Europe, North America, and even Australia. Naturally repellent to moths and many insects, cedar has been a popular choice for clothing storage since antiquity and was used to build houses and ships. Cedar was even used historically in religious celebrations for its aromatic properties.

Just as there are different types of cedars and different uses, there are many different types of cedar stains depending on the application. Because cedar is a natural insect repellent, it is typically left unsealed when used for indoor applications like blanket storage. However, anytime cedar is used outdoors for siding, decks, fences, or furniture, an exterior-grade sealant is necessary. This helps to protect the wood from UV damage, mold growth, decay, and moisture damage as it becomes exposed to the elements.

There are three main types of cedar staining:

●        Oil-based stain

●        Water-based stain

●        Hybrid stain

Choosing a Stain Color

Choosing the best stain color for your home begins with deciding what level of transparency or opacity you’re looking for. A more transparent stain will allow the natural imperfections and grain details of the wood to shine through.

You can also choose a stain that’s meant merely to protect and strengthen the cedar without altering the natural look of the wood. Generally speaking, you want a more transparent or translucent stain when working with cedar siding as a more opaque stain will camouflage some of the cedar’s natural beauty.

Working With an Existing Stain

If your cedar siding has an existing stain, you’ll need to talk to a contractor about the best options. While it’s perfectly fine to add an additional coat of stain over an existing one, the type of stain will determine which type of coat you need to add. A water-based or oil-based stain can be applied over an existing oil-based stain. However, oil-based products can’t penetrate over water-based stains, so it’s important to use another water-based stain if this is the case.

Connect With a Siding Contractor in Minnesota

To get a free quote on cedar siding contractor services, contact The Construction Group in Woodbury today at 651-731-5857. Or contact us on the web to discuss cedar siding solutions for your home.