Traditional clapboard is made of wood but today we have vinyl clapboard that mimics the wood siding both in shape and woodgrain but is easy to care for.
Clapboard siding maintenance.
Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding and one of the most expensive.
We used cedar siding to replace the rotted clapboards.
If you d like to avoid repairs that could cost thousands of dollars and you d like to keep your clapboard shingles or board and batten lasting for decades regular upkeep and maintenance is critical.
First to help avoid any future insect damage back prime the cedar with oil based primer image 1.
If at any time.
Before the siding can go up 1x4 starter strips of treated lumber should be nailed to the sill where the lower most course of siding will go up image 2.
Tannin a resin found in cedar is a natural insect repellent.
With proper care the siding can last the lifetime of the home.
Clapboard siding is a traditional wood siding used in homes for many generations.
How to maintain wooden clapboard siding.
Leaving clapboard unfinished is still an option however since proper air circulation and semi hardwoods will help to keep the board from rotting or decaying.
If you have an older historic home the original exterior finish is usually clapboard siding wooden shakes bricks or stucco.
Many modern homeowners who are used to low maintenance siding options like vinyl and aluminum may not know how to care for old wood siding.