How often should cedar wood be treated?

Unless you particularly want untreated cedar wood, it's best to treat it. Cedar fences should be treated once a year. Cedar's natural oils do protect the wood, but only for a finite period. Eventually, decay will start to set in.

Do you have to stain cedar every year?

As a contractor and decking specialist, I've seen some cedar decking last more than 50 years. But the key to that longevity is maintenance. You need to stain it every one to three years to keep it looking its best.

Can you leave cedar untreated?

Left untreated, cedar shakes — individual planks of one of several varieties of cedar — will discolor and begin to soften, with a possibility of rot after about five years, depending on the climate. There are several options for covering cedar siding, including stain, a clear treatment or paint.

How often do you have to reseal cedar?

You can get twenty-five years before your cedar siding needs refinished. And there is very little to no maintenance if you're going for cedar's weathered, silver-gray patina. You can use a wood sealer to protect against moisture. Some of these sealers could last about ten years.

Does cedar wood need maintenance?

These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result, all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. The degree of maintenance depends on local climatic conditions, the type of finish and end use (deck or siding).

Cedar Posts vs Treated Posts

What is the best treatment for cedar wood?

How long does unstained cedar last?

Cedar is one of the most durable and long-lasting woods, making it much more suitable as a material for fencing. It can last for more than 15 to 30 years and is exceptionally sustainable.

Does cedar need to be stained or sealed?

Rot, premature aging, and warping can occur from the weather and elements when the boards aren't sealed. Finishing off your newly-installed cedar deck with a sealant or wood stain will help to prolong the life, beauty, and appeal of the deck for years to come.

How do you keep cedar looking new?

Transparent stains will provide the most natural look, showing the natural color and wood grain of the cedar. Semi-transparent and solid-transparent stains allow you to choose a particular color while still showing some of the wood grain on you siding. Solid wood stains, lastly, will not show the siding's wood grain.

How long does it take for cedar to turn grey?

You may wonder how long it takes for the sun and water to turn the cedar wood grey. The answer: it takes about two weeks for the wood to change from red to gray. However, many factors can contribute to the length of time for the wood to change colors.

What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?

Cons of Cedar

As a softer wood, cedar decking can be more easily scratched or dented by furniture and pet claws.

What keeps cedar from rotting?

The “phenols” also are responsible for Cedar's natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect infestation. The natural resistance provided by the oils and acids are what make these species more popular in outdoor applications. Properly finished, cedar will last for decades even in harsh environments.

What is the best preservative for cedar?

Why TWP® 200 Is the Best Option for Treating Cedar Roofs. Treating cedar roof shingles is vital for maintaining their natural beauty and strength. Our professionals at Cedar Roof Coatings only use Total Wood Preservative (TWP)® 200 Series to preserve and treat the wooden roofing materials of our clients.

Is it better to oil or stain cedar?

Oil is the way to go when it comes to cedar, no contest. While stain only coats the surface of the wood, oil works in partnership with one of cedar's basic features. You see, cedar is a naturally oil-rich timber itself – it soaks up rejuvenating oil deep into its cells for up to a year after it's applied.

Is it better to stain or paint cedar?

Cedar siding is ideal for staining because the natural fibers of the wood will absorb the stain, making it last much longer than if you were to paint it. Stain penetrates deep into the cedar fibers to waterproof them and protect them from rain, snow and ice. Stains come in semi-transparent or solid-color formulas.

How many coats of stain should you put on cedar?

Two coats of penetrating oil-based stain on textured Western Red Cedar will provide a longer service life than one coat, but only if the wood will accept the second coat. Stir the stain thoroughly during application to prevent settling and color change. Avoid mixing different brands or batches of stain.

What is the best oil for cedar?

When finishing cedar wood, we recommend using linseed oil. This type of oil is the most popular with woodworkers, as well as cedar cladding users and craft enthusiasts. If you would like an oil finish on a piece of mahogany, we recommend using tung oil, linseed oil or teak oil.

How do you protect cedar without changing color?

Used to preserve the Cedar's natural color and appearance, transparent or semi-transparent solvent-borne penetrating stains are recommended. Transparent stains are similar in composition to semi-transparent stains but contain fewer pigments that provide color.

How do you seal raw cedar?

On bare new or restored cedar, apply one coat only of water-repellent preservative (1% or less of wax by volume and content). Allow it to dry for the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. If the wood has been dip treated, a longer drying time may be needed.

Will cedar turn grey if sealed?

If left untreated, over time that red weathers to light gray. To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

Should you power wash cedar before staining?

There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.

Why is my cedar turning grey?

The combination of water and UV exposure causes the cedar to lose it's scent and colour, turning it into a dull grey. The wood rot on the cedar creates an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, which is both unattractive and detrimental.

Can you leave cedar natural?

Of course, it's possible to leave your project without any treatment at all — one of the glories of durable timber species like this. With all its resins, Western Red Cedar is naturally rot resistant and still performs well without a finish.

Can cedar be left outside in winter?

Redwood, cedar and treated pine decking are all able to withstand the great outdoors for years no matter the season.

How often should you oil cedar?

Wood oils should have a “top up” maintenance re-oil within 12 months of the initial application. After that, re-treatments would be between 3-5 years in most cases. Some stains require “re-treatment after every two summers” and it is important to follow through with that after the initial application.