Caulking Cedar Siding Joints

It needs to move and breathe.

Caulking cedar siding joints.

The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. I m about to put up siding on a building enclosure that includes a wrb taped xps and furring strips. Siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. The siding will be a combination of lap wood siding front and colorplus hardie plank the rest.

Think of a wood home as a living thing. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time. All butt joints will be flashed. Where two pieces of siding meet.

Caulking on the exterior siding joints at the corner board if done carefully does not need to be smoothed with a finger. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement.

This is a high performance formula that comes in a 10 1 oz bottle. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. A lot of moisture from rain snow misdirected sprinklers or exuberant water fights can get in there enough to do some serious and expensive damage. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.

Butt joints but not all butt joints. Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your finger. Should they always be caulked. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril.

If you re in the market for the best exterior caulk for cedar siding you will appreciate what the red devil 077010 has to offer. I am in agreement with martin not to use caulking as it seems to cause more. Some of the most commonly caulked areas of siding include both corners and crevices as well as some butt joints and window and door trim boards. My question is limited to the seams in which the siding contacts vertical trim.

The hole should be about 3 16 of an inch for most caulking joints.