Basic Facts About Staining Your Cedar Siding

Cedar siding needs to be stained to protect and preserve the wood and enhance its natural beauty. Stains for cedar siding range from deep stains that protect the material from harmful UV rays, to clear coats that showcase its natural color. Here are some details you need to know if you're having your cedar siding stained.

Additional protection

Staining helps the wood become more resistant to weather, insects, and other conditions. Keeping moisture to a minimum is the key to preserving wood products, and stains do a great job in this regard. Many cedar siding brands come pre-primed when you buy them, which makes the cedar staining process a whole lot easier.

The resulting color

The final color of your siding will depend on how the natural color of the wood blends with your chosen stain. Stain on red cedar will have a darker hue than stain used on white cedar. If you plan to apply the stain yourself, make sure that the stain is compatible with the primer. Ask your local retailer about primer and stain compatibilities.

Cost

It's important to decide first if you'll be staining the sidings yourself or calling in the pros. On average, you'll have to pay $300 to $400 for professional staining work. You can save on labor by tackling the project yourself, just be sure you know what you're doing before you begin.