Lately, we’ve been taking time to answer some of the most popular questions on the internet regarding our products.  Cedar siding and cedar shakes are premium siding products and offer a natural beauty that is not easily imitated or replicated.  But how long does it last?

The short answer is the cedar lasts anywhere from 20 to 40 years with some well-maintained cedar lasting as long as 70 years. While cedar offers many benefits to durability and insulation compared to something like vinyl siding, it also brings with it a bit more maintenance and up-front cost. Generally speaking, cedar outlasts stucco.  It is comparable to log siding, but with less maintenance.  It doesn’t last as long as natural stone or fiberglass, but it is more affordable.  It is also worth noting that cedar, aside from looking great, is eco-friendly and naturally insect-resistant.

One challenge that you’ll have to weigh when choosing siding is whether you want to buy something cheaper that won’t require maintenance or last as long or whether you’re ready to invest in your home’s cosmetic, insulation and weather-proofing, and long-lasting natural beauty.  If the latter sounds like you and you’re prepared to handle a moderate amount of maintenance then cedar is a great choice for your home or even just add some accent work to other siding.

If you’re interested in long-lasting cedar siding then contact EMA Construction today for a free quote on your home.  We can handle the design, installation, ongoing maintenance, and repair for all of your cedar shakes and siding needs.

Cedar siding is more of a premium product than some of its competitors like vinyl siding.  As such, it is a bit more expensive upfront, but it also has some hidden perks. Some popular questions across the internet have to do with finding the right time to replace cedar siding.  In this article, we’ll provide five signs that indicate it is time to get new siding. Before getting into that, it is important to note that cedar shakes and siding can be repaired and even replaced without needing to redo your entire home.  A professional siding contractor can remove rotten or warped pieces and replace cedar elements much easier than say vinyl siding.  So, the good news is that just because a few pieces may go bad does not mean you have to commit to residing your entire house.

Without any further ado, here are five signs that it is time to replace your cedar siding:

1. Warping – One advantage of cedar is that it has a strong resistance to warping. If you notice that your siding has changed its shape or shows signs of moisture damage then it is likely time to replace some or all of your cedar.
2. Mold and Mildew – Mold and mildew growth on the home is a key indication that siding requires replacement. Mold grows where water damage occurs. Eventually, the wood will rot which aside from not looking good, can even cause health problems for those living in the home. Any situation with mold should be handled by a professional as it is unsafe. For amateurs, it is easy to treat the symptom while leaving the root cause unaddressed which means you’ll have recurring mold issues.
3. Dry Rot – Unlike some of these other symptoms, this can be simply diagnosed. If you carefully insert a screwdriver beneath boards and joints along gutters and chimneys then you can detect if an area is particularly soft. Such softness would likely mean irreparable rotting damage. Additionally, dry rot is noticeable if the siding crumbles when tapped.  Simple to diagnose, but sometimes difficult to notice as the top layer is frequently the last to be affected by dry rot.
4. Loose or Missing Shingles – Severe weather or perhaps some home accident can destroy or damage particular shingles.  This is definitely a case when it is time to replace those shingles.  If done professionally the cost can be relatively minimal since cedar can be strategically replaced as needed rather than committing to a whole new siding job.
5. Holes and Cracks – Whether they are caused by swarms of insects, birds, or a backyard game of baseball, holes, and cracks should be dealt with swiftly.

While those five are the most definitive, there are other things worth noting.  Have you recently seen a significant rise in heating or cooling expenses?  It could be that your house’s insulation is compromised because of damaged siding. Interior peeling paint or wallpaper can also sometimes indicate that siding is worn out.  If you notice any of these symptoms it is best to consult with a siding expert.

If you’re in the Greater Cincinnati or Dayton area, contact EMA Construction today to get a free consultation on cedar siding and shakes repair or replacement.

Not all of our work with cedar is on brand new builds or a complete home makeover, some of it is updating and repairs.  Below you’ll find a selection of some of our recent projects with a short description of each job.  For more information about cedar siding, cedar shakes, or cedar repair visit our cedar siding page and get a free estimate for your work!

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Here is a sign from City Gate Church in Lebanon, Ohio.  As you can see, the wood on the old sign had aged poorly and looked dirty, and could even be perceived as uninviting. In the following two pictures, you can see the new cedar that brings the sign to life.  It has a natural, warm, and inviting look that is uniquely cedar.  If you’ve worked with cedar before, then you know that this will weather and age in a way that enhances the natural beauty.

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In this next job, you can see that many of the cedar shakes on this house have started to lift, warp, and rot. This homeowner hired EMA Construction to replace the damaged shakes and the homeowner will re-paint to match the rest of the home this spring. If you need similar work, then be sure to read our 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Cedar.  You may also want to read, Cedar Siding: Paint, Stain, or Leave it Alone?

Cedar, unlike vinyl, is easy to replace portions and segments without needing to redo the entire home.  It is a bit more of an investment upfront, but it looks better and can be partially replaced much more easily than vinyl or other alternatives.  For a more detailed comparison of cedar vs vinyl siding then read our article about the pros and cons of Cedar vs Vinyl.

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EMA Construction is happy to do new installation, staining/painting, and repair of cedar siding or shakes.  In addition to the natural beauty, you may also consider cedar siding for its sustainability. Here are some tips on How to Keep Your Cedar Looking Like New.

If you’re considering cedar for your next home improvement or building project then start with our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us today for a free estimate!

Cedar siding is one of the most beautiful treatments available for the exterior of your home, which is why it is important to avoid common mistakes that could ruin your investment and your home’s appearance. EMA does not recommend painting cedar siding under normal conditions, but if you choose to paint it here are five mistakes to avoid:

1. Don’t Wait Too Long

The ideal time to paint your cedar siding is within two weeks of installation.  Waiting more than 12 weeks could create problems with adhesion.  Research has shown that after just 12 weeks of exposure to sunlight, cedar siding loses as much as half of its ability to hold a coating of primer or paint.^[1]

2. Don’t Try to Do it with One Coat

Painting in two distinct phases (prime then paint) is the only proven way to get a lasting quality paint job.  Most testing on the effectiveness of painting cedar has been conducted on the two-stage painting process and has shown it to be the best method. 

[Read more…]

Whether you’re installing new cedar siding or buying a house with existing cedar siding, you may be asking yourself, “should I paint or stain my cedar siding?”  EMA does not recommend painting cedar siding in most circumstances. To help you understand why, we’ll explore each option.

 

Painting Cedar Siding

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your home.  You can drastically change the appearance of your house with a few layers of paint, which can bring your house back to life or  get it ready to sell.  Many people choose to paint cedar siding when they inherit siding that has already been painted, because it is difficult to restore a non-painted look.  If you decide to paint or repaint your cedar siding, we recommend that it be handled by professionals to ensure that best practices are followed. [Read more…]

Cedar siding is beloved by many for its durability and ability to insulate. It also has a naturally beautiful appearance, with a unique wood grain in each piece. While its longevity is not in question, some people wonder how to keep their cedar siding looking like new over time.

Stain Soon After Installation

Staining your cedar siding will considerably slow down the siding’s change in appearance. There are a great variety of stain choices available, including transparent, semi-transparent, solid-transparent, and solid wood stains.

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.

Applying a primer before your stain can act as a further shield against discoloration. According to Real Cedar, Alkyd-oil based primers are the best option to protect your siding.

For more tips on how to apply your stain, check out our post on sealing cedar siding. [Read more…]

Whether your home’s siding has been damaged by weather, has worn or discolored over the years, or it’s simply time for a facelift to increase your home’s value, EMA Construction is the leader in Cincinnati siding repair and replacement.  

Signs Your Siding Needs Repair

Siding repair is a more popular option because it is often faster and less expensive.  You may be interested in siding repair if:

• If you see small cracks or chips in the siding material, specifically only on a single siding panel it can easily be repaired at a low-cost.
• If mold presents itself on the siding and you catch and remove it fairly quickly a repair is efficient. But you need to be cautious with mold and make sure you know what caused the mold and that you 100% removed all of it.
• If you weren’t successful with removing all of it, it could progress to rot. Dents on siding typically result in replacement of the panel siding, similar to cracks or chips.
• If panels of your siding appear loose it is easily fixable by an experienced siding installer, like EMA Construction.

[Read more…]

Cedar siding naturally has a longevity, but if you are looking for ways to extend that longevity and the investment of your home consider sealant.

How to sealing cedar siding properly?

Improperly sealing cedar siding can possibly result in an unattractive “bleeding” result.  “Bleeding” can occur when chemicals from the seal run down the siding creating dark streaks on the cedar.

To prevent any bleeding, fading, or chipping over time choose a high quality stain.  Lower quality sealing products almost always result in a bleed and not protect the cedar from natural elements as well overtime.  

How to clean cleaning cedar siding?

To prepare the cedar prior to sealing, it must be cleaned.  Dirt and grime on the cedar makes it almost impossible to apply the stain to.  

If you are starting with a fresh install of cedar siding on your home, it is best to go ahead and seal your cedar prior to install.  This will result in an easier install process as well as prevent any bleeding that may occur.  Also, all edges of the siding will be able to be sealed much easier as opposed to trying to seal them already on the house. [Read more…]