Caulking Cedar Siding Seams

Paintable silicone caulk can be used around the outside of window units to properly seal the window and the siding edge or around the entire door unit.

Caulking cedar siding seams.

When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. Think of a wood home as a living thing.

The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur. Because the staing will tint the caulk slightly.

In my opinion caulking between the seams in any lapped siding either horizontal or vertical is not good practice but not just because of any potential vapor barrier effect. It needs to move and breathe. Use when installing bath fixtures to seal gaps between shower tiles between sinks and counters and around the base of the toilet. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints.

If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. Use around sinks tubs and showers. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product.

Don t use a filler like wood filler as it will not move with the cedar siding. Grumpy chicago gutters. Me i would powerwash the house let dry overnight caulk the seams and around the edges with cedar colored caulk then stain.