Why Cedar Clapboard Siding Can Bring So Many Benefits
Cedar Clapboard
Cedar clapboard siding is extremely common, and has been for many decades. In fact, many of the properties which feature it are over a century old. This is surely a great testimony as to how well this material weathers storms, rain, and everything else which the elements can throw at it. This traditional material has stood the test of time, and now it is being made even stronger by modern techniques involving working the wood, and then kiln drying it.
Traditional cedar may be, but it can and should play a great part in our future. We have reached a stage on planet Earth where we know we need to change so much about the way we live if we are going to survive. Fossil fuel resources are limited, and we need to develop renewable energy sources to take over very quickly. Many of the materials we are using in industry and in our daily lives are creating toxic waste and residues. Other materials such as plastics are very hard to dispose of once their use has come to an end, so we need to find better materials with which to work.
Cedar has been a blessing to the construction industry for decades, and it has the potential to be even more so in the future. It is completely natural and biodegrades easily, and it can be produced in a completely renewable way. It is for this reason, among others, that you should consider replacing cedar clapboard siding with another version of the same thing if and when it ever gets to the stage where replacement is necessary.
If you possess some basic carpentry skills, you can do the job yourself. If you don’t, you will need to get a craftsman in. Removing the existing cedar clapboard siding will not be too difficult, always provided you are careful. Make sure you pry the old board off evenly, and not by breaking the board away. This will only make it more difficult for you to remove the pieces which are left. One positive side effect of you having to carry out this replacement is that you can now add a layer of moisture barrier, which was often missing on older installations.
When you are ready to add the new cedar clapboard siding, make sure you create the slope which allows rainwater to drain away. If this does not happen, you may be storing pools of water which can cause problems even if you have added a moisture barrier. Try to leave a small gap near windows and doors to allow for movement. Once you are finished, you can expect to look forward to many years of good service from your new siding. There is nothing like using a product which has stood the test of time, and few have managed that as well as cedar clapboard.