Caulking Cedar Lap Siding

It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding.

Caulking cedar lap siding.

Whether you are repainting replacing a window or replacing the siding on your house the caulking around the window trim is a very important element. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. Think of a wood home as a living thing. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril.

The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time. If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good. Width is a matter of taste and proper proportion.

Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it. The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement.

If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. How to caulk the window trim on lap siding. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk.