Can You Change a Cedar Home Into Siding?

Preparing the Cedar For Siding

• When cedar is left untreated, it cracks, rots and flakes apart. Before adding siding over the cedar, the surface needs filling so it is smooth and flat. Fill all of the small cracks with wood filler or replace any damaged boards so there is no damaged exposed wood. Spray and clean the cedar and seal it with a wood sealer. Let it dry thoroughly before putting on the siding.

Masonite Siding Over Cedar

• Masonite siding works well over cedar. Masonite is held together with glue, resin and wax. It comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets. It has a wood grain pattern pressed into the masonite, so it looks like painted wood when finished. Masonite is less expensive than most other types of siding, but it requires more maintenance. This siding requires regular painting just like any other wooden surface.

Vinyl Siding

• Vinyl siding comes in a wide array of colors and styles. Vinyl siding comes in 12-foot strips that have pre-cut holes for nailing the pieces into place. Cutting the vinyl into shorter pieces is simple. All you need for putting up vinyl siding is a pair of heavy scissors or snips, a hammer and sheetrock nails. Vinyl siding requires little to no upkeep. The only necessary upkeep required is power washing the siding if it gets dirty or moldy. Choose your color wisely because you can never paint vinyl siding. Vinyl siding gets expensive if you wand special colors or patterns.

Stucco Siding

• Stucco siding changes the look of a home drastically, making it look more like a Spanish-style home. Stucco is easily painted in any color. If stucco is done incorrectly, it cracks over time. Before adding stucco over cedar, a water barrier is applied. The easiest way to add a water barrier is nailing a thick layer of Styrofoam siding over the wood. Once it is completely covered, apply the stucco according to manufacturer's instructions. Over time, cracks appear and need filling. Stucco requires painting just like any type of wood, so it requires a lot of maintenance.