Cedar Siding

Cedar siding is simply siding cut from (most commonly) the Western Red Cedar. Cedar siding features great dimensional stability, which allows it retain its shape while also taking to nailing and staining well. Western Cedar will help keep warmth during the winter months and keep interiors cool during the summer.

In a world made up mostly of homes with the same old vinyl siding, homes clad with cedar siding stand out as unique and beautiful. Homes with cedar siding as their exterior have a rich, brown warmth. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, wood shingles are usually made from western red cedar, cypress, pine and redwood trees. The cedar can be cut to form planks that are fit together, or can be in the form of shingles or “shakes.” The use of cedar has been going on for a long time in the United States and Canada. As a matter of fact, the material has a fascinating history that many homeowners may not even know about.

According to the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, cedar was used by the Native Americans who called it the “tree of life.” The group says aboriginal people used cedar trees to make rope, clothing, baskets, canoes, houses and totem poles.

1. Beautiful

The unique tones and patterns of untreated cedar siding mean no two homes look exactly the same. Homeowners can also treat the siding with stains, finishes or oils to create a variety of different looks and colors. While other colors and styles of siding can look dated, cedar siding is timeless. Because cedar has such a classic look, it goes well with all different types of homes.

2. Durable

While wood in your home often needs special care and extra protection against moisture, cedar is naturally water resistant. It is also naturally resistant to decay and insects. “Cedar fibers in the heartwood contain natural preservatives that are toxic to decay-causing fungi,” says the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.

3. Safe

Vinyl siding is very popular, however, it has one serious drawback. In the case of a fire, the chemicals that make up the siding give off harmful, potentially deadly fumes. That is not so with cedar. “Western red cedar has flame spread and smoke development classifications that are superior to the minimums set by most building codes,” notes the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.

4. Environmentally Friendly

According to the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau, cedar is “green,” a renewable resource. That’s because the group says that new cedar trees are always being planted. The group sites statistics from the American Forest and Paper association that say that in 1999, the forestry community planted some 1.7 billion trees in the United States. That’s an average of more than 4 million new trees planted every day and more than five new trees a year for every man, woman and child in America. The group says the cedar trees it maintains are also good for the environment because they suck up greenhouse gas emissions that help lead to global warming.

Every home, just like every household is different. The way you chose to display it to the world is up to you. However, there are a number of reasons that cedar makes a great choice. Find a professional and ask them for more information about cedar today!