How to Care For Wood Siding in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland

Wood is one of the most beautiful materials to use for siding, but it is also the most expensive. It's important to maintain wood siding properly to avoid premature wear, especially in wet areas. often repair wood siding that has been damaged by water. HouseLogic provides tips on caring for wood siding that include finishes, cleaning, damage prevention and restoration.

Finishes

All wood siding requires some type of finish to protect it from the elements, whether it's stain, sealer or paint. Siding contractors Northern Virginia know that the high humidity in this area can cause unfinished wood siding to quickly decay and rot. Variations in humidity and temperature can also cause wood siding to repeatedly expand and contract, which can create stress on the siding near the corners, doors and windows according to siding repair contractors. Wood rot can occur when size fluctuations in the siding create cracks in the caulked seams. Some types of wood such as cedar, cypress or redwood have a natural resistance to rot, although they aren't completely immune to the effects of water.

• Stain
  - protects wood siding while allowing you to see the grain of the wood, according to siding contractors Northern Virginia. This type of finish penetrates the wood and seals it against moisture. Siding repair contractors also report that stain is also less likely to chip or crack, which can be a problem with paint. The primary disadvantage of stain is that it's difficult to give the wood a lighter color once you apply stain because it penetrates the wood. Stain requires less preparation then paint, so it's less labor-intensive. A home improvement contractor Maryland will typically charge $2,000 to $4,000 to stain a modestly-sized house of about 2,300 square feet.

• Sealer
  - is somewhat similar to stain as a finish for wood siding except that sealer has no color. Its primary purpose is to protect the siding from moisture, although modern sealers also block ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This can cause the wood to become a silver gray in color. However, this protection isn't absolute and the sun will eventually turn wood gray, even when it's covered by a sealer. Home improvement contractors Northern Virginia can cover a medium-sized house with sealer over the course of a weekend.

• Paint
  - is a highly versatile finish for wood siding since it's available in any desired color and you can change it at any time. Wood siding requires new paint when the current finish begins to crack or peel, which typically takes about five years, according to home improvement contractors Northern Virginia. Siding repair contractors typically charge $3,000 to $5,000 for a modest house and will require a total of about 60 hours of labor.

Cleaning

The most common cause of discolored wood siding is ordinary dirt. Siding contractors Northern Virginia recommend that you clean your wood siding annually with a soft brush and warm, soapy water. Clean a 20-foot wide section and rinse it off thoroughly before moving on to the next section.

Rust stains are also a common problem with wood siding, according to a home improvement contractor Maryland. The primary cause of these stains is an un-galvanized metal fastener such as a screw or nail, which can leave dark stains with vertical streaks on wood siding. A solution of four ounces of oxalic acid in one cup of warm water is effective in removing rust stains. Mildew can appear on wood siding as small black spots. Clean mildew stains with a solution of one part bleach and four parts water. Rinse the siding thoroughly with water.

Damage Prevention

Home improvement contractors in Northern Virginia report that the areas of greatest vulnerability to water damage are where the wood siding meets, doors, windows and corners. Inspect the caulked seams in these areas for cracks or places where the caulk is pulling away from the siding. Prevent damage by applying caulk that matches the color of your siding on a warm, dry day. It's also important to trim foliage so that it doesn't touch your wood siding. This will prevent moisture from the foliage from seeping into cracks in the siding

Restoration

A home improvement contractor in Maryland may be able to restore wood siding to its original color. This generally involves the use of a wood cleaner, which is commonly available at home improvement stores. Wood cleaners are primarily designed for wood decks, but they are also effective on siding.

For advice on exterior renovations, roofing, doors, windows, siding, and other exterior home improvement projects in Greater Alexandria, Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland, visit our blog at Exterior Medics!