Caulking Cedar Siding Joints

The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed.

Caulking cedar siding joints.

Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. Caulking on the exterior siding joints at the corner board if done carefully does not need to be smoothed with a finger. Some of the most commonly caulked areas of siding include both corners and crevices as well as some butt joints and window and door trim boards.

If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. All butt joints will be flashed. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. It needs to move and breathe.

When you try to restrict either it is at your peril. I m about to put up siding on a building enclosure that includes a wrb taped xps and furring strips. This is a high performance formula that comes in a 10 1 oz bottle. The hole should be about 3 16 of an inch for most caulking joints.

If you re in the market for the best exterior caulk for cedar siding you will appreciate what the red devil 077010 has to offer. Think of a wood home as a living thing. Should they always be caulked. Butt joints are a perfect example of poor joint design they re too small to accommodate a bond breaker so the caulk can t stretch properly once applied but they re also too large to simply leave alone.

The siding will be a combination of lap wood siding front and colorplus hardie plank the rest. I am in agreement with martin not to use caulking as it seems to cause more. Siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. My question is limited to the seams in which the siding contacts vertical trim.

Where two pieces of siding meet. Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your finger. Butt joints but not all butt joints. It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years.

Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement.