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Cedar siding is a beautiful option for cladding a home. Whether you use white cedar, which has a blonde coloration, or red cedar, which has a pinkish red to blonde coloration, cedar will add to the beauty of your home. On the other hand, as a natural material, cedar will degrade over time if you don't take steps to preserve its coloration and integrity. Thus, if you have cedar siding on your home or plan on installing it, you need to know how to recognize causes of discoloration so that you can then take the appropriate steps to correct it. 

Mildew

If you live in a humid area, the constant damp conditions combined with a little bit of shade can create prime conditions for mildew to start growing on your home. Rather than causing your siding to fade, mildew should make dark-colored stains. To confirm that you have a problem with mildew, apply a drop or too of household bleach to an out-of-the-way, stained section of your siding. If the stain starts to bleach out, you have a mildew infestation. You can then continue removing the mildew from the rest of your siding with the same bleach solution. 

Dirt

Stains, especially oil-based stains, can attract dirt. As dirt builds up on your coils, it will cause your siding to take on a dingy, dirty look. To keep your siding looking bright and clean for years to come, you should wash your siding with a mild detergent solution from time to time. You do not need to restain after these washings. 

Fading

No stain will last forever, and as the stain begins to lose its integrity, your siding will not have any protection against the sun, and thus, your siding will start to fade. Once faded, your siding will not take stain the same way, and thus discoloration may persist even after you restain. Whenever you see signs that your stain is starting to fade, you need to re-apply as soon as possible.

Cedar siding is not the right choice for homeowners who want a siding option that they can simply install and then forget about. On the other hand, if you are willing to put in the effort to keep your tiles looking great for years to come, cedar is a great choice. The wood grain, the natural variation of color, and the way your siding weathers exposure to the elements will create a unique and beautiful look for your home. Click here for more information.