Caulking Cedar Siding Joints

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.

Caulking cedar siding joints.

The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding. All butt joints will be flashed. This is a high performance formula that comes in a 10 1 oz bottle.

When you try to restrict either it is at your peril. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. It needs to move and breathe. If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk.

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. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. I am in agreement with martin not to use caulking as it seems to cause more.

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. I m about to put up siding on a building enclosure that includes a wrb taped xps and furring strips. Should they always be caulked. My question is limited to the seams in which the siding contacts vertical trim.

Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time. Caulking on the exterior siding joints at the corner board if done carefully does not need to be smoothed with a finger. A lot of moisture from rain snow misdirected sprinklers or exuberant water fights can get in there enough to do some serious and expensive damage. Where two pieces of siding meet.

Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your finger. The hole should be about 3 16 of an inch for most caulking joints. It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years. Think of a wood home as a living thing.

Butt joints but not all butt joints.