Caulking Cedar Siding Joints

My question is limited to the seams in which the siding contacts vertical trim.

Caulking cedar siding joints.

It needs to move and breathe. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement. The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed.

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. Caulking on the exterior siding joints at the corner board if done carefully does not need to be smoothed with a finger. 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. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time.

The siding will be a combination of lap wood siding front and colorplus hardie plank the rest. Siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. Think of a wood home as a living thing. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.

This is a high performance formula that comes in a 10 1 oz bottle. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding.

Should they always be caulked. All butt joints will be flashed. 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. Butt joints but not all butt joints.

Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your finger. I am in agreement with martin not to use caulking as it seems to cause more. I m about to put up siding on a building enclosure that includes a wrb taped xps and furring strips. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril.

The hole should be about 3 16 of an inch for most caulking joints.