Caulking Cedar Siding Seams

Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding.

Caulking cedar siding seams.

Use around sinks tubs and showers. Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good.

Grumpy chicago gutters. The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. In my opinion caulking between the seams in any lapped siding either horizontal or vertical is not good practice but not just because of any potential vapor barrier effect.

When caulking seams between windows and masonry siding including basement windows and windows on stucco or brick homes you ll need an exterior caulk that s compatible with. When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product. Use when installing bath fixtures to seal gaps between shower tiles between sinks and counters and around the base of the toilet. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement.

It needs to move and breathe. Paintable silicone caulk can be used around the outside of window units to properly seal the window and the siding edge or around the entire door unit. Don t use a filler like wood filler as it will not move with the cedar siding. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk.

It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. Because the staing will tint the caulk slightly. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints.