Are you dreaming of a new look for your home? Cedar siding is a natural beauty, and staining the planks can dramatically enhance the design (in a good way!). It’s also highly recommended never to leave cedar siding or material untreated. Coating your cedar siding in some type of stain (oil-based, please) does wonders for your home regarding protection and aesthetics.
Whether you’re staining cedar siding, a cedar fence, or a deck, here’s your ultimate guide to choosing the best western red cedar siding and whether or not you should hire a professional to apply it.
Key takeaways
When staining cedar, always use a solvent-borne oil-based stain for maximum protection against the weather and UV rays.
It’s always best to prime or apply a base (like a sealer) to your cedar siding before applying your finish.
Hiring professionals to stain cedar is the best way to ensure the project is completed properly the first time.
How to choose the best stain for cedar siding
When choosing a wood stain for your cedar siding, consider a few factors first, like the stain’s ability to protect the natural texture of the wood grain, the color of the wood finish, and how it holds up to different weather conditions. It’s also important to know how much maintenance the stain requires, like how often you will need to reapply it.
The best cedar siding stain options
Image source: Cabot Stain
Staining natural cedar requires special products for long-lasting protection and beautiful curb appeal. Here are the best stains that penetrate the wood’s surface for a clean look full of optimal protection, regardless of whether you’re staining siding, a cedar deck, or cedar shingles.
Clear deck and siding sealer
Clear deck sealer is a transparent sealant applied over natural cedar to protect the wood’s finish. This sealer is applied onto the wood’s surface to protect it from weather elements without disrupting the color of the finish or stain you choose to apply over it. Applying this clear sealant protects your wood from moisture that causes the planks to expand and shrink over time and does not affect the finish of the stain you apply next. Some sealing products come as a stain, so you can combine the steps of applying sealer and then putting a stain into one.
Here are the best sealers to use before staining cedar wood in any form:
Pros
- + Excellent protection against moisture and other elements
- + Enhances the natural beauty of wood
- + Keeps wood from splintering
Cons
- - Have to reapply every 1-2 years
- - The transparent finish is weak against UV rays
Solvent-borne, oil-based, semi-transparent stains
Solvent-borne, oil-based, semi-transparent stains combine all the best ingredients for a cedar fence stain or cedar wood. Solvent-borne stains are formed with a colorant that gives your wood the dark or light finish you want, while the oil-based and semi-transparent properties provide protection and allow the natural beauty of the wood’s texture and grain to shine through the colored pigments.
Here are the best solvent-borne, oil-based, semi-transparent stains to consider for your cedar staining project:
Pros
- + Penetrates the wood for optimal performance and protection
- + Embraces the wood’s natural beauty
- + Lasts longer than other stains
Cons
- - Needs to be reapplied more frequently
- - Higher in VOCs
- - Requires a longer drying time
Natural oil-based stains
Natural oil-based stains are low on VOCs, which is excellent for lowering the threat of several health irritations. More than that, they’re also deeply penetrative to the wood’s surface to protect from weather damage. They also do not minimize the natural beauty of the wood grain and texture, which is a huge plus for the aesthetics of your deck or siding.
Here are some natural oil-based stains to check out for your stain project:
Pros
- + More durable than water-based stains
- + Provides a rich color to your cedar wood
- + Penetrates the wood deeply for a long-lasting finish
Cons
- - May require several coats to see rich color
- - Has a longer drying time than other stains
- - Contains a higher count of VOCs
Solid stains
Solid stains are like a combination of paint and a semi-transparent stain. In essence, solid stains bring a richer color depending on the finish you select. Still, their primary purpose is to protect water, UV rays, and other weather conditions. Since solid stains create a film that lays over the wood, the natural beauty is compromised since the texture and grain will be hidden underneath the stain color.
Here are a few of the best solid stains to check out for your cedar siding:
Pros
- + Offers even color application
- + Protect the wood from UV rays and moisture
- + Easier to clean than other types of stain
Cons
- - Does not penetrate the wood; it only sits on the surface
- - Can crack and peel
- - Hides the wood’s natural beauty
Factors to consider when staining cedar siding
Before selecting any old wood stain, there are a few factors to consider.
Base/primer: Always apply an alkyd-oil-based primer to western red cedar for staining. This extra layer provides more protection from water and weather elements while providing the perfect base to enhance the finish of your stain.
Opacity: The opacity of a stain is definitely a factor to consider since it determines how much wood grain shines through the finish. If you want a lot of the natural wood grain to shine through, you’ll want a stain that’s semi-transparent or clear to allow the grain to remain visible.
Wood type: Western red cedar wood relies on the durability of semi-transparent stains to offer extreme protection from the outdoor environment. Knowing the type of wood, you’re working with outside leads you to the right product to get extended usage out of the material without it looking unappealing after the stain is added.
Staining cedar siding: DIY or hire a pro?
While you can stain cedar siding yourself, it’s always to consider hiring a professional. This DIY project is very time-consuming since it requires multiple coats with drying time in between, and it involves special tools like a sprayer, brushes, and more. Professionals know how to treat old or new cedar siding and get the job done effectively. Plus, you may find that the expense of labor fees is worth it, so you don’t have to worry about completing the project yourself or messing up and paying to fix your mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
It’s best to use an oil-based stain instead of water-based or latex stains for cedar siding. Oil-based stains hold up better and showcase the wood’s natural beauty while also containing a lot of pigments that penetrate the wood fibers and add protection from the outside elements. Water-based stains should be kept away from cedar wood since they cause the wood to swell, while latex stains don’t penetrate the fibers.
You will want to use an oil-based product and a semi-transparent stain for staining western red cedar wood. These stains have enough durability in their formula to protect the wood from weather elements and last longer than water-based or solid color paint. You can apply an acrylic latex stain with solid colors over the oil-based primer if you want to add more design to your cedar siding.
Yes, you should prime cedar siding before staining for multiple reasons. First, applying an oil-based primer will better protect the wood and preserve its natural beauty. Second, priming enhances the aesthetics of the finish you apply since it creates an even canvas that allows the top cost to shine through.
Western red cedar is a popular choice for wood for home siding, and with proper maintenance and staining products, it can last several years. How long you get your cedar siding to last depends on the products you use and how well you maintain the planks, so to get the longest lifespan possible, make sure you treat the wood with an oil-based primer (two coats) before applying a latex stain or finish on top. Always perform regular cleaning after staining and inspect your siding several times a year to ensure it stays moisture-free for optimal performance.