Caulking Cedar Siding Joints

I am in agreement with martin not to use caulking as it seems to cause more.

Caulking cedar siding joints.

Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your 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. Should they always be caulked. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time.

The answer depends on the manufacturer and installation method used when the siding was first installed. I m not a painter but i do install cedar siding and i always caulk all the joints. Siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. This is a high performance formula that comes in a 10 1 oz bottle.

If i am installing a prefinished product which i do mostly i use a color osi match caulk. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril. If i install a non finished product i usually go with a 3m paintable caulk. I m about to put up siding on a building enclosure that includes a wrb taped xps and furring strips.

All butt joints will be flashed. The siding will be a combination of lap wood siding front and colorplus hardie plank the rest. 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. My question is limited to the seams in which the siding contacts vertical trim.

It needs to move and breathe. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Where two pieces of siding meet. Think of a wood home as a living thing.

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. Butt joints but not all butt joints. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement. Generally we do not recommend caulking butt joints on cedar siding.

It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years.