P
Pulse Beacon

Can you change the color of cedar siding

Author

Henry Morales

Published Apr 14, 2026

So it is possible to use virtually any exterior wood stain color on the siding, but the same color or darker exterior stain will have to be used on the soffits. Keeping to one color for the body and soffits will make the application easier.

Can you stain cedar different colors?

When it comes to staining your cedar, you have three choices: natural, semi -transparent, and coloured or opaque. Consider whether you want your building to look untouched or add a pop of colour to your yard before choosing.

What colors can you stain cedar siding?

  • Cape Cod Gray.
  • Black Semi Solid.
  • Blue Spruce.
  • Chelsea Gray.
  • Cordovan Brown.
  • Dune Gray Semi Solid.
  • Pepperwood Gray.
  • Slate Gray Semi Solid.

Can I Restain my cedar siding?

Cedar siding has a warm, natural look. Restaining your cedar siding involves removing the old protective coating and applying a new layer of wood stain in the color of your choice, then applying more protective coating. Restaining can be time-consuming, but it’s easily enough done.

Can you paint exterior cedar siding?

Should You Paint Your Cedar Siding? You can paint cedar siding, but that doesn’t mean you should. … Unlike some exterior paints, the solid stain I use doesn’t require primer over bare wood spots. When exterior stain starts to go bad, it doesn’t peel from the surface as badly as paint.

What color is natural cedar?

Most types of cedar wood are a pinkish-red color, though it can have some purple tones as well. As it ages it loses its reddish hues and becomes a silver or gray color.

What stain looks good on cedar?

  • Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain.
  • Thompson’s WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain.
  • Defy Extreme Transparent Exterior Wood Stain.
  • Olympic Stain Elite Woodland Oil Stain.
  • Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain.

How do you lighten cedar siding?

One part white vinegar to 3 or 4 parts water is fine. Dip a sponge in the vinegar solution, and wipe it on the bleached wood. Rinse the sponge in clear water before dipping it again in the neutralizing solution. Once the cedar is dry, you can leave it as is or apply the finish of your choice.

How do I make cedar siding look new again?

After cleaning your cedar to bring back its color, apply a clear exterior varnish to help sustain it. A quality weatherproofing product will prolong the fresh look of your cedar and help limit algae growth. If you would prefer your siding stained another color, choose a stain that is darker than the cedar.

Should you paint cedar siding?

Cedar siding needs to be repainted every 5-7 years, but if you take some special precautions, you can get up to 10 years from one paint application. In order to do this though, you will need to ensure that you are properly preparing the surface and considering all the environmental factors.

Article first time published on

Can you paint over stained cedar siding?

Answer is yes, you can paint over stained cedar, but with some testing, also long term commitments. You’ll want to make darn sure stain has dried out, after using best deck cleaner, also great for cedar siding. … If water absorbs into wood, not repelling it, good chance it’s ready for a paint stain.

What kind of paint do you use on cedar siding?

Exterior grade acrylic-latex paint is the most dependable finish in terms of protecting cedar. The type of finish selected is driven by style preference.

Is paint or stain better for cedar siding?

Paint or stain? The best answer is based on your home’s current cedar condition. Stain lasts longer and often looks more natural, but can only be applied if cedar is paint-free. Paint offers more protection and can be a good choice for badly worn homes with previous peeling issues from past painting applications.

How often do you paint cedar siding?

According to Networx, “wood siding should be repainted every 3-7 years, or stained approximately every 4 years.” How often you’ll need to restain or repaint will depend on your region’s weather conditions as well as how often your home suffers damage.

How long will painted cedar siding last?

The primary argument against painting cedar siding is the amount of upkeep necessary. Paint will typically only last three to five years on cedar regardless of the quality of the paint, and it can begin to peel in as little as twelve months.

How soon can cedar be stained?

After installing your exterior cedar, you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor. After that, the color will rapidly change from red to gray.

Should you sand cedar before staining?

If your cedar deck is newly installed, you’ll need to sand* the cedar boards prior to staining. … The planing process causes an oily surface on the boards that can hinder the wood stain from penetrating the wood. For an existing deck, you may need to sand* to remove loose wood fibers.

What color is untreated cedar?

Left untreated, your Western Red Cedar (or Alaskan Yellow Cedar) will naturally weather to a silvery grey. Especially in coastal areas where a “beachy” look is desired or by those concerned with applying finishes, this is a beautiful, natural choice.

Does cedar darken over time?

If left in its natural state, some darkening of the wood can be expected as it ages and the color variation will become less pronounced. Application of transparent finishes will also darken western red cedar to some degree but they form a protective surface that is easier to maintain.

What Colour does cedar fade to?

When left untreated and exposed to the sun’s oxidising UV light, Western Red Cedar fades and bleaches to a beautiful silvery-grey finish. So if you’re after the weathered cedar look — perhaps some ‘silver fox’, distinguished weathered cedar cladding, for example — you simply don’t need to apply any treatment.

Can you pressure wash cedar siding?

Cedar shake siding will grow algae and mold if it’s not cleaned once in a while. Algae and mold will cause deterioration and discoloration to your cedar siding. Much like a wooden deck, you can use detergents and a pressure washer to blast the grime away and reveal the beautiful cedar color within.

Is Power Washing bad for cedar siding?

Power washing can be used to clean cedar as long as the sprayer is set at a low pressure to prevent damaging the wood’s soft surface. Once cleaned and allowed to dry, the wood can then be painted using a urethane-acrylic house paint. … It is unsightly, but the cedar has not been damaged.

Can you put vinyl siding over cedar siding?

Our Answer. Vinyl siding can be installed over top of wood clapboard siding, and doing so would be the most economical way to get the home resided. New plywood sheathing would not be necessary.

Can you lighten cedar?

The best woods for bleaching include oak, beach, ash, and gum. Varieties like poplar and pine are already so light that removing further natural wood color might render them bland and lifeless. Others, like cedar, redwood, rosewood, and cherry don’t take bleach well.

How do you Restain cedar?

The first thing you need to do when restaining cedar siding is to clean the surface. Mix one part bleach with four parts water and use it to wash the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and reveal the wood finish. Afterwards, rinse the surface with a second damp cloth and pat the siding dry with a dry cloth.

How much does cedar siding cost?

Cedar shake siding costs between $6 and $12 per square foot for materials and installation. Shingle siding costs $6 to $10 per square foot. To put cedar siding on an entire house, it costs $9,000 to $19,000 or more, depending on the size of the home.

Can you paint a cedar sided house?

Acrylic-based paint is recommended when painting cedar siding as it looks great and offers the protection the natural wood needs. Acrylic paint also has strong adhesion abilities and is even mildew-resistant, making it a perfect fit.

Should I stain cedar siding?

High-quality paint or stain, properly applied, should last five to seven years, and as many as 10, depending on weather conditions and if you maintain the siding. However, you may need to reapply a clear-coat stain every two years. … If new cedar siding requires a finish, apply to individual shakes before installation.

How do you paint exterior cedar?

Allow the washed surface to dry before recoating and apply primer paint to areas of bare wood. After the primer has dried, apply one or two topcoats of paint or solid-color stain. Two topcoats are always better over bare wood that has been primed. These may be applied to Western Red Cedar by brush, roller, or pad.

How do you paint cedar siding that is peeling?

  1. Scrape off all the peeling bits.
  2. Sand the remaining paint to a feather edge with 60-grit paper.
  3. Kill the mildew on the old paint with a mix of diluted bleach and dish soap.
  4. Rinse thoroughly by using a hose or even a power-washer on low setting.

How long will untreated cedar siding last?

Longevity Cedar siding must be properly maintained at all times to reach its maximum lifespan, with many planks needing to be replaced after just 10 to 15 years, and even well-maintained cedar siding may only last around 20 to 30 years in some climates.