Some cedar siding shingles are treated with bleaching oil, which is a treatment made with linseed oil and bleach crystals. Along with protecting your cedar shingles against decay and other coastal contamination, this treatment will also give them the weathered silvery gray look that many homeowners prefer.
The answer is, Yes, linseed oil is one the most recommended finishes for cedar woods. For a reason that it thrives on humid weather and reduces the sunlight damage. Ideally suited for patio furniture as they need extra care from weather, so it is an ideal solution.
Chevron Shingle Oil is designed for use on shake roofs, log homes, wood siding, and fences. Protects cedar wood shingles and siding against rain, sun, and moisture. Restores wood color stain and surface.
Many people with cedar roofs wonder if an oil treatment for cedar shingles is appropriate, and the answer is an absolute yes!
Treat cedar shingles with a water-repellent preservative.
Water-repellent preservative (WRP) is a generic term for a clear finish that penetrates the wood to create a protective layer that helps prevent water damage. Applying a layer of WRP can help keep your cedar shingles protected from the elements.
If you have weathered and discolored wood siding, you can regain the new look of cedar by cleaning off the dirt and mildew with a solution of one third cup liquid household detergent (be sure it is ammonia-free), one quart liquid household bleach (containing 5% sodium hypochlorite), and three quarts warm water.
Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade over time, with constant exposure to the sun's UV rays, the elements, and water, of course. It also means that the cedar shakes can suffer from fungus and algae growth without proper treatment. Most importantly, without treatment, cedar shake shingles can catch on fire.
The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution no stronger than one-part bleach to three parts water. Apply it with a pump sprayer and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a garden hose.
As long as it's properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.
Staining cedar shingles not only enhances their beauty but also fortifies them against threats posed by the elements. Here is a helpful tip if you are thinking of staining some cedar shingles. To protect new shingles, apply a penetrating stain.
While untreated cedar siding shingles offer an attractive weathered look, they are more prone to damage caused by weather, insects, and other conditions. To avoid this type of damage, an option for you is to pick cedar siding shingles that have been factory treated or sealed.
Do not walk on treated surfaces — Chevron Shingle Oil is a petroleum oil and is slippery. Do not use on flat surfaces, such as decks. Properly licensed contractors may add certain chemicals, such as antifungal agents and other substances, to Chevron Shingle Oil.
Chevron Shingle Oil may be applied by brushing or spraying. The typical application rate is 150-300 square feet per gallon.
Boiled linseed oil, despite not providing much water-resistance to wood when applied in the usual way associated with furniture, will do much to slow the weathering to that natural grey/silver colour if applied heavily and re-applied periodically.
Oil – Teak or linseed oil is not recommended for Cedar outdoor furniture as the oil will tend to collect dust particles which will stick to the furniture. Also, oil will not keep the WRC from changing to the silver gray color. It will only slow down the natural aging process and repel water.
The spacing between shakes and shingles depends on the grain angle, width of the shake or shingle, and moisture content at the time of installation. Flat-grained shakes and shingles shrink and swell almost twice as much as vertical grained ones and require more space between them to avoid buckling.
Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered. Lastly, shakes are thicker than shingles. Durability – Generally speaking, cedar shakes are more durable and last longer than shingles because they are thicker and made from premium grade wood.
Cedar shingle maintenance must include protective treatments every one to three years. Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade, buckle, rot, and even burn. To protect and preserve your roof, every few years, professionally apply water and fire repellents, fungicides, and algaecides to the shingles.
It can take years for new cedar shingles to weather to match the color of old ones. To make them blend in at once, mix up a solution of 1 pound of baking soda and 1/2 gallon of water. Brush onto the new shingles, and they'll turn gray in a few hours.
Cleaning. If your siding's fresh color lays buried under a gray, weathered surface and mold, buy a bleach-based cleaning solution or mix 3/4-cup of bleach with 1-gallon of water to restore or salvage the cedar's luster.
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.
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.
The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.