There are two primary reasons for cedar shake to become dull and old looking.
How do you clean cedar shake siding.
Oil stains that are.
Mildew or what is called tannin.
Before you give in and paint your shingles realize that cedar shingles can last decades with virtually no maintenance.
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.
Cedar shingles in sunny and dry climates may only need to be cleaned every 2 to 3 years.
Cedar shake siding will grow algae and mold if it s not cleaned once in a while.
Stained cedar siding has a tendency to discolor over time.
You don t have to do much to cedar shingle siding if you prefer its weathered gray look other than clean and coat it with a clear water resistant preservative and inspect it for rot and damage periodically.
How often you clean your cedar shingle roof depends on the climate you live in.
Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage.
Step 1 clean.
Cedar shake siding often needs to be cleaned in order to maintain its original beauty when this happens it is time to spruce up your siding and put the old vibrancy back into it.
To determine this you need to consider the challenges the environment you live in pose to your roof.
Power washing can damage the wood and bleach can damage a power washer.
Do not attempt to power wash your cedar siding.
Algae and mold will cause deterioration and discoloration to your cedar siding.
You have several options for covering cedar siding including stain a clear treatment or paint.
Learning how to care for cedar shingles whether they are installed as siding or roofing is not particularly difficult.
The black coloring or darkening of the cedar siding is caused by mold growth.
Left untreated cedar shakes individual planks of one of several varieties of cedar will discolor and begin to soften with a possibility of rot after about five years depending on your climate.
How to clean stained cedar siding.