Why Wood Siding Treatments Matter

Few other materials can wrap your home in such rustic beauty while evoking a sense of natural luxury like wood siding can. Wood can add to your property’s aesthetic charm while also being the most environmentally-friendly siding option available on the current market. Not to mention, making repairs or replacements to damaged sections of this siding is considerably easier to accomplish than compared to wood’s vinyl or aluminum counterparts. However, with the benefits of wood siding come several drawbacks…

While wood is generally a tough and durable material, it must be consistently maintained. If this maintenance is allowed to fall to the wayside, there is the potential for damages to go unnoticed until it’s too late. Moisture can wreak havoc on your wood siding if not properly cared for, resulting in cracks, warping, rotting, rust, peeling paint, discoloration and potential structural damage. Right behind water damage, insect infestations are the most common and destructive issues homeowners with wood siding need to be wary of. Pests like termites, carpenter ants and boring beetles are all exceptionally fond of wood, eating their fill and leaving the material full of holes and susceptible to rapid rot. If left to their own devices, such wood-damaging vermin can destroy the exterior of your property, negatively affecting your home’s appearance and condition.

Maintenance & Treatment

In order to keep your home’s or property’s wood exterior presentable and damage free, general and annual maintenance is required. If properly treated and cared for, your wood siding has the potential to last upwards of 50 years – a lifespan that is only 10 years short of the vinyl alternatives. In terms of general care that can be accomplish on your own; ensure that mulch, shrubbery, branches and other vegetation is at least a foot from the siding. Having such foliage too close to your wood siding can leave scratches and discoloration while also attracting pest closer to your home. When mowing, be aware of the direction you’re throwing rocks and sticks to avoid hitting the side of your property and causing cracks. Frequent cleanings with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush is also a great way of extending the life of your wood siding, though time consuming.

When it comes to truly protecting your investment however, sealing your wood siding is the only way to go. Treated wood last longer, is weather, light and water resistant (a very important feature here in the Pacific Northwest) and is ultimately easier to take care of. While choosing to seal your wood siding is a relatively painless decision to make, determining which treatment method is best for your home can be more difficult. Whether a sealant, natural finish stain or opaque finish, selecting a treatment type depends mainly on your design preferences, budget and how frequently you are willing to reapply.

A Professional Finish

The most difficult and lengthy process in maintaining a home’s wooden siding is completing a necessary wood treatment every few years (the exact length varies by sealant used). While you might be planning on driving to the nearest hardware store, grabbing a few supplies and giving it a go, there are a few things to ask yourself before attempting a DIY treatment. Do you have a sprayer? Do you know what PSI is required to deliver constant pressure without over-spraying? Do you know how to open the grain of your siding or which type of treatment is going to work best for the wood type you are working with? If any of these inquiries left you scratching your head, it may be time to put down the keys and give the professionals a call.

At Snugs Services, we have been working with wood siding on residential homes for years and, more recently, have branched out to handling much larger projects. Thanks to our top-of-the-line equipment, tools and materials, we can properly complete any job, regardless of the scale. Our specially trained crews have the skills necessary to ensure that each project is completed in a quick, professional manner, from prep to finish. There’s no need to worry about selecting the right treatment type, using the correct techniques or determining the best weather for completing the project. You’ll also save yourself a considerable amount of time and heartache by avoiding unnecessary mistakes when you allow the professionals to handle the task. We’ll even take care of the clean-up! By scheduling annual inspections, upkeeping with general maintenance and having your wood siding treated when needed, you will see the lifespan of your siding increase significantly. Don’t wait until your siding is rotting away and swarms of termites have made cozy in your walls – call Snugs Services and keep your home’s or property’s exterior looking great and damage free.

Snugs Pro Wash, Inc, dba SNUGS Services, has been providing high quality Pressure Washing Services in Portland, OR since 1995. Started as a residential pressure washing and roof cleaning service, SNUGS is now one of the leading exterior cleaning companies in the Northwest. From our humble beginnings as a man with a truck and a trailer we have grown to become a multi-million dollar company serving corporate customers, name brands, and mom and pop companies alike.

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