Elena Rossi
Cedar shakes are a popular roofing material due to their natural beauty and durability. Painting cedar shakes can be a challenging task, and there are several factors to consider before starting the project. One of the most important considerations is whether to seal the edges of the shakes before painting. While sealing the edges may seem like a good idea to protect the wood, it is generally not recommended as cedar shakes need to breathe and sealing them can shorten their lifespan. Instead, proper preparation, priming, and painting techniques are key to ensuring a successful and long-lasting finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should I seal the edges of cedar shakes before painting? | No, sealing will shorten the lifespan of the cedar shakes. Cedar shakes need to breathe and sealing will cause premature replacement. |
| Painting cedar shakes | Painting cedar shakes is possible but involves a lot of preparation and attention to detail. |
| Best time to paint | It is best to paint cedar shakes before they are installed. Painting bare cedar shakes that are already installed is very hard and can lead to other problems. |
| Primer | Primer is essential for protecting the wood and providing a surface for the paint to adhere to. An oil-based stain-blocking primer is the best choice to protect the wood from mold, mildew, and other stains. |
| Paint | Exterior-grade acrylic-latex paint is the most dependable finish in terms of protecting cedar. |
| Age of shakes | If the shakes are new, it is best to let them weather properly before painting them. |
| Condition of shakes | If the shakes are damaged or rotting, they should be repaired or replaced before painting. |
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What You'll Learn
Painting cedar shakes before or after installation
Painting cedar shakes is a tedious task that involves a lot of preparation and attention to detail. Painting cedar shakes before or after installation depends on the look you want to achieve and the level of protection you want to provide.
If you want to paint your cedar shakes before installation, there are a few methods you can use. One popular method is to use a spray paint booth to minimize paint overspray. You can set up a spray paint booth inside a garage using large cardboard boxes or sheets of plastic to create a small room. Another method is to dip the shakes in paint. To do this, fill a clean 5-gallon bucket with 4 gallons of paint and dip each shake completely into the paint, leaving 2 inches from the top unpainted. Use a paintbrush to remove the excess paint and ensure that all edges of the shake are covered. After painting, you can use a scrap piece of plywood with grooves cut into it to allow the shakes to dry without touching each other.
Painting cedar shakes after installation can be challenging as it is difficult to cover the entire shake. The gaps between the shakes can cause water to penetrate and soak into the bare cedar wood, leading to chemical stains and paint bubbling or flaking. However, if you choose to paint after installation, it is recommended to use a primer to protect the wood and provide a surface for the paint to adhere to. An oil-based stain-blocking primer is ideal for protecting the wood from mold, mildew, and stains. After priming, you can apply at least two coats of exterior-grade acrylic-latex paint, focusing on overlapped edges and cracks to ensure complete protection.
Additionally, when painting cedar shakes, whether before or after installation, it is important to properly prepare the wood. New cedar shakes require less preparation, but if the shakes have been installed for a while, you may need to recondition the wood fibers to accept and retain the paint. Remove any mold, mildew, or stains with a cleaner or bleach mixture and allow the wood to dry thoroughly before painting.
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The best type of primer for cedar shakes
Cedar shakes are a difficult material to maintain, whether you choose to paint them, stain them, or let them weather naturally. They must be checked regularly for mold and mildew, and they can warp, split, or crack over time.
If you are looking to paint cedar shakes, it is recommended to do so before they are installed. This is because painting bare cedar shakes that are already installed is very hard and can lead to other problems down the line. One major problem is that water can penetrate under the cedar shakes and cause the paint to bubble and flake off.
To prepare cedar shakes for painting, you will need to remove any mold, mildew, or stains with a cleaner or bleach mixture and then let the areas dry thoroughly, which can take up to two weeks. If it rains, you may need to wait longer for the surface to dry.
When it comes to the best type of primer for cedar shakes, an oil-based stain-blocking primer is the best choice to protect the wood from mold, mildew, and other stains. Vertical grain cedar absorbs alkyd-oil stain-blocking primers better than flat grain cedar, and knotty cedar holds these primers well. You can also use a high-quality latex primer as long as it contains stain blockers. It is recommended to go with a two-coat system for protecting your cedar shakes.
After the primer has dried completely, it is time to apply the paint. Using exterior-grade acrylic-latex paint, apply at least two coats of paint, making sure to focus on the overlapped edges and the cracks and crevices to ensure you've protected the entire surface.
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How to paint cedar shakes
Painting cedar shakes is a challenging task that requires a lot of preparation and attention to detail. The process is much easier if the shakes are new and uninstalled, as painting between the gaps of installed shakes can be a nightmare. Painting bare cedar shakes that are already installed is not only difficult but can also lead to other problems down the line. Water can penetrate the gaps between the shakes, causing the paint to bubble and flake off.
If you are painting uninstalled shakes, one method is to use a spray or dip technique. You can create a spray-paint booth in your garage using cardboard boxes or plastic sheets to minimise paint overspray. Alternatively, you can dip each shake into a bucket of paint, holding it by the thin top edge, and ensuring that all edges are covered. After dipping, use a paintbrush to remove the excess paint. This method ensures that the front, back, and all edges of each shake are coated.
Before painting installed cedar shakes, you must prepare the wood fibres to accept and retain the paint. Start by removing any mould, mildew, or stains with a cleaner or bleach mixture. Allow the shakes to dry thoroughly, which can take up to two weeks or longer if it rains. If there are multiple layers of paint on the shakes, you may need to strip the paint using a paint stripping tool, a floor edging sander, or an IR heat gun. Be cautious if the paint contains lead, as special precautions are required for removal.
Once the shakes are prepared, it is essential to prime the wood to protect it and provide a surface for the paint to adhere to. Use an oil-based stain-blocking primer to guard against mould, mildew, and stains. Ensure that the primer gets into any overlapped edges, cracks, and crevices. If using a roller or paint sprayer, back-brush the surfaces to ensure complete coverage. Allow the primer to dry completely before applying the paint.
For the paint, use an exterior-grade acrylic-latex paint, applying at least two coats. Focus on the overlapped edges and cracks to ensure full protection. You can add water resistance, fire protection, and additional mould and mildew protection to the paint. However, you may need extra treatments to fully safeguard your cedar shakes.
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The best type of paint for cedar shakes
Painting cedar shakes can be a lot of work, but it is possible. Cedar shakes are a beautiful and natural way to enhance the exterior of your home. They are also resistant to rot and insects. However, they are difficult to maintain. One popular method of preserving cedar shakes is to paint them.
Before painting cedar shakes, it is important to prepare the shakes properly. If the shakes are new, it is best to let them weather for up to two weeks before painting. This allows the shakes to acclimate to their environment and reduces the risk of cracking and peeling the paint. If the shakes are older, they should be inspected for signs of wear, such as rot or insect damage, and these issues should be addressed before painting.
When it comes to the type of paint to use, it is important to use high-quality paint specifically designed for exterior use. Oil-based paint or water-based paint with a high solid content are both good options as they provide better adhesion and durability. It is also recommended to use paint with UV inhibitors to protect against fading and discolouration due to sun exposure. If you live in an area with high precipitation, you should use paint that is resistant to mildew.
To get the best results, it is recommended to use a two-coat system. The cedar shakes should first be primed with a stain-blocking primer, preferably oil-based, to protect the wood from mould, mildew, and other stains. Then, a top coat of exterior-grade acrylic-latex paint should be applied. This type of paint provides the most dependable finish in terms of protecting the cedar shakes. It is important to ensure that all sides of the cedar shakes are coated, paying close attention to overlapped edges and cracks.
It is worth noting that there are alternative options to traditional cedar shakes that require less maintenance. Composite cedar shakes, for example, provide the same natural look but without the hassle of painting and maintenance.
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The challenges of painting cedar shakes
Painting cedar shakes can be a challenging task, and there are several factors to consider before starting. Firstly, cedar shakes are a natural material that expands and contracts over time due to changes in temperature and humidity. This means that if you paint them before they are installed, you may not get an even colour once they are installed and have expanded or contracted. On the other hand, painting cedar shakes after they are installed can be very difficult, as it is hard to get the paint into all the gaps and cracks between the shakes.
Another challenge is preparing the shakes for painting. If the shakes are new, it is recommended to let them weather for a period before painting, although not too long (ideally no more than 12 weeks). If the shakes are old, any mould, mildew, or stains must be removed with a cleaner or bleach mixture, and the wood must be thoroughly dried, which can take up to two weeks or longer if it rains. Oil-stained wood may need to be mechanically abraded, and in some cases, it may be better to replace the shingles rather than trying to sand them down, as oil soaks far into the wood.
Choosing the right primer and paint is also crucial. Primer is essential for protecting the wood and giving the paint a surface to adhere to. An oil-based stain-blocking primer is recommended to protect the wood from mould, mildew, and stains. After the primer has dried, exterior-grade acrylic-latex paint should be applied, with a minimum of two coats to ensure complete coverage. It is important to note that one-coat paint is not recommended for cedar shakes, and a primer with a paint top coat will have a longer service life.
Finally, there are some specific challenges to consider when painting cedar shakes, such as avoiding drips and runs when painting between the shakes, and ensuring the shakes are completely dry before they are installed to avoid water penetration. Overall, painting cedar shakes requires a lot of preparation and attention to detail to achieve a smooth and long-lasting finish.
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Frequently asked questions
No, sealing cedar shakes is not recommended as they need to breathe. They expand and contract in rain conditions and sealing them will shorten their lifespan.
If the shakes are new, it is best to let them weather properly before painting. If they are old, you will need to recondition the wood fibres to prepare them to accept and retain the paint. You should also remove any mold, mildew, or stains with a cleaner or bleach mixture and then let the areas dry thoroughly.
It is important to use high-quality paint that is specifically designed for exterior use. Oil-based paint or water-based paint with a high solid content are both suitable options as they provide better adhesion and durability. Additionally, it is recommended to use a paint that has UV inhibitors to protect the shakes from fading and discolouration due to sun exposure.
