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You should restain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and ensure maximum protection. The precise frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, the siding's exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the condition of the wood.

Homeowners in harsh climates with high humidity and significant direct sunlight should plan on restaining every three years, while those in milder locations can wait up to seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh environments, consider using an opaque stain.

If you're looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, vinyl or aluminum siding are options to consider. Although their installation cost may be higher, they don't require as much upkeep over time, which can provide more value, especially in areas with excessive rainfall or high humidity.

While any dark color of vinyl is likely to fade, dark red and dark brown vinyl tend to fade faster and more noticeably compared with other dark colors. White is the color least likely to fade, but it will show stains, mildew, and dirt more prominently than darker colors.

Some homeowners use caulk on the edges of clapboard siding to help seal it. However, this method invites new problems. With so many gaps sealed, clapboard siding is often unable to drain properly and moisture from rain or other sources can build up inside. This can lead to rot and other issues over time. When repairing clapboards, it’s best to avoid caulking the final product. The exception is trim around windows and doors, which should be caulked to avoid moisture problems.

You cannot install clapboard siding on a bare, unprepared surface. Clapboard siding requires a clean, sturdy base made from plywood or similar materials, sometimes called backerboard. Then, it needs an underlayment or sheathing, a moisture membrane to help protect the exterior wall.

Note that sometimes clapboard siding is caulked as it’s installed for additional protection. We don’t suggest this: Caulking the siding can trap moisture inside the clapboards and lead to moisture damage over time. The siding needs some space to “breathe,” especially in rainy weather.