Many Cedar homeowners fall in love with the Scandinavian silvered look – minimalist, clean, with a silver sheen that accentuates the beauty of the timber and the natural surroundings.
But when it comes to achieving this look, there is a common misconception that all you need to do is leave the Cedar and silvering will happen naturally.
Unfortunately, this is not true, at least in the New Zealand climate, and timber that is left to silver will eventually turn unsightly.
In this article we will cover what silvering is, how you can silver your Cedar safely while still protecting the timber, and some DIY tips for maintaining the silver look of your Cedar until you are ready to oil.
To find out more, read the full article, or watch the video below for a quick summary.
Is Silvering Bad for Cedar?
Without taking the location and climate into consideration, silvering itself is not bad for the timber. Silvering is caused by exposure to UV rays, which fray and loosen the top cells of the Cedar and cause the surface to become bleached.
In colder climates this isn’t a problem as the lower temperatures kill off the bacteria, retaining the beautiful, silvered look. But in a warm and wet climate such as ours, bacteria and mould will get caught in the roughened surface, and quickly turn the Cedar black.
Even if the mould and bacteria are removed, the natural silvering effect will often look patchy and uneven, detracting from the natural beauty of the timber.
Silvering Cedar the Right Way
So, is there any way to have the silver look you love, while still protecting your cladding? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Wood-X is a deep penetrating wood oil developed with Resene. It comes in a range of exciting colours – from rich reds and bush greens to a daring indigo blue – and a whole range of wood-protecting silvers. Applying a silver-tinted oil will protect your timber from the harsh UV rays, allow it to silver more quickly and give a more consistent silver look.
After applying the silver-tinted oil, you will need to follow a regular maintenance schedule to keep your Cedar looking its best. We recommend a soft wash every year, followed by recoating exposed areas every 2-3 summers.
DIY Silvering Maintenance
If you are not ready to oil your cladding quite just yet, a more affordable solution is to spray your house with a slow-acting mould and fungal killer such as Wet and Forget. This will remove the organic bacteria from the surface, but it will not replenish the natural oils of the Cedar or protect it against splitting and cupping in the future.
If you do not plan on oiling or staining your house, another option is to leave the silvering on as it provides natural protection to the layer below it. You can then use a slow-acting mould and fungal killer to keep it looking clean. The downside to this approach is that the timber will eventually look aged and tired.
Get Professional Advice You Can Trust
Ultimately, the best approach for protecting your cladding AND getting the silvered look is to oil your Cedar with a silver tinted oil. If you are unsure about the best approach and would like to talk with an expert, call us on 0800 298 298.
There is no obligation and our goal is always to look after the best interests of our customers over the lifecycle of their homes.
We love Cedar and are always happy to help!
