We’ll unpack the ins and outs of cedar maintenance in New Zealand, which will include;
So, at the end of this guide, you’ll have the confidence to properly maintain your cedar cladding and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
Cedar, or Western Red Cedar, which is what is meant by ‘cedar’ in New Zealand, is a premium, soft timber that’s durable, beautiful, and resistant to insects and rot. But that doesn’t make it completely indestructible. Without regular maintenance, your cedar cladding will eventually;
A regular maintenance schedule will help cedar last for years.
New cedar cladding: For newly-installed cedar cladding, apply a high-quality wood oil like Dryden WoodOil, which is a clear, water-repellant, migrating oil that helps protect the timber from the inside out.
If you want to add colour to your cedar cladding, add Dryden Colourtone+, which would also give it enhanced UV protection.
After one year: We highly recommend giving your cedar cladding an annual soft wash which means just washing it down gently with a garden hose. If there is a bit of dirt, gently wash it off with a bit of detergent.
After two or three years: Re-apply Dryden WoodOil with or without Dryden Colourtone+ as needed, focusing on areas where the colour has faded.
Ongoing maintenance: Continue inspecting, cleaning, and reapplying Dryden WoodOil with or without Dryden Colourtone+ every two-to-three years or as needed, based on your cedar cladding’s appearance and condition.
Silvering – This happens when coloured timber extractives are washed out (leaching), and the cedar structures get damaged by sunlight (photodegradation).
Dryden WoodOil helps cedar maintain a grey look, so it may not mean that your cladding needs re-oiling or coating in this specific case. Silvering only indicates the need for coating and colour when you want to maintain a natural or stained look.
As a simple answer, what we can say is that if you want a clear/transparent oil to maintain your cedar’s natural colour, go for Dryden WoodOil. If you want more colour and enhanced UV protection, add Dryden Colourtone+ to Dryden WoodOil.
At Dryden, we often get asked whether it’s better to oil or stain cedar cladding, and it’s a tough question to answer. Instead, let’s reframe it to be more specific: should I use oil or a traditional stain on cedar? In our terms, staining means adding colour. So, when you use a combo of Dryden WoodOil + Colourtone+, you’re essentially staining the timber. This is why it comes down to your preference for the look and finish you want on your cedar cladding.
In summary, cedar cladding requires maintenance and regular upkeep to keep it looking great and last for a long time. By using Dryden WoodOil or Dryden Colourtone+ added to Dryden WoodOil, you can help extend the life of your cedar cladding by preserving its natural finish and providing protection from UV rays, rain, snow, hail and wind damage.
Part of your cedar maintenance journey is to give annual soft washes and follow it up with Dryden SurfaceCleaner or Dryden LiquidTimberClean for advanced restoration.
For more information on how to maintain your cedar cladding, contact Dryden: we would be more than happy to help!
Adding colour to your exteriors is easy and straightforward with Dryden Colourtone+, which comes with over 37 shades to choose from. It helps enhance cedar cladding’s UV protection while complementing your timber’s character and colour without hiding the grain.
*Will silver as product weathers overtime
Dryden WoodOil colours and finishes shown here on Western Red Cedar are representative only. The colour you choose and the amount of oil applied may change the final achieved colour.
