Siding, Soffits, and Trim
Pre-primed Cedar Trim Key to Longevity
Pre-priming soffits, trim and facia prevents wood from delaminating and keeps paint looking like new for MUCH longer.
Unfortunately, most builders do not use pre-primed trim, soffits and facia.
Moisture in wood leads to paint peeling, and causes boards to warp and eventually rot. Raw wood wicks moisture for months during/after construction until temperatures allow for the house to be painted. Done right, cedar soffits, fascia, corners and window trim must be primed on all sides prior to installation. Factory-primed cedar has a deep-penetrating layer of protection on each side of the board that protects the cedar until the home can be painted. This higher-quality finish will hold paint longer and have a more uniform appearance.
Primed cedar is easy to spot during construction, but you’ll be hard pressed to find many builders who are taking this extra step. And it’ll show in about three years when all of the cedar trim needs to be painted again. Or a few years after than when it must be replaced altogether.
Other Small, but Important Details
- Before the cedar trim is installed around a window, a bead of caulk should be placed against the aluminum cladding to create a weather-tight joint.
- Tar paper placed under the seams on siding helps prevent water from reaching the Tyvek.
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