How to Seal Rough Cut Lumber Siding

How to Seal Rough Cut Lumber Siding
Written By
Jackie Johnson
Jackie Johnson
Published: Mar 9, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Some find the look of weathered wood attractive, and keeping the wood sealed over time prolongs the life of the wood and protects it against rot caused by humidity or rain.

Things You Will Need

  • Exterior wood sealer
  • Thick rollers
  • Trim brushes (optional)
  • Paint roller tray
  • Clean rags
  • Saw horses (optional)
  • Wood clamps (optional)

Existing Siding

  1. Clean the exterior of the building by sweeping off the siding with a broom or brush. Exterior sealers penetrate the wood, so you do not need an immaculate surface, unlike painting.

  2. Find a roller that measures about the same width of the siding to help conserve sealer and avoid drips on the ground.

  3. Pour 1 to 2 inches of sealer into the roller tray. Saturate the roller and apply the sealer to the siding. It may be faster to seal one side or section of the building at a time, since you will not have to move the equipment as much.

  4. Saturate the trim brush with sealer and use it to seal the exposed edges of the rough-cut siding.

New Siding

  1. Lay the siding out on sawhorses or on a horizontal surface to make applying the sealer easier. Butt the siding next to each other so you can cover more than one piece of siding at a time with the sealer. Using a standard-sized roller instead of a short roller speeds the process of applying the sealer.

  2. Pour the sealer into the roller tray, saturate the roller and apply to the siding material.

  3. Stand the siding on its edge after it dries and clamp the pieces together to keep them upright. Apply the sealer to the bottom edge of the siding and remove the clamps once you have coated the edges. Wipe away any drips with a soft, lint-free cloth. Repeat the process to seal the top of the siding and the ends.

The Drip Cap

  • Using rough-cut lumber as a siding material can be an affordable way to side a building.
  • Some find the look of weathered wood attractive, and keeping the wood sealed over time prolongs the life of the wood and protects it against rot caused by humidity or rain.
  • Saturate the roller and apply the sealer to the siding.
  • Lay the siding out on sawhorses or on a horizontal surface to make applying the sealer easier.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

Jackie Johnson

Jackie Johnson is a published writer and professional blogger, and has a degree in English from Arizona State University. Her background in real estate analysis prepared her for objective thinking, researching and writing.

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