Los Angeles Cedar Siding

When it comes to classic building materials, you can't do much better than wood; it's been around since people started building, and has done a pretty impressive job of never going out of style. There are several options available for anyone looking to improve the look of their home's exterior, and solid wood cedar shake siding is one of these. Cedar siding looks great, and gives a home a certain rustic charm that is unique and hard to ignore. While it has certain physical drawbacks in many environments, in the generally sunny and consistent climate of Los Angeles, cedar siding is a viable option for your home's cladding.

What Is "Shake" Siding?
A "shake" is basically a large, rustic looking shingle used in roofing or as a siding material. Like shingles, there are several different sizes and styles of shake siding on the market. This material was once very common, but in many regions its popularity has dwindled. Newer materials like aluminum and vinyl siding are far better suited for use in many scenarios, and are also less expensive. However, if you think your southern California home would look just right covered in cedar siding, Los Angeles residents have a leg up on the rest of the country when using this material.

Performance of Cedar Siding in Los Angeles
In some parts of the country, cedar shake siding might be more trouble than it's worth. People in places that are subjected to heavy moisture or extreme annual temperature changes will find that any kind of outdoor wood will need a lot of attention to reach its full life expectancy. There is naturally-occurring oil in the wood of a cedar tree that makes boards cut from it better able to weather conditions that would cause other species of wood to rot or warp; additionally, this same substance is a natural bug repellant, so cedar is also less prone to insect damage. While this natural oil makes it a very good choice for outdoor use, it can still have problems with premature aging in less than optimal conditions.

In Los Angeles, cedar shake siding is likely to last quite some time without experiencing the problems it would have in less stable environments. There will be little worry of excess moisture causing bowing or warping, and the possibility of cracks caused by exposure to extremely low temperature is greatly reduced. This, coupled with cedar's natural hardiness in outdoor settings, makes shake siding a much better fit for L.A. than for most other areas in the U.S.

Wood siding looks good and is compatible with southern California's climate, but it also provides better insulation than vinyl or aluminum. Sure, L.A. weather is pretty bearable most of the time, but when the need arises to turn on the heater or crank up the A.C., cedar will reduce heat transfer and keep the temperature indoors more consistent, while also using less energy.

Prices of Los Angeles Cedar Shake Siding
Depending on the size of your home, installing new siding can get to be a very expensive job. In Los Angeles, cedar siding should be expected to cost more than vinyl or aluminum, less than stone or brick, and about the same as fiber cement siding. The national average cost for installing cedar shake is around $6,500, but, as with many other things, L.A. residents can expect a similar job to cost more.