Philadelphia Cedar Siding

Before the invention of aluminum (and then vinyl) siding, the exteriors of American homes saw a whole lot of brick and wood. These natural materials, though rather expensive in most cases, are still used today when a homeowner wants their house to have a rustic and classical appeal. In Philadelphia, cedar shake siding has never been the most popular choice (especially when you compare it to the vast amount of brick). Cedar shake, however, still has a look that is quite unique and well worth the effort it takes to examine its pros and cons.

Drawbacks of Cedar Shake Siding in Philadelphia
Just to nip any confusion in the bud, "shake" is pretty much a long, thickly cut shingle, and just like wooden shingles, cedar shake comes in varying degrees of quality dependent on the part of the tree it is made from (the fewer knots a shake or shingle contains, the higher the quality). There are reasons why, in Philadelphia, cedar shake siding is not as common as other forms of cladding.

First off, exterior wood is not especially well suited to Philadelphia's climate. With sub-freezing and icy conditions in the winter, and high temperatures and humidity in the summer, wood, in general, has a more difficult time holding up than many other materials. Due to the vast changes in weather that are an annual tradition in Philadelphia, cedar siding (like any outdoor wood) will be prone to swelling, contracting, and, over time, splitting and cracking.

Cedar siding, in Philadelphia, will most likely turn out to be one of the more expensive choices for the outside of your home. Its life expectancy is less than that of aluminum and vinyl siding, and brick or stone will outlast cedar by many years. Though the initial expense of cedar siding might not seem like too much more than the more popular vinyl, the upkeep it requires over its shorter life-span will most likely make it a more expensive choice in the long run.

Philadelphia Cedar Siding Benefits
Now that those negatives are out of the way, cedar siding does have some really good points when compared to other materials. Cedar, though not impervious to the weather conditions of southeastern PA, contains a natural chemical that makes it more resistant to moisture than other wood species. Though it will develop problems over time (especially if not well maintained), cedar is probably better suited to Philadelphia's conditions than any other wood. This same chemical also makes cedar an unattractive place for bugs to hang out, which, when we're talking wood, is a highly attractive quality, indeed!

Cedar siding, due to the large cell structure of the wood, is also a better insulator than vinyl or metal. This means that it will naturally help keep your home warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer.

Speaking of highly attractive, the biggest benefit of cedar siding in Philadelphia (or, presumably anywhere else) is its appearance. Natural wood just looks good, so very few settings are wood inappropriate. It can be stained or painted, but many people like to leave cedar shake untreated so it develops a natural, weathered beauty. If you're the kind of person who doesn't mind a bit of maintenance every year, and you like the natural good looks of genuine wood, you won't go wrong with cedar siding.

Prices of Philadelphia Cedar Siding
Nationally, cedar siding costs about $6,500 to install. This is far less than the cost of other natural materials such as brick or stone. Philadelphia residents lucky enough to have a lake house or cabin outside of town might consider cedar siding. Nowhere does wood siding look better than in a natural setting. For a smaller job outside of the city, the cost will, inevitably, be significantly less.

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