Anyone who is working with wood that is going to be subjected to the forces of nature needs to know how to protect it.
Siding, porches, decks, railings...
they all need some extra work to keep them lasting as long as you want them to.
Here are a few ways that I prepare any exterior wood projects to assure their long life.
1.
No Flat Surfaces - A flat surface will allow water to pool on the wood.
Pooling water will cause rot quicker than anything.
So when you are planning out your project try to avoid any flat surfaces.
Railings should be rounded or sloped to prevent standing water.
And decks or porches should also have a very slight slope away from the house so they will shed water properly.
Slope any floors just enough to break the bubble line on a level.
2.
Keep Wood Away From the Ground - Any wood should be kept at least 6 inches away from the ground.
This will allow the wood to dry out much faster after a rain and also prevent the wood from acting like a sponge to any moisture in the dirt.
The same goes for cement or masonry.
Unless the wood is pressure treated you should keep it from making direct contact.
3.
Prime Everything - If you're planning on painting your project then you need to prime every single part of the wood.
I recommend a good oil-based primer since they soak into the wood as opposed to a latex primer which sits on top.
Just make sure that you prime the pieces before you assemble them.
Every inch (including any cuts and especially the ends) needs to be primed not just the visible pieces.
4.
Use Rot Resistant Woods - Some woods do better outdoors than others.
Tropical hardwoods, though expensive, are extremely long-lasting and resistant to insects and rot.
Other woods like Western Red Cedar and Cypress are affordable choices that will extend the life of your project too.
Whatever you decide, pick the most resistant wood you can afford.
5.
Give It Air - Air circulation is probably the most important aspect of them all.
Even if your wood isn't primed and painted it will still survive for a long time if it can breathe.
Designing your projects so that there is air space around as much of the wood as possible allows the wood to get wet and dry without rotting.
Space deck boards an 1/8" so that they can shed water and use a rain screen behind siding.
If you put these ideas into practice you'll have some very long-lasting projects.
And getting an extra 10 or 20 years of life out of your deck or siding can really save you money and frustration.