There are a variety of paints, solid stains, penetrating stains and preservative treatments available for Certi-Label™ Western Red Cedar (WRC) and Alaskan Yellow Cedar (AYC) products. Certi-Label™ products are available pre-finished, (pre-primed or pre-stained) and natural (unfinished).

Note: Check with the finish manufacturer of the finish products that you desire to apply to the Certi-Label™ shakes or shingles for the finish manufacturer recommendations of species compatibility with their particular products and or chemistry.

Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar products manufactured by Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau Members are labeled with the “Certi” brand name.

Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar are rated with a category of ‘I' (I, best; ‘V' worst) by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory for their painting and finishing characteristics. (Finishes for Exterior Wood p.2 -R.S. Williams, Mark T Knabe, William C. Feist-USDA Forest Products Laboratory).

Wood should be acclimatized before applying a finish or coating. On the jobsite, keep the wood dry and (if possible) out of the elements. Place the product off the ground and under cover. If storing over new concrete (such as a freshly poured concrete garage) or over damp ground, place a moisture barrier under the product. Allow air to circulate freely around the product. The time needed for a wood product to acclimatize will vary with the moisture content of the product.

There are five types of finishes for WRC and AYC
  1. Transparent (Penetrating)
  2. Semi-Transparent (Penetrating)
  3. Bleaching Oil (Weathering stain) (Penetrating)
    Note : According to the USDA Forest Products laboratory, when applying ‘penetrating' type products, it is advantageous to apply liberal amounts of the solution to all surfaces of the wood after the wood has achieved equilibrium and prior to installation of the products.
  4. Solid color stain (film forming)
  5. Paint (film forming)
Each type of finish has its own features and durability expectancy
  • Water repellants 6-12 months
  • Clear water repellant preservatives 1-2 years
  • Pigmented water repellant preservatives 2-3 years
  • Solid Color stain 3-8 years
  • Paint 7-10 years
(Source: USDA Forest Product Laboratory ‘The finish line-paint, stain, varnish or preservative? It's your choice')

Natural finishes (Saw textured and split surfaces)
  • Most difficult to maintain
  • Shortest service life
  • Better products include:
    • Penetrating oil based coating
    • Good chemistry brands contain mold and mildew inhibitors
    • UV filters
Semi transparent (Saw textured and split surfaces)
  • Oil based in cooler northern climates
  • Latex based in hot, humid southern climates
  • Added pigment provides some UV protection which improves service life over transparent stains
  • Good chemistry brands contain mold and mildew inhibitors
Bleaching Oil (Weathering stain) (Saw textured and split surfaces)
  • For the weathered aged look
  • Chemistry of this type of finish provides a uniform weathered appearance
  • Good chemistry brands contain oil based water repellants for wood protection
  • Good chemistry brands contain mold and mildew inhibitors
Solid color stains (Smooth, Saw textured and split surfaces)
  • Use and alkyd oil stain blocking primer on all surfaces prior to installation of shake or shingle
  • 100% acrylic latex solid color stains are recommended
  • Good chemistry products
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Have good color retention
  • Have good mold and mildew resistance
Paint systems (Smooth, Saw textured and split surfaces)
  • Best for long term service life
  • Use and alkyd oil stain blocking primer on all surfaces prior to installation of shake or shingle
  • 100% Acrylic latex paints are recommended
  • Good chemistry products
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Have good color retention
  • Have good mold and mildew resistance
  • Paint manufacturers have stated paint systems are applied over properly installed shakes and shingles using alkyd oil based stain blocking primer and two coats can provide a service of 12-15 years. Check with the paint manufacturer for any warranties that may be available.
Coatings technology is rapidly changing. Latex based penetrating stains, solid color stains, solid color stain & paint products are evolving. Further information on coatings may be researched at www.fpl.fs.fed.us. Click on ‘FAQ' link and then click on painting & finishing fact sheets link.

Disclaimer:The CSSB provides this information as a service. We do not guarantee its accuracy, it is intended to be a source of general information only. If you would like more information please contact our office.