I recently encountered a question about which wood siding requires less maintenance and offers better protection from moisture in a residential project. I was torn between Cedar and Redwood. The correct answer is Redwood. However, I thought Cedar is also known for its natural resistance to moisture, rot, and insects, making it a popular choice for wood siding. Is this incorrect? What makes Redwood a better choice?
Welcome to the ARE Community, @gzdeyildirimm! You are correct in that Cedar has similar benefits and is therefore, also a popular option for wood siding. However, Redwood is typically a better choice because it has higher moisture resistance, lower maintenance demands, and slightly longer durability.
This is a great example selecting the best correct answer amongst the choices provided. You will often find that one or more alternative answers may appear “correct” on the ARE, but it is important to provide the most correct answer for the specific question at hand. Be sure that you read the prompt carefully, as phrases like “less maintenance” or “better protection from moisture” are the key aspects that would point you towards Redwood over Cedar.
Hope this helps!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator
Black Spectacles