We built this house with metal windows that never needed painting, and with cedar siding that was sealed to keep the water out. “I’ll never have to paint the house!” I thought. Well, not quite.
While it’s true the doors and windows are black forever, the cedar is another story. What I didn’t know is that cedar has natural tannins that, with sun and rain, migrate to the surface of the wood and turn dark. Every so often, the wood has to be sprayed with a special soap, washed, and then re-sealed.
It had been five years since we last washed the house. That’s too long, but it’s such an awful job—ladders and scaffolding, spraying and power-washing—that I kept muttering, “Next year.”
But this was the year.
We hired some help this time, and in just a few days we had the place washed and ready for sealing. Because the wood was getting old, we used a sealer with a touch of stain that also penetrates and protects. The result is a soft, reddish glow that we really love.
So—Copper House has its winter coat on. One more way we strive to keep this place at its beautiful best for our many guests.
Hope to see you here soon.
New Tree Sculptures at Copper House