Wood Siding Protection That Lasts 10+ Years, Not 2-3

Stop watching your paint peel. Get moisture-tested wood, tannin-blocking primers, and a finish that actually holds.

Professional wood siding painting in Baldwin County
Expert wood siding protection — Baldwin County

Tired of repainting every 3-4 years? Most contractors skip moisture testing, use cheap latex primers on cedar, and don't understand tannin bleed-through. We specialize in wood siding longevity—proper prep, proper materials, proper results.

💧 Moisture Testing
🛌 Tannin Blocking
🔨 Oil-Based Primers
🛠 Rot Repair
✅ 10+ Year Lifespan
Free Wood Siding Assessment Text Photos for Quote

Why Your Cedar Paint Keeps Peeling

Four common failures that destroy wood siding paint jobs in 2-3 years. We prevent all of them.

💧
Moisture Too High
Contractor paints wood at 18-20% moisture. Paint traps water inside—pushes paint off from within.
Our fix: Moisture meter testing. Must be <15% before priming.
🍃
Wrong Primer
Cheap latex primer can't block cedar tannins. Brown stains bleed through within months.
Our fix: Oil-based stain blocker (Zinsser Cover Stain).
☀
Weathered Wood
UV-degraded wood surface is powdery. Paint has nothing solid to bond to.
Our fix: Sand to fresh wood, prime immediately.
🚢
Water Entry Points
Missing caulk, overflowing gutters, no drip edge. Water gets behind paint.
Our fix: Seal all gaps before painting.

Select Your Wood Type

Each species has different tannin content, porosity, and moisture behavior. We adjust accordingly.

Cedar Siding

The most common wood siding in our area. Beautiful, naturally rot-resistant—but notorious for paint failures when done wrong.

Rot-Resistant High Tannins Very Porous Lightweight
Required Primer: Oil-based stain blocker (Zinsser Cover Stain) or water-based tannin blocker (Kem Aqua 5431). NO exceptions.

Topcoat: 100% acrylic latex (Duration, Emerald)

Coats: 1 primer + 2 topcoats

Critical: Test moisture—must be under 15%

✅ Expected lifespan: 7-10 years

Paint vs. Stain: Which Lasts Longer?

The honest breakdown. Paint lasts longer but peels. Stain fades but recoats easier. Choose based on your priorities.

100% Acrylic Paint

Longevity 7-10 years
Failure Mode Peels, chips, cracks
Recoat Prep Extensive (scrape, sand)
Color Options Unlimited
Moisture Handling Traps if not sealed right
Best For
  • Maximum longevity (7-10 years)
  • Specific non-wood colors
  • Already-painted siding
  • Moderate humidity climates

Solid Stain

Longevity 3-7 years
Failure Mode Fades gradually
Recoat Prep Moderate (clean, light sand)
Color Options Wood tones + solids
Moisture Handling Breathes—allows escape
Best For
  • Natural wood grain showing
  • High-humidity coastal areas
  • New, unfinished cedar
  • Low-maintenance touch-ups
Our recommendation: For new cedar siding in coastal Alabama, we often recommend solid stain—it breathes better in humidity and is easier to maintain. For existing painted siding, we paint (can't stain over paint without stripping).

8 Questions to Vet Your Wood Siding Contractor

Ask these questions before hiring. If they can't answer confidently, they're cutting corners.

Good answer: "Yes, we use a moisture meter. We only paint wood below 15% moisture content. If it's higher, we let it dry or use fans."
Red flag: "We just spray and go" or "If it looks dry, it's fine."

Why it matters: Painting wet wood = guaranteed failure in 2-3 years.

Good answer: "Oil-based stain blocker like Zinsser Cover Stain or Sherwin-Williams ProBlock to prevent tannin bleed."
Red flag: "Kilz or Zinsser 123" (NOT tannin blockers) or "Paint-and-primer-in-one" (doesn't exist for wood siding).

Why it matters: Wrong primer = brown stains appear within weeks/months.

Good answer: "We pressure wash to remove dirt, then hand-scrape all loose/peeling paint, then sand to feather edges smooth."
Red flag: "We pressure wash at 3,000 PSI to blast off loose paint." (This damages wood fibers.)

Why it matters: Pressure washing alone doesn't remove adhered-but-failing paint.

Good answer: "We remove old, cracked caulk. Re-caulk all seams, trim, corners with elastomeric caulk. Let it cure 24 hours before priming."
Red flag: "We caulk over old caulk" or "We caulk after painting."

Why it matters: Caulk goes UNDER paint so it's sealed. Bad caulking = water intrusion.

Good answer: "All bare wood gets spot-primed with oil-based primer. Then we apply two topcoats."
Red flag: "Our paint is self-priming, so we just paint it all the same."

Why it matters: Bare wood MUST be primed. Topcoat alone soaks in and fails quickly.

Good answer: "Sherwin-Williams Duration or Emerald (100% acrylic latex)" or "Benjamin Moore Aura or Regal."
Red flag: "Contractor-grade from Home Depot" or "Whatever's cheapest that week."

Why it matters: Premium paint lasts 7-10 years. Cheap paint lasts 3-5.

Good answer: "We cover all landscaping with drop cloths. Tape off windows and trim. Use low-pressure spray or brush/roll to avoid overspray."
Red flag: "We'll be careful."

Why it matters: Professionalism and respect for your property.

Good answer: "2-year workmanship warranty. If paint peels due to our application, we fix it free."
Red flag: "No warranty. Paint should last, but if it doesn't, that's on you."

Why it matters: Contractor confidence in their work = warranty.

How Long Will Your Paint Job Actually Last?

Prep quality determines 60% of longevity. Here's the honest breakdown.

Scenario Prep Quality Expected Lifespan
Best-case (everything done right) Excellent prep, oil primer, premium paint, 2 coats 10-15 years
Good application Proper prep, premium paint 7-10 years
Average application Adequate prep, mid-grade paint 5-7 years
Poor application Minimal prep, cheap paint 3-5 years
DIY nightmare Painted wet wood, no primer 1-3 years

We do it the best-case way. 10+ year lifespan guaranteed.

Our Wood Siding Process

The 60% that matters most: prep. Here's exactly what we do.

1

Assessment

Moisture test, rot inspection, identify wood species.

2

Power Wash

Low pressure (1,500 PSI). Let dry 48-72 hours to <15% moisture.

3

Scrape & Sand

Hand-scrape loose paint. Feather edges. Remove dead wood.

4

Repair & Caulk

Replace rotted boards. Re-caulk all seams. 24hr cure.

5

Prime

Oil-based tannin blocker on bare wood and repairs.

6

Paint (2 Coats)

Duration/Emerald. Proper film thickness. Inspect & touch-up.

Wood Siding FAQ

What Wood Siding Customers Say

Our cedar siding was peeling after just 3 years. Paint Doctors tested moisture, replaced 8 rotted boards, used oil primer, and now 5 years later it still looks perfect. Best investment ever.
Michael T. Fairhope • 5+ years holding
They explained tannin bleed-through in detail and used the right primer. No brown stains, no peeling. Finally found a contractor who knows wood.
Sarah L. Daphne • Cedar Siding
Our 1940s board-and-batten home needed serious prep work. Paint Doctors spent 3 days scraping and repairing before painting. The result? Looks brand new and has held up beautifully for 7 years.
John R. Spanish Fort • 7 years holding

Ready to Protect Your Wood Siding?

Stop repainting every 3-4 years because contractors cut corners. Get a paint job that lasts 10+ years with proper moisture testing, tannin-blocking primers, and expert application.

Call (251) 423-5855 Text Photos for Quote

Free assessment. Moisture testing. Honest recommendations.

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