Cedar Trim on 3 Season Porch - finish and spacing boards

[Jeff Bednar]

Hello,


I am about to trim out my screen porch (in Wisconsin, full temp and humidity fluctuations from 100 to -30). I milled some clear cedar to use, and the boards are generally 3/4" x 3"x lengths of 8-12 feet. Two questions....


1. Do I need to leave room for expansion at the butt joints? I know cedar is generally more stable, but do I need to leave 1/16th on the ends?


2. This is an area that will receive virtually no direct sunlight. What might you suggest if I want to maintain that nice appearance of the red cedar vs letting it go gray.


Thanks in advanced.

[Jim Becker]

Any expansion is going to be across the grain; not so much with the length. Even in shade, the wood will eventually grey out from oxidation and 'bouncing' UV. It will take longer there, however, with no direct sunlight. Long-term maintaining of the non-grey coloration will require occasional refreshing of the wood surface.