Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 3/9/2008

Question
It has taken me 3 years to build my new home in upstate New York. The exterior of the house is all cedar shakes and has been applied over the period of three years, the most recent walls to an addition within the last month. There has been no finish applied on any of it. The earlier part has lost much of its original golden color, especially at the bottom where therain splashes back up against the wood.

What can I do to even out the coloration and then protect the wood? I'd love to restore that golden color if possible rather than stain or paint.

Answer
Len,

Unfortunately, your options at this point are stain or paint.  The most authoritative source on the topic, the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (http://www.wrcla.org/), recommends treating new cedar immediately, rather than allowing it any prolonged exposure to UV and moisture.  This is the recommendation even if you intend to paint it, as the wood starts to break down and won't hold a finish as successfully.  In some climates untreated shakes weather over time to an attractive patina, however the WRCLA does not recommend this.  

To my knowledge, your best bet at this point for a "natural look" is to apply a golden semi-transparent stain.  This will require reapplication in 3-5 years, and depending how uneven the color is now, may or may not blend it all together visually.  A solid stain would provide full, uniform coverage but would hide the natural variations in the wood.

I suggest that you talk to a local painting professional for your best options.

Good luck. - Ted