Cedar Siding Stain on a 1910 Renovated Farmhouse in Pequannock NJ

This one took some patience to share, but we're glad we waited until it was truly done. A renovated 1910 farmhouse with cedar siding, heavy timber framing, and a mix of natural stone - it's the kind of job that demands the right product and a careful hand. We used Sikkens for the cedar siding and Benjamin Moore Arborcoat on the wood trim and timber elements throughout the exterior.

Old homes like this one have a lot going on. You've got raw cedar siding sitting next to freshly cut timber posts, pergola framing, balcony railings, and window surrounds - all wood, all exposed, all needing protection. The wrong stain choice here and everything looks muddy or mismatched. Sikkens penetrates deep into the wood grain rather than sitting on top, which is exactly what you want on cedar. It holds up against the elements and keeps that natural wood look intact over time.

The Arborcoat came in on the trim and framing work. That product is a Benjamin Moore exterior stain that's built for vertical wood surfaces - it resists mildew, handles UV exposure well, and stays flexible through freeze-thaw cycles. Here in Morris County and Passaic County, that last part matters. Winters are rough on exterior wood, and a stain that cracks or peels by spring is money wasted.

What makes this farmhouse work as a finished exterior is how all the materials talk to each other. The warm cedar tone from the Sikkens ties together the timber structure, the balcony, and the roofline trim. The natural stone base grounds the whole thing. It's a cohesive look - and on a house this old with this many moving parts, that doesn't happen by accident. It takes product knowledge and consistent application across every surface.

Jobs like this one in Pequannock are why we take our time with product selection before we ever pick up a brush. Not every home calls for the same stain. Getting that right upfront is the difference between a finish that holds and one that needs redoing in two years.