hey guys  a couple of qus about the cedar siding, which looks great. 

1. does it need to be sealed or can you let it get a weathered patina?   If it does need to be sealed, how often in a southern state in full south sun.

2. does is need to be installed as a rain screen?

thanks

Cedar is one of those woods with a natural ability to endure weather longer I've always read/heard (though obviously not forever). That's why you see many houses with the plain cedar weathered until grey in color. I much prefer cedar in an amberish hue, so I would stain/seal it.

My research on rainscreens tells me that it is very regional. It is hardly used here in Michigan. Although I wonder if that is more, because builders are cheap. We don't have the rain that some states do, so I doubt it is that absolute here. I will do it on my home just because it makes sense. It boils down to overall durability. If you plan to build a house that will last beyond the typical American ~50years, then by all means. I think that is why it isn't done in my neck of the woods (most homes in America are not built as well as in places where there is a need for the house to endure... like Western Europe).

Vinyl is quite prolific here and doesn't need it as much since it has a pseudo rain screen inherently. The CFB lap siding is gaining here (due to vinyl's inherent low-rent aesthetic), but I never see it applied over furrings either.

I do remember reading somewhere that cedar's inherent resin has a negative effect on house wraps (not building paper, but Tyvek and such). You might want to question/research that.