I recntly had a casement window replaced ( due to storm damage ). On reviewing the contractor's work, I saw he did not caulk around the window frame. His response was 1) none of he other windows in the house ( vinyl clad double-hung insulated windows ) were caulked, and 2) You don't want to caulk windows w/ my rough-sawn painted cedar clapboard siding, as this would trap moisture behind the siding. I think this is a load, and he just doesn't want to do the work. Is there any validity to his second argument?

In my 30+ years in construction I have never installed a window, nor has any of my sub-contractors installed any, without caulking around the exterior. The existing windows could be caulked behind the wood trim around the windows and not visible but it should still be sealed.

Glenn