Cedar Decking: Wood Is Good

Cedar is a truly remarkable material for use in alends it an organic warmth and general appeal that
variety of building products, including (or perhapscan easily be translated to your decking projects.
especially) decking lumber. This magnificent softwoodCedar for use as decking
lends something of the Pacific Northwest to theCarrying these benefits over specifically for the
exteriors of many residences and offices, with warmpurposes of building a deck, cedar does not contain
cinnamon tones that age gracefully to a seasonedmany of the resins or pitch found in other types of
silver. Apart from being attractive, with a rusticwood. This means that applying finish is much easier,
beauty that is unparalleled, cedar has many naturalwhich means further protection against the elements.
properties that give it a built-in resistance to theCedar is resilient enough to discourage the corrosion
ravages of the elements as well as attack by insects.of decking fasteners, a problem that often leads to
As such, cedar as a decking material has become oneleeching of rust into a pressure-treated deck. Cedar is
of the most popular choices when planning andurable, and yet it is also lightweight, adding another
exterior addition to a property. Red cedar in particularlevel of easy workability when building your deck.
represents a robust choice in durable and visuallyOnce completed, your deck will retain the natural feel
striking materials for the kind of decking that adds alland look that is reminiscent of the beauty of the
kinds of value to any given exterior.Pacific Northwest, along with the practical benefits of
Cedar is a resilient, reliable building materialheat insulation (making for a cooler walking surface
Red Cedar for use in decking and in other buildingthan many other wood decks), sound absorption, and
products is a species native to the coastal regions ofdimensional stability that makes it a structural benefit
the Pacific Northwest. The wood itself is naturallyto the rest of your property.
imbued with a high resistance to UV rays, moisture,Rich and distinguished red cedar decking
and insect damage due to the presence of certainThe color of cedar is definite benefit to any decking
chemicals that protect it from degeneration. This isproject, and one which presents a number of options
the reason why the species has thrived in such awhen planning one. When cedar is milled, the color
moisture-heavy environment. These attributes areranges from amber to a pinkish hue, taken as it is
also a key reason as to why red cedar has been sofrom the heartwood of the species. By the time it
heavily relied upon as tools and building materials sinceships, ready for use as decking lumber, it has
before the area was settled by Europeans. Withmatured to a cinnamon reddish-brown. As the cedar
these strengths in mind, red cedar is also aages, the color changes yet again; this time to a
softwood, making it very easy to work with. Itsdistinguished silvery gray, if it has not been stained.
look, its natural protection against the elements, andBut if you choose to stain, the possibilities are even
even the pleasant scent that is associated with it,wider!