Rob Jones

Cedar Decking: Wood Is Good



Posted: Monday, May 15, 2006

by
BuildDirect

Learn about where red cedar comes from, why red cedar is naturally suited as a building material, what red cedar looks like at various stages, why cedar is perfect for decking




Cedar is a truly remarkable material for use in a variety of building products, including (or perhaps especially) decking lumber. This magnificent softwood lends something of the Pacific Northwest to the exteriors of many residences and offices, with warm cinnamon tones that age gracefully to a seasoned silver. Apart from being attractive, with a rustic beauty that is unparalleled, cedar has many natural properties that give it a built-in resistance to the ravages of the elements as well as attack by insects. As such, cedar as a decking material has become one of the most popular choices when planning an exterior addition to a property. Red cedar in particular represents a robust choice in durable and visually striking materials for the kind of decking that adds all kinds of value to any given exterior.




Cedar is a resilient, reliable building material




Red Cedar for use in decking and in other building products is a species native to the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. The wood itself is naturally imbued with a high resistance to UV rays, moisture, and insect damage due to the presence of certain chemicals that protect it from degeneration. This is the reason why the species has thrived in such a moisture-heavy environment. These attributes are also a key reason as to why red cedar has been so heavily relied upon as tools and building materials since before the area was settled by Europeans. With these strengths in mind, red cedar is also a softwood, making it very easy to work with. Its look, its natural protection against the elements, and even the pleasant scent that is associated with it, lends it an organic warmth and general appeal that can easily be translated to your decking projects.




Cedar for use as decking




Carrying these benefits over specifically for the purposes of building a deck, cedar does not contain many of the resins or pitch found in other types of wood. This means that applying finish is much easier, which means further protection against the elements. Cedar is resilient enough to discourage the corrosion of decking fasteners, a problem that often leads to leeching of rust into a pressure-treated deck. Cedar is durable, and yet it is also lightweight, adding another level of easy workability when building your deck. Once completed, your deck will retain the natural feel and look that is reminiscent of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, along with the practical benefits of heat insulation (making for a cooler walking surface than many other wood decks), sound absorption, and dimensional stability that makes it a structural benefit to the rest of your property.




Rich and distinguished red cedar decking



The color of cedar is definite benefit to any decking project, and one which presents a number of options when planning one. When cedar is milled, the color ranges from amber to a pinkish hue, taken as it is from the heartwood of the species. By the time it ships, ready for use as decking lumber, it has matured to a cinnamon reddish-brown. As the cedar ages, the color changes yet again this time to a distinguished silvery gray, if it has not been stained. But if you choose to stain, the possibilities are even wider!

The author of this article, Rob Jones, is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.

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