Cedar has a distinct cell structure that discourages moisture rot by allowing it to dry out faster than most woods
15-year plus life; rot and pest resistant.
Resists splitting and warping.
100% Inland Red Cedar is tight knot grade
Environmental benefits include:
Extremely durable.
Great example of a product that saves local forests and costs the same as clear-cut timber
Supports sustainable forestry.
Fasteners
It makes no sense to build with fasteners that won't last as long as the wood. We recommend (and sell) stainless steel screws. Unlike hardwoods, there is no need to pre-drill our cedar decking.
Screw systems:
If you use self-drilling screws, such as the
Swaneze line we
sell from Swan Secure Products. We recommend this screw (type 316) because it is highly resistant to corrosion.
The proper length of a fastener is 1 1/2 times the thickness of the decking.
Other companies make systems where screws remain hidden because they are put in from underneath.
This wood sands well with electric sanders. Use coarser grits than with softer decking.
Sealing and Finishing
First, treat the deck with
Mill Glaze Away (a powder dissolved in water),
which opens the wood pores, adjusts the pH and leaves a slight borate residue
on the wood to prevent growth of any mildew spores that might land on the wood
before the finish is applied.
Then coat with
Natural Deck Oil or Timber Pro UV, both are a penetrating finish that blocks
ultraviolet rays from the sun. They are what cause exposed wood to turn gray.
Safety
Any wood dust is considered a possible human carcinogen because of an increased rate of nasal cancer among woodworkers in factories. We recommend wearing a respirator that works while sawing both of these woods.
