Monthly Archives: May 2019

Clear Western Red Cedar Building Materials Used for Custom Fence

Grown only in the Pacific Northwest, Thuja plicata, commonly referred to as Western Red Cedar, is the ultimate building material for outdoor applications due to its natural durability and workability.  It is resistant to rot, decay, and insect attacks.  This means that anything built with it will last longer and require less maintenance.  Aesthetically, there is no parallel for the natural beauty of Western Red Cedar.

Western Red Cedar is available in different grades, including the one that is just right for your project.  From casual knotty grades to clear grades, each offers its own unique style to help you achieve the architectural element you desire.

When a motivated homeowner in California contacted us about supplying him with Western Red Cedar for a fence he wanted to build, he also provided us with pictures he found on Pinterest.  This helped us determine what grade and dimension of Western Red Cedar he was interested in using for his custom fence.

With his handy work, and our high quality, clear Western Red Cedar, he was able to create an amazing feature on his property that will last for many, many years!

“Michele – G’Morning. I wanted to thank you for all you did and for providing the Cedar Lumber. I wanted to send you a couple of pictures of the end result, it turned out amazing” – Rick

custom gate constructed from clear Western Red Cedar lumber

custom fence made from clear western red cedar lumber

When specifying materials for your next project, don’t be disappointed, insist on Western Red Cedar, the Cedar that is grown in our back yard!  Even with shipping (in most instances), the pricing is comparable to your local lumberyard, with the quality and supply much better.

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

We ship nationwide!

Appearance Grade Kiln Dried Douglas Fir Timbers and Beams

Highly prized for its strength, durability, and fine appearance, we offer a full line of kiln-dried Douglas Fir appearance grade timbers and beams.  Re-sawn or surfaced, our Doug Fir timbers are dried in computer-controlled, state-of-the-art, conventional kilns using low-pressure steam.  This helps to minimize twisting, cupping, and checking.

Prized for its strength and durability, Douglas Fir timbers and beams are ideal for interior or exterior use

Great for interior or exterior use, including timber framing, post, and beam construction, as well as for adding architectural details, our Douglas Fir timbers are produced from one of the strongest and most durable softwoods and will readily accept paint, stains, and other finishes beautifully.

This chart shows the durability, strength and hardness of Douglas Fir compared to other Fir and North American grown softwoods

Our Appearance grade Doug Fir Timbers and Beams are available in a wide variety of sizes and finishes including:

  • 3×4″ through 3×14″
  • 4×4″ through 4×16″
  • 6×6″ through 6×16″
  • 8×8″ through 8×16″
  • 10×10″ through 10×16″
  • 12×12″
  • Custom Dimensions
  • Rough, Surfaced on All Four Sides (S4S) & Re-sawn Rough
  • 8-20′, 24′, 26′ & 32′
  • Can quote up to 40′
  • All prices subject to availability

Our Douglas Fir beams and timbers are ideal for timber framing and other outdoor structures

Our sales team would be happy to discuss your Doug Fir timber and beam needs.  So, before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Wood Decking Comparisons

With so many options on the hard and softwood decking market, it can be a challenge to pick the one that is just right for you, your budget, and your lifestyle.

While researching decking options, it is important to realize that there are many, many different grades and growing areas within any wood species.  The differences in grades and where the wood is grown, milled and graded will affect your decking price, availability, and, most importantly, the performance.

Comparison chart for wood decking that includes cost, durability and fire ratingFor example, within the “cedar” deck board market, there are many grades, grading standards, as well as growing regions within the Pacific Northwest where Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar are grown, which directly affects performance.  Decking cut from premium, clear, mature, coastal grown, Western Red Cedar will outperform decking manufactured from inland grown knotty Cedar boards time and time again.  The same is also true for exotic hardwood decking milled and graded from other countries, including Ipe and Mahogany, two very popular hardwoods that are sold under a variety of brand names, all graded to different brand standards.   

At Cedar Country, we only stock Kayu® Mahogany Batu and Golden Balau “Mahogany” hardwood decking.  Both are similar to Ipe in density, strength, and durability, but without the high price. Sourced from tropical rain forests using sustainable practices, these decking products are 100% natural, 100% organic, 100% clear grade, kiln-dried for consistency, and always carefully inspected by Kayu exclusive graders.

Sourced from sustainable forests, you can count on the quality of our Kayu Red Batu Mahogany decking

Backed with a 25-year limited warranty, when you purchase Mahogany Decking from Cedar Country, you can be sure you are buying the highest quality Kayu® carefully selected hardwoods.  Every time.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Taliesin West by Frank Lloyd Wright

While we have not had the pleasure of supplying materials to this Frank Lloyd Wright historic property, we have supplied both Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar building materials, including full dimension lumber and beams, as well as decking, to other Frank Lloyd Wright properties for historic restoration.

Built in 1937 by Frank Lloyd Wright, his wife, and students of his architecture school outside Scottsdale, Arizona, Wright constructed Taliesin West largely of “desert masonry,” which consisted of local rock and stone set in wood forms and bound by a mixture of cement and desert sand.

Taliesin West Courtyard

Over the years, Taliesin West was continually worked on an improved and many other buildings were built, including a drafting studio, dining facilities, three theaters, a workshop, Wright’s office and private living quarters, and residences for apprentices and staff. Each building is connected through a series of walkways, terraces, pools, and gardens.

picture view at Taliesin West

Full Dimension Wood Beams at Taliesin West

Originally constructed from redwood, the exterior beams have been replaced by full dimension Douglas Fir beams and timbers with steel supports.

Originally constructed from Redwood, the exterior wood beams at Taliesin West were replaced with Doug Fir Beams

fully dimensional Douglas Fir beams used for historic renovation at Taliesin West

Today, Taliesin West is the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin.  Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours.  We hope you have enjoyed our photos of our recent trip there.

Specializing in high-quality building materials, including dimensional lumber, siding, exterior cladding, shingles, shakes, timbers, and more, including custom sawing and patterns, we can help with historical restorations, as well as other unique custom building projects.  Because we are located in the heart of Cedar Country, the only place in the world where Western Red Cedar and Alaska Yellow Cedar is grown, we can offer superior quality with exceptional pricing. Whatever you are looking for, we can find a mill that manufactures it or have it custom milled.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA  98233