Yearly Archives: 2019

Ribbon Coursing of Cedar Sidewall Shingles

The natural beauty, longevity, and durability of Western Red Cedar have made it a popular choice for exterior siding since man began building structures.  It is light, easy to work with, and comes in a variety of patterns and textures that allow designers, architects, builders, and homeowners to customize an exterior that is perfect for their particular project.

Because of the many grades and sizes and ways that they can be installed to create a custom look, Cedar Shingles are an especially popular siding choice.  In this photo, the pre-primed #1 R&R (re-edged and re-jointed) Western Red Cedar Shingles we provided for this historical restoration were installed using a method called “Ribbon Coursing”.

Pre primed ribbon coursed Western Red Cedar Shingles

When applying ribbon coursing, the double shadow line is created by raising the outer course of cedar shingles approximately 1″ above the under coursing.  It is recommended that only #1 shingles be used in this application.

Ribbon Coursing installation guidelines for Western Red Cedar Shingles

Butt nail all double coursed cedar shingles that are installed with more than their maximum single course recommended exposure.  For our 18″ #1 Western Red Cedar shingles, 7″ is the maximum recommended exposure for a single course.  When installing any Western Red Cedar building materials, be sure to use corrosion-resistant fasteners.

# 1 Western Red Cedar shingle installation exposure guide

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

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

Western Red Cedar Supplied for National Park Service at Stehekin

Thuja plicata, commonly called western red cedar or Pacific red cedar, giant arborvitae or western arborvitae, giant cedar, or shinglewood, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family native to western North America. It is not a true cedar of the genus Cedrus.

Western Red Cedar trees produce their own thujaplicin, a chemical substance that is known to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It’s also said to be an anti-oxidant. Long before it was used in modern construction, Western Red Cedar played a large role in the lives of Native Americans. So much that they called it “the Tree of Life”.

Native to the Pacific Northwest, where Cedar Country Lumber is located, we are proud suppliers of Western Red Cedar building materials for new construction, as well as historical restorations. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working with the North Cascades National Park staff on many of their projects, including some at Stehekin.

Accessible only by foot, boat, or plane, Stehekin is located on the Northern shores of Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington and offers many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and kayaking. For visitors wishing to spend the night with amenities, there are cabins, a house, and rooms for rent, as well as a restaurant and general store.

Western Red Cedar supplied for National Park Service at Stehekin

Special “thanks” to our friends, the Roberts, for capturing these photos on their recent trip to Stehekin!

Knotty Western Red Cedar Siding

Knotty Western Red Cedar Siding

Hand Split Western Red Cedar Shakes

Hand Split Western Red Cedar Shakes

Western Red Cedar Board and Batten Siding

Western Red Cedar Board and Batten Siding

Select Tight Knot Western Red Cedar

Select Tight Knot Western Red Cedar

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

360.757.6343

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

Cleaning Your Cedar Deck

Like all products that are exposed to the outdoors, a deck top of Cedar (as well as any other wood or manufactured decking) will become dirty and require some routine maintenance.   A deck that is kept free of dirt and debris, both on the deck surface as well as underneath to allow airflow, will last longer and look better.

Annually, your deck should be inspected thoroughly and cleaned for optimum results, whether you plan on re-staining it or allowing it to go naturally grey.

Start by giving your Cedar deck a good sweeping and remove any leaves or other debris underneath the deck.  Depending on how dirty the deck is, you can use a pressure washer fitted with a fan tip to loosen any stuck-on dirt if needed.  Be sure to set the pressure to around 500 psi to 600 pounds per square inch (psi); any higher could cause the grain to come up or cause damage to the decking boards.

While there are many deck cleaners available on the market, we have found a solution of warm water, TSP (trisodium phosphate), and a small amount of bleach (or powdered oxygen bleach like Oxiclean) to work really well and be very cost-effective.  Spray the solution on with an inexpensive garden sprayer, let sit about 5 minutes, scrub with a soft bristle cleaning brush where needed, and then rinse with thoroughly water.  This should bring the Cedar deck top back to almost new condition.  For help with specific problems or stains, check out our blog on those by clicking HERE.

We supplied the Clear, Western Red Cedar decking for this project a little over a year ago.  Our customer just recently gave it an annual good cleaning, and as you can see, the deck top is brought back to “like new” condition.

How to clean cedar deck

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

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

CCA Pressure Treated Cedar Shingles and Shakes

While naturally resistant to rot and decay, Western Red Cedar shingles and shakes that have been treated with Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) will add years to the life of your roof or siding.

To add longevity to this cedar roof, the cedar shakes were treated with CCA pressure treatment

Invented in the early 1930s, CCA treatments protect wood against insect attack and fungal decay and is expected to give life to the wood in excess of forty years.  This can be extremely helpful in areas with high humidity to provide longevity to cedar roofing, utility, highway, marine, agricultural and heavy construction.  CCA preservative treatments render the wood useless as a food substance for insects and fungi yet keeps the natural look of the wood.  As a matter of fact, it is almost impossible to tell that the wood has even been treated when finished.

Since CCA pressure treatments have been around for so long, many studies have been done to ensure its safety by both private and public research institutions.  At no time have any special risks been found, and it is not toxic to plants.  However, it should not be used in direct contact with food, nor should it be burned.  As with any wood, a dust mask should be worn when sawing or working with CCA-treated cedar shingles and shakes.

CCA Pressure Treated Cedar Shake Roof will last approximately 40 years

If you are interested in pricing on Western Red Cedar shingles or shakes with CCA preservative treatments, please give us a call or send an email to sales@cclumber.com

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

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

360.757.6343

Western Red Cedar roofing shakes

Western Red Cedar Garden Bed Material

Now that the weather has turned, it is time to start thinking about putting in (or adding to) a backyard garden, and raised beds are one of the easiest to ways to get started.  For a whole list of the benefits of raised garden beds, please see our post on that subject by clicking HERE.

Limited to stock on hand, our 2×12″ utility-grade Western Red Cedar is the ultimate choice for constructing new beds.  Naturally resistant to rot and decay, easy to work with, and beautiful!

PRO TIP:  If you plan on growing carrots or any other root vegetables, your raised garden beds need to be at the very least 10″ deep.

Our value priced 2x12" cedar boards are perfect to raised garden beds

Western Red Cedar raised garden beds should be at least 10" deep

Western Red Cedar Raised Bed Garden

Due to exceptional pricing, our utility-grade “value-priced” Western Red Cedar garden material is sold as-is with no returns or exchanges.  Limited to lengths and stock on hand.

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

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com