Author Archives: Cedar Country Lumber

Custom Milled Knotty Cedar Rail Cap

We specialize in working with customers with unique needs all over the US! If you can design it, we can have it made!  When a company that specializes in multi-family construction remodels contacted us to help him manufacture cedar rail cap to an exact profile to match to what was used on a property previously, we were able to have it made from this full, rough cut Western Red Cedar lumber.

Full Rough Cut Western Red Cedar Lumber

2x6 Western Red Cedar rough cut lumber

Made from high quality Select Tight Knot Western Red Cedar, this rail cap will be installed at a condominium complex in Idaho after we have it sent out for a factory pre-prime with oil based primer, so that it is ready to install when it arrives on the job site.  Our factory pre-stain process saves money and time on the job, as well as protects your material on the job site, as well as during installation.

Custom Milled Knotty Western Red Cedar Rail Cap

Custom milled 2x8 knotty Western Red Cedar Rail cap

With shipments of high quality Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar lumber, siding, shingles, shakes, timbers, (as well as other specialty building materials in various hard and soft woods), leaving our warehouse daily to all over the US, our customers value the quality of our products and our honest business practices, combined with excellent customer service and superior product knowledge.

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

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

 

 

Ribbon Coursing of Cedar Sidewall Shingles

The natural beauty, longevity and durability of Western Red Cedar has 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 home owners to customize an exterior that is perfect for their particular project.

Because of the many grades and sizes, as well as 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 its own thujaplicin, a chemical substance which 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 be come 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 air flow, 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 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, if needed, you can use a pressure washer fitted with a fan tip to loosen any stuck on dirt.  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 a 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 work-ability.  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 home owner 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 providing the Cedar Lumber. I wanted to send you couple 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 lumber yard 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 market of hard and soft wood decking, it can be a challenge to pick the one that is just right for you, your budget and lifestyle.

While researching decking options, it is important to realize that there are many, many different grades, as well as growing areas within any wood species.  The differences in grades, as well as 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 out perform 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 with out 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