Author Archives: Cedar Country Lumber

Cedar Shake Re-Roof at Mule Peak Fire Lookout

After the Great Fire of 1910 that burned millions of acres of forest land in Washington, Idaho, and Montana, the U.S. Forest Service began to create policies regarding fire suppression, as well explore better ways to detect fires, including the construction of fire lookouts. In 1933 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt formed the Civilian Conservation Corps, the U.S. Forest Service was able to take advantage of the CCC workforce and initiated a massive program of construction projects, including fire lookout towers.

Due to the abundance of material, as well as low maintenance, and natural resistance to rot and insect attack, fire lookouts through out the Pacific Northwest were originally constructed using Western Red Cedar building materials. An especially popular choice for these structures was Western Red Cedar shake roofing.

We recently had the pleasure of providing 24″ #1 Medium Western Red Cedar Shakes for the restoration of the fire look out on Mule Peak, located in Oregon. Accessible only by foot or pack animal, our friends at Kaplan Homes Unlimited, mounted horses and made the 4,000 foot elevation gain up to the lookout to complete the roof restoration. Please enjoy these photos of their trip.

Accessible only by foot or pack animal, Kaplan Homes mounted horses and carried the Western Red Cedar shakes needed to re-roof the fire lookout at Mule Peak
Western Red Cedar shakes are being installed to preserve the fire lookout at Mule Peak
The fire lookout at Mule Peak with a new Western Red Cedar shake roof

What an adventure!

Because of our unique business model, we are often contacted to help with historical restorations, such as this.  We also provide high quality Western Red Cedar, Alaska Yellow Cedar, and other soft and hardwood building materials for residential, commercial, government, and municipal projects throughout the United States. We go the extra mile to make sure our customers get exactly what they need. Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.ccLumber.com

Thermally Modified Hemlock T&G

This all natural, American-made natural wood product does not absorb moisture, expand, contract, warp, or become a food source for insects. By using high heat to remove the organic compounds from the Hemlock, this beautiful wood can be used indoors or out without the worry of rot, decay, insect attack, or harmful chemicals.

Using high heat, Hemlock is thermally modified to last longer

Naturally light and uniform in color, this thermally modified Hemlock will accept any stain, which makes it totally customizable for both interior or exterior use. And because the thermal modification process reduces cupping and warping, this product is a dream to install and lays straight and flat.

~~All at a price that is less than similar grade (C&Btr VG) Western Red Cedar~~

By thermally modifying this Hemlock, it is extremely stable and impervious to insects

Readily Available by Special Order ~ Thermally Modified Hemlock T&G

  • 1×4″ and 1×6″ Tongue and Groove
  • C&Btr, vertical grain
  • Kiln dried
  • Reversible re-sawn, 1/8″ fine-line face / finish ready texture 1/8″
  • 6′ to 20′ random length, odd and evens
  • Stainless steel fasteners are recommended for installation
  • Generally available within one week

Also Available for Special Order ~ Thermally Modified Hemlock

  • Lead times vary
  • C&BTR Vertical Grain, Kiln Dried
  • 1×4″ and 1×6″, 2×4″ and 2×6″ S1S2E for Trim
  • 2×4″ and 2×6″ Tongue and Groove
  • Shiplap and Custom Patterns

Contact us for samples and pricing. We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA

www.cclumber.com

Properly Storing Your Western Red Cedar Lumber and Other Building Materials

Congratulations on the next step in your project!  Now that you have selected your materials and they have arrived at your job site, the very first step is to inspect everything to be sure you have received the correct products and they are free from any defects or damage. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Western Red Cedar timbers being assembled for a job site delivery by Cedar Country Lumber

If you will not be installing your building material products right away, it is imperative that they are stored properly, otherwise they can be damaged quite quickly by moisture, humidity, temperature, sunlight, and job site dirt. Any materials that are intended to be installed indoors, need to get out of elements as quickly as possible. Building materials that will be installed outdoors, can remain outside for a short time as long as they are stored properly out of direct sunlight.

Starting from the bottom, your stack of lumber or other building materials should never be stored directly on the ground for any length of time, so be sure to elevate them by placing pieces of scrap lumber or pallets underneath. Should you be storing your lumber over damp ground or freshly poured concrete, you must also put a moisture barrier down. Cedar siding or other “dry” building materials should be kept between 4 to 6” above the ground. Be sure that your pile is laying completely flat.

If large pieces of lumber are strapped together and you will be using them with in a short time period, go ahead and keep them banded together for stability. This is especially helpful when storing pressure treated lumber, as it has a tendency to twist and warp quite quickly when stored outdoors. Items like cedar siding and trim, should be separated and stacked on vertically aligned stickers to allow for airflow and to acclimate before installation.  

Next, cover your building materials with a waterproof tarp or plastic, but not too tightly. You do want to allow some airflow.  To help prevent cupping and to hold down your tarp, you may want to put weights on your lumber pile. Having a peak or covering your pile with a tent in case of rain is also a good idea. Should any of your building materials become wet on the job site, they should be separated and allowed to dry thoroughly before installation.

Following these tips for short-term storage of your Western Red Cedar and other building materials will help your job go a lot smoother, as well as save you time and money!

360.757.6343

www.ccLumber.com

Gypsy Wagon Restoration

Also known as a Gypsy Wagon, or quite simply a living wagon, a vardo was a horse-drawn wagon used by British Romanichal Travels as their home during the mid-1800s. Vardos were highly decorated, intricately carved, and painted and were viewed as woodworking masterpieces.

Starting with a vintage Gypsy Wagon chassis, our customer has been in the process of creating this vardo using our clear Western Red Cedar. Due to its lightweight, ease of workability, and availability, Western Red Cedar is a popular choice for mobile buildings, wagons, and the like.

Please enjoy these in-progress photos and be sure to check back for updates! They will be outfitting the interior of the vardo much like it was done back in the 1800s with heavy fabrics and great attention to detail.

Vintage Covered Wagon Restoration
The interior of the vardo will be outfitted with luxury fabrics and other fine details
A horse drawn Gypsy Wagon made from high quality clear Western Red Cedar

Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We ship our specialty building materials to homeowner and contractors nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA 98233

http://www.cedarcountrylumber.com

1×4 Clear Mahogany Tongue and Groove Paneling

We are pleased to offer a new product to our line-up this spring, 1×4” clear grade KAYU® Mahogany T&G. Whether your style is traditional, coastal, modern, or farmhouse, adding natural wood accents to your home is hot on the market right now.

This 1×4” clear Mahogany T&G may be used as siding, in exterior porch ceiling or soffit areas, as well as interior walls and ceilings. It is the same beautiful tropical hardwood that has been used in the yachting and boating industry for many years where beauty and performance are of upmost importance.

1x4 clear Mahogany T&G for exterior soffits and ceilings
Our Clear Mahogany T&G is the same wood that has been used for many years in the boat building industry
Photos courtesy of Bob N. of Lynden

Naturally resistant to rot, decay, insects and mold, these solid pieces of wood can be installed vertically, horizontally, diagonally or in any combination. This wood is harvested sustainably from renewable resources and can be repurposed or completely recycled when it has fulfilled its intended use.

1x4 Clear Grade Mahogany T&G is a great value

All this at an excellent value compared to similar clear grade woods and/or composite materials. Contact us for pricing. In stock and ready to deliver!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

We ship nationwide!

http://www.cedarcountrylumber.com

Modified Wood Building Materials

Nothing warms a space like real wood. It provides natural beauty that just can’t be duplicated. However, as we all know, it does have its drawbacks, which has opened the doors for science and innovation to enter. New to the marketplace and likely to only gain popularity, as the technology evolves are modified wood building materials.

Kebony modified wood products give fast growing softwoods hardwood characteristics for extreme durability and stability
Kebony Channel Siding

Using proprietary methods to modify the wood structure with the use of thermal and/or non-toxic chemical agents, fast growing woods like ash, pine, sycamore and poplar, are turned into extremely durable, long lasting exterior building materials. And like other natural wood building products, at the end of their original intended use, they can be repurposed or recycled, leading to zero waste.

These amazing new modified wood products are being found in commercial, as well as residential construction, all over the world. However, distribution seems to be a drawback.

Due to a patented process of modifying softwoods, Kebony products are extremely durable. Distributed by Cedar Country Lumber

At this time we are pleased to offer Kebony products by special order. Developed in Norway, Kebony has created a patented process using bio-based liquid that enhances the properties of sustainable softwoods to provide them with hardwood characteristics, such as extreme durability and stability. Refined and beautiful, Kebony modified wood products are backed with a 30-year outdoor warranty. They offer products for decking, cladding and millwork. Learn more HERE

Kebony decking provided by Cedar Country Lumber of Burlington, WA
Decking by Kebony, Photo and Craftsmanship by The Robbins Co

As the technology and interest in modified wood building products progresses, we fully expect many more players coming to the marketplace, as well as greater availability. We’ll keep you posted!

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

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

http://www.ccLumber.com

Cedar Country Lumber In The News

It has been a pretty exciting January around here! We have had the pleasure of being featured in two publications; the 2021 Community Report for Peoples Bank and the Winter Issue of Premier Builder Magazine – Seattle/Puget Sound Edition.

We are extremely grateful for the support of these two organizations, as well as all our customers, vendors, colleagues, family and friends. When running a small business, every bit of help along the way helps!

Kym Kelly of Cedar Country Lumber on the front cover of the People's Bank 2021 Community Report
Tom Kelly of Cedar Country Lumber
Read the full story HERE
Cedar Country Lumber reports on the pro's of using Alaska Yellow Cedar in today's construction projects

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

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA 98233

www.ccLumber.com

Best Wood for Your Sauna

You guessed it: Western Red Cedar

Due to the phenols and other natural properties of Western Red Cedar against rot and decay, it is great for use in damp areas, including bathrooms and saunas. It is also very flexible and resists warping under heat and humidity. Because it is a low-density wood, it is a great insulator and heats quickly. And, it smells great!

Clear Western Red Cedar is the ideal wood choice for use in saunas

Pro tips:

Because your sauna will reach high temperatures and cool off when not in use, the Cedar will expand and contract a great deal. To reduce the chance of cupping, we recommend using narrower dimensions of materials, such as a 4” tongue and groove (T&G) product for the walls for optimum stability.  And while knotty grades are easier on the pocketbook, we recommend using clear grades of materials, as the knots tend to heat up faster and get hotter and may become uncomfortable to the touch. 

When shopping for your materials, keep in mind, that because a sauna is generally a small space, shorter lengths of materials can be used and sometimes come with a discounted price.

Narrower dimensions of Western Red Cedar is our recommendation for using in saunas to reduce cupping and warping

Special “Thanks” for Michael S from Arizona for sharing these gorgeous photos of the Western Red Cedar sauna he built using materials he purchased from us.

We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

Clear Western Red Cedar Bevel Siding

Due to wide availability, combined with natural beauty and ease of installation, clear Western Red Cedar Beveled siding is a popular choice for premium exterior siding. With proper care and maintenance, clear Cedar Bevel siding will provide many years of service.  And, when its life cycle is complete, it is easily disposed of, which makes it a very eco-friendly building product.

4" Clear Western Red Cedar Bevel Premium Siding
photo and craftsmanship by Craig Younquist

Bevel siding is produced by re-sawing lumber at an angle to produce two identical pieces, each with a thinner edge than the other. Traditionally installed horizontally, it provides a shadow line that varies with the thickness of the siding chosen.

Also commonly referred to as Clapboard siding, it is available in knotty as well as clear grades.  To learn more about our popular budget friendly knotty Bevel siding, please visit our blog on that by clicking HERE.

Clear Grades

  • Vertical grain – the highest grade available. It is a reversible product
  • A&Btr – graded and recommended for smooth face use only      

Common Sizes for Clear Bevel Siding

  • 1/2×4”
  • 1/2×6”
  • 1/2×8”
  • 3/4×8”
  • 3/4×10”

Generally speaking, clear Western Red Cedar Bevel siding is sold “random length” from 3’ to 20’ lengths in bundles with specific piece counts.

Clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar Bevel siding define this luxury home on Fire Island in New York

For those projects that require a painted surface, clear, vertical grain, finger-jointed, primed Bevel siding is a great money-saving option and is readily available in the same common sizes as natural clear Bevel siding. Recommended for smooth face use in 16’ lengths, this siding is already primed with a good quality alkyd oil primer and is ready to install and paint.

Not able to use an “off the shelf” product or want something special made? We specialize in working with customers with unique needs all over the US and can mill custom clear Bevel siding in most any size in random lengths. To save money and time on the job site, we also can provide custom factory pre-staining or pre-priming to your clear Bevel siding. Code conforming fire treatment is also an option.

Prior to delivery, we had the clear, Bevel siding for this job sent out for custom pre-staining.
Upon arrival at the job site, it was ready to install.

Starting at the bottom of the wall, Western Red Cedar Bevel siding should be face nailed to studs with 1-1/4″ good penetration into solid wood. Place nail just above the overlap, using one nail per piece, up to a maximum of 24″ apart. Fasteners should be corrosion resistant and approved for installing Western Red Cedar. Either natural or color-matched stainless steel nails are a popular choice when installing premium clear Bevel siding. No caulking should be used between joints to allow the wood to expand and contract. Please see our blog General Guidelines for Installing Western Red Cedar Siding for more tips.

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

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.ccLumber.com