Western Red Cedar Timbers and Beams

Western Red Cedar is a solid choice for interior and exterior applications where strength, appearance, and serviceability are of utmost importance.

With its straight grain and uniform texture, Western Red Cedar has natural properties that provide greater resistance to insect attack and rot, and decay than many other kinds of wood. And, because it is free of pitch and resin, it readily accepts a wide variety of finishes, including paint.

Because Cedar Country is located in the Pacific Northwest’s heart, the only place in the world where Western Red Cedar is grown, we have access to top-quality material in extremely long lengths and large dimensions.

We shipped these beautiful 8×12″ by 32′ beautiful Western Red Cedar timbers to a customer in Kentucky. Even with shipping, the pricing, not to mention quality, is far superior to any our customer could find in his local market.

8×12″ by 32′ Western Red Cedar timbers

Another impressive project is this stunning outdoor space created by using 8×16” x 32’, 8×8″ and 4×4″ Full, Rough Sawn Appearance Western Red Cedar Timbers and Beams that we supplied to a customer on Long Island in New York. The craftsmanship on this project is truly amazing!

32' Western Red Cedar Timbers

Western Red Cedar Beams

With practically every size and dimension available, our Western Red Cedar Timbers and Beams are normally supplied “green”.  And while most timbers are rough cut, you also do have the option of having them surfaced on all four sides to produce a smooth, uniform appearance, if desired.

When the appearance of the highest quality Western Red Cedar is desired, Timbers that have been graded as “Clear” are most often chosen.  Clear Cedar Timbers are suitable for high-quality landscape structures and exposed posts and beams in heavy timber construction.  This grade is produced without cut-outs, and the natural characteristics do not detract from the wood’s fine appearance.

Clear Grade Western Red Cedar Beams

Clear Grade Western Red Cedar Beams

Most often, Appearance Knotty grade Timbers are chosen.  Appearance Timbers and Beams represent good value for appearance end uses.  These timbers contain no large holes or pitch pockets and have very limited wane.  Appearance Timbers are suitable for almost any outdoor structure, entryways, and a wide variety of other uses.  Large knots that do not fall out are present.

Appearance Grade Western Red Cedar Timbers

Appearance Grade Western Red Cedar Timbers

In some instances, when strength or serviceability is more important than appearance, we can provide Structural or “Standard” Beams and Timbers.  Structural Timbers are intended for engineered application where strength is more important than appearance, while “Standard” graded timbers are intended for general construction purposes where serviceability is more important than appearance. No structural values are assigned to “Standard” Timbers.

As expected, pricing on our Timbers is directly related to the Grade of Timber chosen, as well as size.  Timbers in length over 20’ can be considerably more costly per lineal foot than those under 20’, as are Timbers in width over 12″.

Highly sought after because of the stunning natural coloring array, our Western Red Cedar Timbers will range in color from light yellow to a deep, rich dark brown-red.   Because our timbers are made from natural wood and each piece is beautifully unique, we are not able to select timbers based on color to fill orders.

Various Colors of Western Red Cedar Timbers

The Color of Western Red Cedar Varies

When your Western Red Cedar Timbers arrive at your job site, proper storage is of utmost importance to avoid exposing the cedar to UV or moisture.  Your Timbers should be kept covered and banded together, as well as elevated off the ground until you are ready to begin installation.

Large Timbers and Beams will require fasteners larger than nails.  Bolts, lag screws, split rings, and shear plates, as well as custom-made hardware, are commonly used.  All fasteners should be corrosion resistant or suitably coated to prevent corrosion and staining and rated for structural use (as necessary).   Because the cost of fasteners and other hardware can be significant when building large structures, and in some instances challenging to find, they should be secured before your Timbers arrive.

Western Red Cedar Timbers require large connectors

Before Your Next Project, Be Sure To Visit Us!

We Ship Nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Toll-Free 866.757.6343

Choosing the Right Fasteners for Your Construction Project

One of the most important, and often overlooked, elements to building a quality project is selecting the correct fasteners for the job. All fastening products are designed and tested for particular applications and environments for optimum performance. Proper product installation requires the end user to pay close attention to all manufacturer’s instructions.  Failure to do so may result in failure of the product and void any warranties.Stainless Steel Fasteners should be used when installing wood in damp environments, such as bathrooms

Fasteners should be selected based on the environment, as well as by size, length, thread, head, coating, material, and point. It is essential to not exceed a manufacturer’s published load. Doing so can jeopardize the connection. A fastener that splits the wood will not carry a published load, so, if this a problem, consider pre-drilling.

All carbon steel-based fasteners have the potential to corrode and rust. Careful consideration must be made when to select corrosion resistant fasteners.

Generally speaking, corrosion-resistant fasteners should be used when there may be exposure to condensation or other sources of moisture, as well as when the fasteners might be exposed to fumes, fertilizers, soil, pressure treated wood, acid rain, or other corrosive materials or wood, including Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar.

Use care when selecting fastners when building Western Red Cedar Raised Garden Beds

Corrosion Resistance Recommendations

  • Low – Phosphate (grey, black), Clear (bright) Zinc, Heavy Electro-galvanized, Yellow Zinc, Electro coat, Type 410 Stainless Steel
  • Medium – Mechanically Galvanized, Hot-dip galvanized, Double Barrier Coating
  • High – 304 or 305 Stainless Steel
  • Severe – Type 316 Stainless Steel

When installing Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar or other woods that may cause corrosion, we suggest using 304 or 305 Stainless Steel fasteners in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Additionally, if the project is near the saltwater, 316 Stainless Steel is highly recommended.

Use 316 Grade Stainless Steel Screws and Nails when near saltwater for proper corrosion protectionphoto and craftsmanship by Soundecks of Anacortes, WA

Should you have questions regarding selecting the right fasteners for your project, our team of professionals would be happy to help. We stock a various screws and nails in both galvanized and 305 Stainless Steel and can easily special order items in 316 Stainless.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!
We Ship Nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343