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

 

 

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 are able to 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 you next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA  98233

Woodfest April 27 & 28, 2019

Proud to help sponsor this Tulip Festival sanctioned event again!

So much to see and do! Woodfest

 WoodFest: Timber to Tech!  The students of multiple high schools and middles schools will proudly be displaying their amazing craftsmanship from woodworking to 3D printing.   Watch live demonstrations from wood turners and carvers (including the uniquely popular chainsaw carvers!), participate in family activities and browse the wares of various vendors, including: handmade wooden products, quilting, jewelry and more.  There will also be a silent auction and raffle!   For more information, as well as times and locations for all the WoodFest activities, please visit the WoodFest Event Page by the Sedro Woolley Chamber of Commerce.