Is Cedar Wood The Right Choice For Decking

Writen by Allison Thompson

In this article I will try to explain why red cedar wood is the ideal building material and why it is especially good as a material to use for decking.

Cedar is a really remarkable natural material because is can be used in so many different sorts of building products and seems to be especially good to use a decking timber. The softwood seems to lend some of its Pacific Northwest charm to the exteriors of many homes and offices and with its warm cinnamon tones that will age gracefully over time to a seasoned silver colour. Although it is attractive and has a lot of rustic charm, it has many natural properties that provide it with a built in resistance to both attack by the elements and by insects. Because of this cedar wood has become one of the more popular choices when people are planning to add a decking area to their property. Red Cedar in particular is not only robust but is durable and a visually striking material which will add value to any exterior of a property.

The Red Cedar is a native species found in the costal regions of the Pacific Northwest and is now used not just for decking part for many other building products also. The wood itself is naturally imbued with a high resistance to UV rays, moisture and damage by insects because of certain chemicals in it which protect it from degeneration, and this is the reason why this species has survived in an environment heavy in moisture. Also these attributes are a key reason why the Red Cedar has been so heavily relied on by the Europeans who settled in the region for use as tools and building materials.

So with these strengths in mind you also need to remember that because Red Cedar is a softwood is it very easy to work with. Not only its looks, but its natural protection against the elements and even the scent that is associated with it lends a warmth and general appeal that can easily be transplanted to your own garden when carrying out a decking project.

Not only does it have the benefits mentioned above which are ideal for using when building a deck, but it also does not contain many of the resins or pitch which are normally found in other sorts of wood. So when it comes to the time for applying a finish it is much easier and you have no need for any further protection against what the elements may throw at it. Cedar is in fact resilient enough to discourage the decking fastenings from corroding, a problem which can often lead to leeching of rust into other pressure treated decks. Not only is Cedar durable, but it is also lightweight and to add another level is not hard feat when building your deck. But once completed it will retain its natural feel and look that you will find reminiscent of the beautiful countryside of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the practical benefits such as heat insulation (this ensures that the decking will feel cooler when walking on it compared to many other wooden decks), it has great sound absorption and is very stable so it will be a structural benefit to the rest of your home.

Another benefit that Cedar wood provides is the colour range, which starts from an amber and goes up to a pinkish hue as it is taken from the heartwood of the tree. By the time the timber has been shipped and is ready to be used as decking lumber you will find that it has matured to a cinnamon (reddish-brown) colour. Then as it ages it will change colour yet again and this time turns a silvery grey colour, unless it has been stained. Now if you choose to stain it then the colour variations available to you become even greater.

Allison Thompson a work from home now living in Spain and is a partner in a small real estate firm. After working in this field for a number of years she decided to set up a number of sites relating to property matters and this one is related to decking and its benefits. If you would like to know more than please visit http://www.deck.householdfacts.info.