Deciphering cedar grades can be confusing. First, cedar can be graded using two different criteria: structure and appearance. Structural Grade Appearance Grade Used when strength and physical properties are the primary consideration. Generally, this grading only applies to timbers over 2” in width. Used when strength is not the primary consideration. Instead, cedar is visually…
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Western red cedar is the ultimate building material because it’s naturally resistant to rot and decay, dimensionally stable, and is a sustainable resource. Many people choose cedar for large projects like decks and siding, but it’s also a great choice for smaller DIY projects. We’ve rounded up 5 DIY cedar projects from Real Cedar that…
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Pergolas are a great backyard addition, and we field a lot of questions about the best lumber to use when building this type of outdoor structure. Our top two recommendations are always the same: western red cedar or Douglas fir. Western Red Cedar Pergolas Cedar is our number one choice for pergola lumber because we…
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To build a pergola, you need two things: lumber and hardware. While people do have questions about the best wood for a pergola, the bigger roadblock is usually what kind of hardware to use. There are countless hardware options on the market, but we suggest one of two brands: Toja Grid brackets or the Outdoor…
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There’s more to choosing decking than just picking the material. You also need to choose a deck board profile. There are three main profiles: solid, grooved, and tongue and groove. The type of profile impacts the performance and appearance of your deck, so it’s important to choose the right decking profile for your project. Solid…
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Cedar prices and availability have fluctuated over the last few years, but we’re expecting our stock to remain stable again for the 2024 building season. The building industry has continued to remain stable, which has allowed us to maintain most of the pricing for our 2024 stock. 2024 Cedar Pricing At The WoodSource, we aim to…
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A frequent request in the CNC shop is whether we can replicate broken (or missing) handles. Usually, these requests come from people with antique or heritage items, like historical guns, treasured heirlooms, or other one-of-a-kind objects. We recently completed an antique gun handle replica for a customer. Here’s the process we went through to create…
Read MoreInstalling wood panelling is a popular way to upgrade a room and add warmth and character to a space. There are a variety of interior wood panelling options, and it’s important to choose the right product for your project. There are a few decisions to make when choosing wood panelling: Difference Between Siding and Panelling Siding…
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When processing logs into planks and dimensional lumber, four main saw patterns can be used: It’s important to understand the difference in saw patterns because the way wood is cut affects its stability and appearance. Flat Sawn (Also called Plain Sawn) Log Cut Surface/Face Grain End Grain Flat sawn is the most common cut pattern…
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Marine plywood is a specialty sheet good often used on boats and other outdoor applications. It differs from other plywood by the species of wood, number (and thickness) of layers, and the adhesive used in manufacturing. Marine Plywood Core Marine plywood is made up of many thin layers which reduces voids and large knots in…
Read MoreSaunas (both indoor and stand-alone outdoor buildings) are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. As more Ottawa homeowners design and build saunas, we field many calls asking for recommendations on the best wood to use. Our go-to suggestion is western red cedar, but if someone wants a different species, thermally modified wood is a unique option. …
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Are you upgrading (or building) a staircase and overwhelmed by the parts and terminology? Below, we break down the two main parts of a staircase and explain each component in detail. Step System The step is comprised of four main components: Stringer: The structural part of the staircase. Tread: The walking surface of a staircase.…
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When purchasing lumbers and timbers, you’ll be confronted with wood texture (sometimes called finishing) options. Understanding the difference between rough sawn, fresh sawn, skip-dressed, and dressed lumber might seem overwhelming, but it’s actually very straightforward! Texture Roughness Rough Sawn High Fresh Sawn Medium Skip-dressed Low Dressed None Wood texture options What is rough sawn timber? Sometimes…
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If you’re looking to re-side your home with wood, you have two main options: unfinished wood siding or prefinished wood siding. Prefinished siding is popular because it comes with a factory finish, so you don’t need to worry about painting or staining after installation. It’s very easy to install and is warranted for up…
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There are over 7,500 properties listed in Ottawa’s heritage register, with many of the homes in the Victorian or Carpenter Gothic style. While these homes are undoubtedly beautiful, a problem homeowners of these heritage buildings often face is how to match deteriorating (or missing) gingerbread trim. You could try to replicate the trim by hand…
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When it comes to choosing wood siding, there are a lot of options. First and foremost, you have to decide if you want to install unfinished siding or go with prefinished siding. For this article, we’re focusing exclusively on unfinished options. Learn about prefinished options in our article: Prefinished Wood Siding Guide. There are three…
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When it comes to the best wood for an Ottawa deck, there are three main options: Western Red cedar, Ipe, and Red Batu. Any of these woods would be an excellent choice for your deck, and often the decision comes down to personal preference and budget considerations. Cedar Western red cedar is the classic decking…
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Are you looking to stain your wood decking? High-quality decking stains protect and maintain (or enhance!) the natural look of wood. But, with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to decide which finish is best for your project. We’re here to help by highlighting the benefits of CUTEK wood oil…
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Red Batu hardwood is an increasingly popular exterior decking wood. Not only is it beautiful to look at but it’s durable in harsh weather conditions: a winning combination! Red Batu is similar to other hardwoods like Ipe, and can be used in place of composite or synthetic decking. In addition to decks, Red Batu can…
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Are you installing a western red cedar deck and looking advice before you apply your finish? Cedar is an incredibly durable building material that’s naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects. To keep your deck looking great for years to come, follow these four steps: 1. Proper Preparation The first step to finishing a cedar…
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When working with dressed Douglas Fir, inside or outside, you’ll want to protect the wood by properly finishing it. We talked to our experts to compile the top four tips on how to properly finish your Douglas Fir lumber: 1. Wait for Lumber to Dry In order for stain or other finish to properly soak in,…
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Knotty vs. Select Cedar is the question we are going to help you answer today. Western red cedar is a popular material for interior and exterior applications, and rightfully so. It’s durable, sustainable, and beautiful. Cedar is also versatile because the wood is sorted based on a number of criteria, so you can choose the…
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The most common question we hear is, how much will it cost? But when it comes to composite decking costs, it’s hard to give a definitive answer. Relatively, composite is less expensive than PVC, but more expensive than wood. There are also a number of companies manufacturing composite decking – and each brand has multiple…
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For homeowners thinking about installing their first deck, it can be confusing to make sense of all the decking options – especially when it comes to PVC vs composite decking. At first glance, they seem fairly similar, but there are some key differences between the two. PVC Composite Made of 100% synthetic material Made from…
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You’ve decided to go with a composite decking product and have narrowed it down to TimberTech. So, now you need to decide between the different TimberTech lines, but which one is right for you and your project? Three TimberTech Product Lines TimberTech organizes its decking products into three distinct lines: Choosing the right TimberTech line…
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