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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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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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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There are many decking options out there, as a result, it can be overwhelming to try and understand all the differences between the products. In a recent article, we went in-depth on the different TimberTech lines. To summarize, the TimberTech brand offers three distinct levels of products: Azek, Pro, and Edge. So, let’s dig deeper…
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Trex has become synonymous with composite decking – and with good reason – they produce a quality product and continually innovate. Trex has been supplying decking material for almost three decades and has become the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking products. 3 Trex Collections Over the years, Trex has added to its product line…
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Pressure-treated, cedar, composite, and PVC are common decking materials – but what do you know about thermally modified wood decking? If you’re like most people, probably not much. Pyrolysis is the process of heating wood to over 400°F (180 °C) in the absence of oxygen. This process completely removes moisture and changes the chemical structure…
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