BobVila.com

Building a Western Red Cedar Deck

Bob checks out the structure for the western red cedar deck that is being built at the Masher home in Rowley. He points out the bituthene membrane that is applied to protect the joist hangers against corrosion from interaction between the metal and the pressure-treated joists and rim board. He also looks at the tripler that will carry the structural load of the deck and the oriel windows that have been refurbished with custom two-over-one windows from Pella to match the original facade. Bob then meets Paul Mackie of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association to discuss the benefits of building with western red cedar. Unlike exotic woods that raise concerns about deforestation and sustainability, western red cedar is a sustainable product harvested in managed-yield forests in the Northwestern United States and Canada. Forest management practices require replanting, which has resulted in more acres of forest land now than existed 100 years ago. Mackie and Bob also talk about the inherent benefits of building with cedar. It is naturally stable, which means it will not warp, crack, check, or chip. Western red cedar is also insect resistant because of the naturally occurring thugaplicins in the wood. These chemicals are natural insect repellents that also help the wood combat fungal growth and stand up to UV degradation. Cedar comes in a number of different grades, but the one selected for this deck is Grade A clear, vertical grain western red cedar. While the initial costs may be higher, the beauty and durability of this wood is undeniable. More information