Cedar Wood – For Beautiful and Everlasting Decking

Cedar wood is a type of softwood obtained from a multitude of trees called cedars that are found all around the world. These trees grow well in mountainous regions where the soil is moist and rich in limestone. The quality and use of cedars vary depending on where they come from.

Cedar trees are a part of the pine family and grow fast when exposed to sunlight. The bark and oil of the cedar tree are used for many commercial end-uses. Cedars are essentially of two types: White Cedar and Red Cedar.

As cedars are coniferous trees, also known as evergreens, they have closed grain barks like other softwoods. The closed grain of cedar wood is not noticeable on the finished product because of which it is used for framing, construction and other outdoor projects.

It can be painted easily making it is perfect for a personalized decking in case you are not satisfied with its natural appearance. It is lightweight and yet durable making it a popular choice for the patio, decks, outdoor furniture, and so on. It is very easy to work with and can be carved with intricate designs effortlessly.

Cedar wood is highly fragrant because of its oil. Cedar essential oil is well known for its woody and insect-repellant aroma.

Cedar wood is resistant to termites and moisture and therefore it is perfectly suitable for outdoor furniture and decking. This is one of the reasons it has been a popular choice of wood for decking and other outdoor constructions for decades.

It is a good insulator and absorbs sound effectively making it a great choice for building a house and decking. In fact, different types of Cedar wood obtained from various parts of the world have distinct applications; they can be used to make pencils, incense, fences, furniture, house, flooring, ships, etc.

Cedar wood grows in many parts of the world because of which it is easily available and more affordable than other types of softwood and hardwood. Pressure-treated cedar wood works best for decking since it becomes stronger and sturdier after this treatment.

Cedar decking is very easy to install, clean and maintain. They can be cleaned using pressure washers conveniently. It can last for decades if taken care of periodically with a thorough cleaning, staining and resealing.

Cedar wood from recognized sources bears a stamp, referred to as ‘The Lumber Stamp’. Make sure you check this stamp before you buy for moisture content at the time of manufacturing, classification, and grade of the wood. The vendor must be involved in the responsible management of forests. Also, check for the market price of cedar wood before making a purchase.

This article is written by Bruce Master. He gained an interest in woodworking at an early age. Bruce Master started working with contractors in the 1970s as a salesman at Ace Hardware in Miami.