Fencing & Decking

Many people prefer to use cedar in their decking projects. That’s because cedar is gorgeous, strong, insect-repellant and durable. Native American tribes called Western Red cedar “the tree of life” because they used it for everything from ceremonial masks to canoes. Cedar also blends well with natural environments, which explains its popularity for seaside resorts. Finally, those who are concerned with protecting the environment prefer cedar as a decking material because cedar is a renewable resource.

Tropical hardwoods and Port Orford cedar are good choices if you’re looking for an especially long-lasting deck. Port Orford cedar is one of the toughest materials on earth and is preferred by builders in the Northwest, where wet conditions wreak havoc on other decking materials. In fact, according to strength and hardness tests, Port Orford cedar is the strongest cedar in the world. Some may also like the fact that Port Orford cedar is also used in artistic applications, such as musical instruments. Port Orford cedar is less likely to warp, twist and splinter than other woods. Finally, it withstands impacts and takes stain better than other cedars.

Tropical hardwoods, such as Ipe, are also longevity superstars, but cost and transportation issues make them more difficult to attain. Because they must be transported so far, tropical hardwoods cost more than cedars and pressure-treated pine. They also require much more labor to install, which means installation costs are also higher.