Decks and Patios - Cedar Decking Material
About Cedar Decking Materials
Introduction
One of the most beautiful woods in the world is also one of the best looking decks you can find in your neighborhood. Cedar decking material not only gives you a good-looking deck but it can also extend the living space to the outdoors, making greater use of the free space on your property. Bringing the indoors out, allows you to enjoy your outdoor areas much more. How Unique is Cedar Decking Material?
Cedar decking is naturally resistant to decay and insect damage. It is also a superior all-weather decking material. Cedar decking contains preservative oil that makes it a non-treatment decking material unless the deck material has direct contact with the ground. Cedar wood has less tendency to shrink and swell when compared to any other domesticated softwoods. Cedar decking material is beautiful with a rich grain, texture and color that will compliment any architectural style from traditional design to post modern designs.
Advantages of Cedar Decking Material
A popular choice for wood decking, cedar is naturally resistant to all types of wear that an outdoor decking material is subject to such as UV rays, moisture, and insects. This is because of the presence of natural chemicals in the wood that makes it a robust species of wood. Cedar decking also offers a rich range of colors and grain patterns, which means your decking will look stunning.
Homeowners have a choice of surface finishes and preserving the cinnamon-to-amber hues, or allowing it to naturally weather to sylvan gray. Cedar decking material also enhances the look and value of any property where applied.
Cedar decking is light in weight which makes transporting and handling easy. It’s soft texture and straight grain makes it easy to clean, saw and shape. It takes nails and other fasteners without cracking and splitting the wood. Cedar decking also has a distinctive fragrance that will make you inhale deeply, not like any other wood that has a foul smell especially when wet. Cedar Decking, a Growing Choice of Shapes and Sizes
Cedar decking is produced in a wide range of patterns and sizes that can let anyone personalize any project. You can ask your building materials dealer for a full selection of patterns of cedar decking.
Cedar Decking Material Maintenance
Proper cleaning and surface preparation by both chemical and mechanical means is needed to restore a cedar deck successfully. Negligence in removing mildew, dirt, algae, stains and weathered residue will cause an unsightly deck and early failure of subsequently applied coatings.
When the cedar starts to lose its color, deck surfaces should be refinished. The new finish needs to absorb into the wood. Finishing too soon may lead to inadequate absorption while finishing too late may lead to excessive degradation of the wood surface.
There are commercial deck cleaners and restorers available on the market like paint strippers, bleaches, and oxalic acid-based formulas. These products contain a hazardous ingredient that’s why it should be used with caution.
Paint Strippers will remove oil-based stains and latex stains. Most are ready to use liquids. After using, residual stripper should be thoroughly rinsed from the wood surface before any other coating is applied.
Bleaches are effective in counteracting mildew but do a little in removing dirt and other surface deposits. Aggressive scrubbing with caustic cleaners such as bleach will remove surface wood fibers and will result in a rough and unnatural whitish tone of the wood.
