Redwood has both heartwood and sapwood pieces, with the heartwood being reddish brown and the sapwood yellowish. 
Heartwood is typically more open, whereas certain sapwood pieces will have more grain lines, being the outer edge of the tree where the tree has aged and growth reduces with time. Same with redwood. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and especially loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. redwood rough common ft lumber actual window close One of the main components of redwood and cedar that make them resistant to rot and decay is the presence of polyphenols in the heartwood. 
There are multiple cedar species you may be able to choose from, such as Eastern White, Eastern Red, and Western Red Cedar. Redwood lumber distributors will readily tell you that their lumber is available anywhere in the US, but that is simply not true. Both trees are soft, making them easy to lift and cut.
Cedar grain is tight and uniform, with the grains spaced evenly and close together. Redwood, with its superior hardness, will last longer in the ground compared to cedar. lumber redwood ft depot mendocino forest boards common construction pack appearance homedepot Redwood is stronger, but that also means it is heavier. 
Cedar wins, particularly because the two types of wood are so similar in nearly all categories except appearance. Cedar decking is differentiated by its extremely straight grain. lumber redwood construction ft heart mendocino forest framing studs s4s dry pack dimensional homedepot depot list composites hover zoom Interesting question, but there is no simple answer. lumber ft studs 2x4 framing redwood mendocino forest rough construction depot pieces pack heart homedepot It also gives you, the owner, peace of mind that youve used quality materials that will last, are natural, and will increase the value of your home. Cedar is softer, especially Eastern White Cedar, making it prone to tear out when cutting on a saw. I wanted something that would be the centerpiece of my backyard for years to come. Youll find some cedar with slight hints of purple too. View Details. Over time both will weather to a silvery gray color if not maintained. Some prefer this change and consider it a nice natural look. I am planning a deck on an above ground pool. Thus, it is easier to acquire pieces that are clear or relatively clear of knots compared with cedar. Finally, both will scratch and nick easily. 4X4, I go toModel # 662GC.. . Eastern White Cedar is available on the east coast, but Western Red Cedar is the most copious cedar species available throughout the country. Cedar, however, is stocked in most big box stores throughout the country. The sapwood of both trees is not resistant to rot and decay, although this makes up a smaller percentage of the wood found in a tree than the heartwood. For cedar, an oil-based, semi-transparent stain will still give the cedar its natural look while penetrating the wood to prevent moisture damage. The natural color of redwood means that over time the redwood will keep its color better than cedar, particularly if you opt for a higher grade. The Western version is the most widely available and has a reddish hue but nowhere near the extent of redwood. Cedar is widely available, while many wont be able to source redwood lumber locally. Use of fasteners compatible with the wood is critical. According to the Janka hardness scale, redwood clocks in at 420 lbs per square foot while Western Red Cedar is 350 lbs per square foot. Redwood has many of the benefits of cedar but is a stronger, slightly more dense wood. Both require maintenance, which well cover below.
These days, old-growth redwood trees are not commercially harvested, but even smaller redwoods dwarf commercial cedar trees. However, you notice the difference when working with the wood redwood feels a bit more solid than the cedar. Properly cared for, each provides exceptional value. It is also harder to find as you get further away from where it grows. redwood s4s lumber ft construction heart window close Cedar is the most popular decking and fencing alternative for those who want something a little fancier or more natural-looking than pressure-treated wood. lumber A redwood deck is a great selling feature for a listed home and has an exotic quality that cedar doesnt quite bring. Of course, purchasing clearer redwood will cost you, but thanks to the variety of redwood grades, you can purchase clear planks for visible portions of your deck and fence, while the less visible portions can get pieces that are construction grade. Widely available: deck/fence boards and dimensional lumber, Naturally rot, decay, and insect resistant, Extremely resistant to rot, decay and insects. lumber redwood heart framing ft depot studs mendocino forest construction s4s pack decking homedepot con materials As saplings, they can grow up to 7 feet in one year. Below well outline the pros and cons of cedar decking and fencing. Properly constructed, a fence can stand for years and years regardless of weight. If I want a good P.T. redwood lumber depot ft construction cedar 2x4 s4s homedepot common premium framing plastic fence mendocino forest building inch material fir You just cant beat the price of cedar versus redwood. Otherwise, go with cedar and make sure to maintain it regularly. Annual cleaning with soap and water, and not a pressure washer, is a must to remove mildew and any grime that can hasten the decay of the cedar or redwood. As redwood trees grow extremely fast and tall it stands to reason that each growth ring would be spaced further apart. ! " With that said, each type of lumber has advantages and disadvantages. lumber mendocino s4s One issue that youll encounter with fences and not so much with decks is that the lumber of your fence will come into contact with the ground. 29 / each. But as we take a closer look, youll notice that the two are quite different, particularly when it comes to look and availability. Redwood is more durable, but the cost is around 20% more expensive, on average, than cedar. redwood plywood lumber Many deck owners with redwood decking can get burned by the fasteners they use. In looking for the wood and decking, I went to home depot and lowes. A premium Western Red Cedar stud of the same length is $19. lumber redwood rough ft cedar common construction mendocino forest depot homedepot Redwood grain is spaced further apart but is also fairly even. As its name suggests, redwood has a reddish-brown color that will make it look very different from cedar. Its cheaper, just as durable particularly cedar decking and it is more versatile when stained. treated wood grooved depot proguard sienna micropro lumber canada pressure However, the redwood sapwood the wood on the outer edges is yellowish and will appear more like cedar and cheaper. The colors vary, with redwood being darker and less amenable to stain. - The Home Depot new www.homedepot.com Treated balusters are used not only for safety and strength, but they also aid in creating a custom look to your railing project. Redwood trees are found on the Pacific Coast in the Northwest. If you are installing cedar decking or fencing yourself, then youll love how easy it is to cut and lift. If you dont maintain either type of wood, their lifespan is reduced. Home Page; About Intro. But expect a minimum of 2 years and a max of 5 years for recoating, with the average being 3 years for re-staining. Of course, there are many different types of extractives found in a tree that make them rot and decay resistant, but in general, these properties make the trees very durable as lumber.
lumber ft studs framing redwood construction depot 2x4 pine spruce common treated kiln dried fir heat standard better mendocino forest Redwood trees have tannic acid, an extractive that gives the tree its natural coloring and makes it difficult for insects to burrow through as much of the tannic acid is in the actual bark of the redwood tree. Both will last up to 15 years give or take untreated but after that, expect to see serious rot or decay if you continue to neglect treatment. Many areas of the country require you to source redwood from a local lumber dealer, who will then have to order it, forcing you to wait for an undetermined amount of time to get lumber you havent had the chance to inspect before purchasing it. Semi-transparent is best because it blocks UV light, while transparent wont. I knew that whenever the time came for me to build my deck, it would be either redwood or cedar. Both have high rot resistance and are durable. Big box stores like Lowes or Home Depot do not stock redwood in many of their stores, particularly as you get further away from the Pacific Northwest. Intro Property Turkey. grooved fence rail redwood ft mendocino forest expanded open One of the main differences in appearance will be the number of knots found in the wood. If you take a glance above at the pros and cons, youll notice that these woods are similar. Because of their size, it is easier to find redwood lumber that is clear free of knots.
