Expanding your living space to the backyard presents fun opportunities for family dinners al fresco and weekend get-togethers with neighbors and friends. Building a deck optimizes your access to the outdoors and delivers the ultimate in relaxation and entertainment. But where to get started?
Redwood and cedar are both beautiful options for your next decking project. Choosing between the two simply depends on the look you want to achieve. Both have various grades of deck boards available. Some grades incorporate more knots and imperfections that offer a rustic finish, while fewer knots create a modern appeal. Consider the style of your home and the kind of aesthetic that suits you most.
Western Red Cedar decking is a popular choice. Considered one of the world’s most beautiful woods, it’s optimal for stains, sealers, and paints because it doesn’t “bleed” like other woods. It’s also light, durable, and easy to work with for any outdoor project. Alaskan Yellow Cedar is another attractive option with a uniform, light yellow color and even texture. It’s harder than most softwoods, though in terms of longevity, redwood decking and cedar decking are comparable as both are durable, quality woods.
Choose from a Range of Colors to Customize Your Deck
Both redwood decking and cedar decking are environmentally friendly, renewable resources offering a warm, inviting feel to enhance any backyard. Redwood is often more affordable, though the price depends on the size, accents, and staining you choose. And, if the color variation is an important factor, redwood offers more color options with its swirling effect. Whereas, cedar typically appears more uniform. However, staining is recommended both to make the wood last longer and to help with customization.
The Messmer UV Plus is available in 12 rich colors ranging from natural to charcoal gray. It provides a mildew-resistant coating and resistance to UV degradation, allowing your deck to look good longer. The Ultra Premium Red Label Penofin is another exceptional wood stain that provides extra protection against mildew and sun fading, as well as resistance to weather elements like high elevations, rain, wind, or snow. It’s available in 10 wood stain tones made with Brazilian Rosewood Oil and a pigmentation.
The selection of stains provides versatility to make your dream deck come to life. Also, modern decking options are now equipped with CAMO deck fasteners that blend into the wood and create a seamless finish. Plus, there are a variety of ways to decorate with lighting, deck rails, stairs, and outdoor furnishings, which create an endless number of ways to make the look your own.
J&W Lumber has been San Diego’s redwood specialist for over 60 years and stocks several grades of kiln-dried, air-seasoned, and green lumber to fit your project needs. Stop by your local J&W Lumber store to view lumber and wood stain samples and find the exact match for your next project.