It’s easy to love your wood pergola, deck, playset, or outdoor space when the sun is shining and it’s all board shorts, cookouts, and kids kicking around in the grass.
But it’s extreme weather that tests a wood’s mettle. That’s why we prefer cedar for our outdoor projects. And Western Red Cedar’s proven, natural ability to withstand extremes—from ground contact to wicked weather—proves its beauty is backed up by brawn.
To make even more of what we build with cedar, here’s a tip:
Pre-stain parts where possible. We do this for pergolas and fences where so many major elements are pre-cut before installation. We use big sawhorses workstations made from Jawhorses to support the material; the technique is not entirely practical for something like a deck.
The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association recommends an oil-based, tinted stain. To apply it, I use a brush and apply two coats. It’s important to make sure to saturate the end-grains.
Now that’s beauty in the extreme.
