Redwood Decking

Our beautiful California Redwood

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CALIFORNIA REDWOOD ASSOCIATION

Reclaiming 1st growth redwood decking

New Growth redwood

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Redwood Decking Information

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Decks by Alter Eagle Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, California

Decks dash CA dot com - Decks and decking in the N. SF Bay area Northern California

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What decking spans should be used when designing my redwood deck?

Do I need to finish exterior redwood?

What is the truth about deck maintenance?

My redwood deck was left unfinished for several years. How should I prepare the deck and bring back its color before refinishing?

Redwood Picture

A note on redwood deck pictures

Mouse over titles for even more info

Redwood with a protective finish.

All decks require maintenance.
All decks, like all walking surfaces, require some level of maintenance. You will want to keep your deck free of dirt and debris. Your deck should be kept free of mildew. This is true for all types of decking whether it is wood or a wood plastic composite.
Redwood low-maintenance option.
Redwood is popular for decking because there are a variety of maintnenance options. For a low maintenance option you may let the redwood weather naturally. This is possible with redwood because it has greater dimensional stability than other woods. It is less likely to warp, split or check. Over time, your redwood deck will weather to a natural gray color.

A stain or finish can enhance the color of a redwood deck while giving addtional protection to wood. There are a variety of products available. The California Redwood Association recommends finishes that contain a water repellent, a mildewcide and ultra violet protection.

Construction Heart or Construction Common 2x6 decking should be nailed or screwed to joists, which are spaced no more than 24 inches on center, for diagonal decking go with 16 inches on center.

To extend the life of your deck, use finish products which contain water repellents, mildewcides and ultraviolet light blockers or absorbers. Redwood will perform better than most other woods if left without a finish. This no-maintenance option will result in a weathered rustic appearance. Color changes will depend on the local climate and overtime, many projects will weather-bleach to a soft driftwood gray. Redwood also accepts and holds a variety offinishes, from clear stains to solid color paints.

Due to cut backs in cultivation, the quality of the "construction" grades has been liberalized . The old growth redwoods are being saved (and we're in support of that!) while the new growth redwoods are being harvested. These new growth trees are small, yielding materials with a higher concentration of knots and sapwood. Redwood with high levels of sapwood will decay relatively fast, ESPECIALLY when sealed with products that try to lock out the moisture. (Many sealers can actually accelerate decay because they impede the ability for the deck boards to dry out quickly and thoroughly!) Redwood has also lost its popularity because of other options now available. You can buy alternative materials that last longer, look better (long term), and cost less.

As you get your quotes and shop for a new deck , beware of the deception that redwood deck photographs create. REDWOOD MAKES FOR A BEAUTIFUL DECK PHOTO - but ask to see a redwood deck several years old or even less. That beauty, unfortunately, is only temporary

For years the California Redwood Association has recommended the tried-and-true method of a preliminary scrub with TSP and household bleach to clean the deck and remove mildew . To remove stains and restore the natural color, oxalic acid is then applied.
Recently, however, many excellent commercially formulated deck cleaners and restorers have become available. These are based upon non-chlorine bleaches, detergents and/or oxalic acid. The manufacturers of these commercial products supply comprehensive directions.

Best location for Redwood decks

Con-heart or Construction Heart

The best way to place and fasten Redwood decking

Generally, the southwest and southeast corners of a house offer the best combination of sun and shade.

Redwood decking grades

For durability and resistance against insects and decay—redwood is graded by its color. Reddish-brown heartwood from the inner portion of the tree contains extractives that render it resistant to decay. The cream-colored sapwood that develops in the outer growth layer of the tree does not possess the heartwood’s resistance to decay and insects.As a rule of thumb, all heartwood gradesof redwood will have the word “Heart” inthe grade name.

Pictures of one of Alter Eagle's redwood deck projects

Deck Common

Redwood decking finishes

Bleaching Oils
Unfinished redwood tends to darken, then ultimately weathers to a soft driftwood gray. To achieve an immediate weathered appearance, a bleaching oil can be applied.

Decking Stains
To achieve a lasting redwood color, a water repelling, oil-based deck stain maybe used. Be sure that the stain is recommended for walking surfaces.

Naturally Weathered
Left unfinished, redwood will first darken and then willweather-bleach to a soft driftwood gray. Over time, this no-maintenance option results in a look that is preferred for a rustic appearance.

Clear Water Repellents
Clear water repellents with mildewcide can stabilize redwood's color at a buckskin tan if applied regularly.

Do
Use water repellents, stains and bleaching oils which contain mildewcide.
Make sure all surfaces are clean and dry.
Use a brush or roller for application.
Don’t
Don’t use varnishes or lacquers on exterior redwood.
Don’t mix incompatible finishes—always follow manufacturer’s directions.
Don’t use linseed oil alone as it willattract dirt and mildew.

More on Clear Water Repellents with Mildewcide

Description
Low maintenance, natural appearance with a gray-toned finish.
Effect
Provide for low maintenance and give redwood a uniformly gray or naturally weathered look.
Application
Apply with brush or roller. Lap marks and brushstrokes may show through as many include gray pigment. Use one or two coats according to manufacturer’s directions. Bleaching is aided by sunlight and moisture, so it may speed the process to periodically dampen surfaces with a fine spray from a garden hose.
Maintenance
Bleaching oils and stains provide nearly maintenance-free performance. Reapply finish only if wood begins to darken or bleaching is uneven. One refinish coat should be enough.

More on Solid Body Stains

Description
Penetrating finishes available in a variety of semitransparent colors including several redwood hues. Oil-based stains are recommended.
Effect
Provide color in a finish that lets wood breathe naturally. Semitransparent stains let the grain show through but present a uniform single color. The amount of pigment contained in stains will vary according to brand.
Application
Apply with brush for best results, next best is a roller. Avoid drips and lap marks. Two coats usually required for new wood- follow manufacturer’s directions.
Maintenance
Refinishing may be necessary every 3-5 years. Color in pigmented stains may wear away gradually after weathering. Light brushing with a bristle brush will help remove old finish in some spots. One refinish coat is usually enough.

Description
Film forming finishes available in a wide variety of opaque colors. Oil-based stains are recommended.
Effect
Provide color in a finish that lets wood breathe naturally. Opaque stains will obscure the grain but highlight the texture and have an appearance more like paint.
Application
For best results use a brush. The next best applicator is a roller. Avoid drips and lap marks. Two coats usually required for new wood- follow manufacturer’s directions.
Maintenance
Refinishing may be necessary every 3-5 years. Color in pigmented stains may wear away gradually after weathering. Light brushing with a bristle brush will help remove old finish in some spots. One refinish coat is usually enough.

It's not always possible but to minimize cupping and grain raising, flat grain redwood decking should be used with the bark side up.
Use top quality, corrosion-resistant 16-penny ringed-shank or spiral-shank nails to attach redwood decking. Smooth-shanked nails are likely to result in nail popping if green lumber and/or wet pressure-treated joists are used.
Deck screws are also quite popular. Use corrosion-resistant, self-tapping deck screws with bugle heads. They should be manufactured from hardened steel.
Electro galvanizing and other methods of zinc coating rarely show the same degree of corrosion resistance as hot-dip galvanizing.