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All-natural Western Red Cedar remains one of the most widely favored and versatile decking materials, according to the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, headquartered in Vancouver, B.C.
Decking Trends Transform Homes

Vancouver, B.C.–Turning the backyard into an outdoor living retreat is one of the hottest trends among American homeowners. It makes sense: With televisions, computers and phones in nearly every room of the house, the backyard deck is the final safe haven from life’s pressures. Escaping to a quiet corner of the yard provides a necessary respite.

But don’t be fooled: Creating a truly relaxing setting takes more than a laid back approach. There is work to be done before it will feel like a restful place. However, taking the time to do some thoughtful planning and creative thinking will pay off in a big way that will make your deck a favorite spot for your whole family.

Today’s decks are a far cry from the rectangular slabs of yesterday. They serve  different purposes than simply sunbathing and grilling, and so they are being designed and  built accordingly. In developing your own concept  for an outdoor retreat,  be sure to consider the following:

Layout. It all begins with knowing the activities you’d like to include on the deck. How much area is needed to comfortably accommodate every activity? The average size deck is 300 to 400 square feet, and the more activities you add to enjoy the outdoor experience, the larger deck required.

Having those activities in mind can help you divide the deck into different zones – one for the grill, one for the hot tub, one for a sitting area, etc. You may want to consider giving each zone its own level. Levels are a great way to define areas – a few steps up or down gives the allusion you’ve entered a new space.

Another way to distinguish deck areas is to change the deck board direction; an angle change or unique board pattern provides the subtle indication that you’re in a separate deck area. “Many of my customers are requesting distinctive board designs lately. One of the most requested is an octagon inlay underneath a Cedar table,” according to Tim Meisch, owner of Custom Cedar Decks in Mill Creek, Wash. “It’s so unique, people often mistake it for a decorative rug.”

Adding Western Red Cedar planter boxes at select locations can create focal points.
Traffic flow affects the usability of your deck. It’s all about remembering the practical realities. For example, dining areas require extra space. Grilling areas should be close to the kitchen so you’re not shuttling things back and forth more than necessary. If you want to include a conversation area with a warm fireplace for people to gather, make sure you have enough room to move around safely and comfortably.

Weather conditions can also impact layout. If you need protection from the beating rays of the sun or protection from the wind, a sheltered spot under a canopy of trees might be sensible. Or, consider building an arbor or roof over the  dining area to create more of an indoor feeling and a transition to the outdoor setting.

When choosing a grilling area location, think about the prevailing winds and pick a spot where the smoke blows away from the guests and cook. And try not to isolate the grill, as this is a common gathering area for pre-meal conversations.

Decking materials. One great way to make a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors is by incorporating a decking material that gives the impression it is an extension of the room inside. This can be done through the right selection of color and material.

While a number of imitation products have hit the market in recent years, all-natural Western Red Cedar remains one of the most widely favored and versatile decking materials. Many people choose Western Red Cedar due to its aesthetic appeal and physical properties. For centuries, Cedar has been known for its exceptional beauty, versatility and longevity. Cedar brings an exceptional all-natural look, aroma and character to outdoor spaces.

“Natural qualities of Western Red Cedar make it an excellent choice for a wide range of building projects both inside the home and outside the home,” said Peter Lang, general  manager of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. “It is one of the most environmentally-friendly building materials you can use. It’s naturally durable without the need for chemical treatment, dimensionally stable, resilient, and lightweight - unlike some plastic or imitation wood products.”

Natural qualities of Western Red Cedar make it an excellent choice for a wide range of building projects both inside the home and outside the home, according to Peter Lang, general manager of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Assoc.
Decorating. Placing some furniture just outside the main deck entrance provides a smooth segue between spaces and invites guests to move freely between the indoors and outdoors. Choose cushioned fabrics to visually tie the interior and exterior together for a cohesive look.

Built-in benches add both style and function to your deck. They make a great way to capitalize on longer stretches of decking with unobstructed views. Adding Western Red Cedar planter boxes at select locations can create focal points.  You can also add a birdbath to bring another dimension of enjoyment. With the right planning, you’ll be able to create an outdoor paradise that will become a welcome respite from the hectic pace of everyday life. For more information on making your new deck a reality, go to www.realcedar.org.

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association is a Vancouver based non-profit association representing 19 quality producers of Western Red Cedar lumber products in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia (Canada).

Founded in 1954 and known as “the voice of the Cedar industry,” the WRCLA operates customer service programs throughout the United States and Canada to support its members’ Cedar products with information, education and quality standards.

In addition to its Vancouver headquarters, the WRCLA has field offices in Washington and New York where Cedar specialists offer a Super Cedar Advisory Service for specifiers, builders and other Cedar consumers. When customers have a question about Cedar, the answer is just a phone call away.

WRCLA activities are funded by its member mills, which have an annual production of nearly 1 billion board feet and account for more than 65 percent of all the Cedar produced in the world.

Over the years the WRCLA has strived to make its Cedar as user friendly as possible by producing quality products to uniform standards and by providing the construction industry with the information it needs on WRCLA Cedar products, their specification and proper use.

WRCLA activities also include programs on product quality and standards as well as research and new product development. The association sits on a number of code and standard committees and works closely with the Forest Products Research Laboratory in Madison, Wis., and the Forintek Corp., an industry research facility in Vancouver, B.C.

(Editors note: This article provided by  the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.)

 
 
 
     
 
 

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