Guides to western red cedar quality

f f |ESTERN red cedar lrom the lU Pacific Coast states and British Columbia. Canada, can be used in many ways both inside and outside a residence or commercial building' lts versatility makes it equally good for professional builders and remodelers or do-it-yourselfers.

I)ealers can emphasize its appear-

STANDARD SIZES . WESTERN RED CEDAR

ance, workability, durability, in place dimensional stability, strength, natural insulation, natural preservatives, lack of pitch and ability to hold stain and paint. They also can count on the quality of cedar and the ability of each grade to do the job for which it is intended. A dealer can help his customers to save money bY helping them to select the right grade for each job.

Story at a Glance

Ways you can use cedar's quality to sell . . charts to help your customers choose the right grades performanceand estimating guides.

Seasoned (dry) products are the most dependable for the majority of applications, but unseasoned (green) boards can be used successfully in many applications.

Western red cedar comes in both clear and knotty grades as well as a number of patterns including bevel siding, channel and tongue and groove. lt adapts to board and batten or board on board. The availability of both smooth and sawn (rough) textures gives the product a variety of grain, texture and visual appearances.

STANDARD CLEAR GRADES - WESTERN RED CEDAR

Free of knots and imperfections; for use where the highest qudlity appearance is desired.

Includes some mixed grain and minor growth characteristics. Includes mixed grain, limited characteristics and occasional cutoub in longer pieces.

Similar to A Grade, but graded from sawn face.

Admits larger and more numerous characteristics than A or B grades.

Finest appearance with clear face, few minor characteristics.

Recommended for fine appearance. Mav include minor imperlections or growth characteristics. '

Permits larger and more characteristics, but may have short lengths of fine appearance.

STANDARD KNOTTY GRADES - WESTERN RED CEDAR

Has fine appearance and includes knob and minor markings.

Limited characteristics allowed to assure high degree of serviceability.

Allows more characteristics than Construction.

Includes larger and more numerous markings and knob; often yields shorter pieces ol higher grades.

*For more information on Cedar grades consult the Weslern Red Cedar Grade Guide, Publication No. 614 available from Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.

Shipping mixtures for western red cedar are standard & better N.P.S. (no prior selection), which means that the higher grades have not been removed. Standard grade allows more natural characteristics than select and quality knotty grades.

Dealers can help their customers to specify the most suitable and economical grade for their particular project.

The charts accompanying this article can be helpful in determining standard sizes in paneling and siding, bevel siding, finish and fascia trim and dimension material. Grade descriptions ofthe various products can guide a customer in selecting exactly what he wants. The amount of material needed can be determined using the coverage estimator.