Selling Bedwood Online

CRA's redwood Web site is one of the busiest in the business.

During peak deck building months, the site has averaged over 2,500 visitors a day spending eight to l0 minutes learning about redwood and the projects they can build with redwood.

page (info@calredwood.org) and send your company's contact information.

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The most popular grades of redwood for decks-Deck Heart and Deck Common-are readily available. Deck Heart and Deck Common are redwood grades developed specifically to meet the demands of the deck market. Deck Heart and Deck Common are available in 2x4 and 2x6 dimensions and have design values making them ideal for outdoor decking. The recommended span for redwood decking is 24 inches on center.

E Redwood's dimensional stability is the most important property when it comes to long-lasting, natural beauty. According to the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, redwood has less volumetric shrinkage than other common softwoods. In exterior use, this means redwood stays flat and

The site first went online in 1997, but was completely revamped in 2005. Sporting a new, clean look, it is easier for visitors to navigate and extra emphasis is placed on the most popular features and topics. Construction details for redwood decks and fences continue to be number one. From May through August 2005, visitors downloaded more than 100,000 copies of the CRA's Redwood Deck Construction booklet in PDF format.

In addition to planning projects, many visitors are looking for redwood merchants, and CRA obliges with the Redwood Locator. In fact, traffic on the Redwood Locator page is second only to the product literature page. A free listing is available to redwood merchants and manufacturers of redwood specialty products.

To list your company, simply go to www.calredwood.org. Click the email link at the bottom of the straight with minimal warping, cupping or checking.

Merchants can also take advantage of the wealth of information available on the site. For example, the Frequently Asked Questions pages provide reponses to the questions customers are most likely to ask. Topics range from technical issues such as deck finishes, to forestry issues such as certification, to current issues such as Urban-Wildland Interface Fire Areas Building Standards.

When more details are needed, CRA literature is available for free downloads.

! *"Uroood heartwood has natural resistance to decay and insects. The resistance to decay and insects in redwood heartwood is present throughout the lumber, not just on the surface. The wood exposed through sawing, boring or nailing is as decayresistant as the surface.

{ Th"""', a low-maintenance option for redwood decks. With its dimensional stability and heartwood decay resistance, redwood lumber is one of few woods that can be left unfinished. This low-maintenance option results in a rustic, weathered appearance that's preferred in many parts of the country. As redwood weathers, natural color changes take place. The changes may occur over a period of years and vary from one climate to another. If desired, it's not difficult to bring back redwood's brighter colors. See the next point.

5 tn" effects of weathering can be reversed. When it's desired, redwood cleans up better than many other decking products. Simple surface stains from food and other elements are easier to remove from redwood than many composite decking products. Several commercial cleaners are available that remove discoloration and restore the bright colors of redwood. The advantage of using commercial products is that they are intended for a specific use and come

Help your cuslomers dream big dreams. \\e Redwood Design Gallery was published by CRA as an idea starter for homeowners. An 8page, tabloid-sized booklet, it features dozens ofphotos and project descriptions showcasing residential landscape architecture at its best. Projects include decks with spas, lap pools, and built-in benches. Two pages of fences show designs that range from the simple to the eleganl with comprehensive instructions. Under normal circumstances. wellmaintained decks require only periodic cleaning.

CRA is offering 100 free copies of the Gallery to redwood retailers and wholesalers. Merchants pay only the shipping cost. To order, call (888) 225-7339.

! Powerwashing has gained wide acceptance as a method of cleaning redwood decks. Properly performed, there are several advantages to powerwashing, including savings in time and labor costs. Remember, though,

Redwood Design

AShoucnse of Reiluooil Outdoor Prcjects

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