Instructions / Assembly
W E S T E R N R E D C E D A R
Decking
To Cover 100 Square Feet of Deck
Nominal Size (in.) Linear Feet
1-1/4 x 4 325
2 x 4 325
1-1/4 x 6 211
2 x 6 211
Thickness Width Span
(in.) (in.)
Grade Category
(in.)
1-1/4 4
All clear grade
categories
16
1-1/4 4
All knotty grade
categories
12
1-1/4 6
All clear and knotty
grade categories
16
2 4
All clear and knotty
grade categories
24
2 6
All clear and knotty
grade categories
24
Allow a Western Red Cedar deck to dry thoroughly prior to
the application of a penetrating stain so that the wood will
absorb the stain readily.
Use high quality, penetrating deck stains. Remember when
it comes to coatings, it is important to focus on quality not
price.
Never apply film forming finishes like paints and solid
stains to decks that are exposure to the weather. These
coatings will flake or peel which will require stripping or
sanding prior to re-finishing. Paints and stains may work
on covered or three season porches.
CARING FOR YOUR DECK
Most people think of regular landscaping maintenance,
but deck maintenance is equally as important. All decks
regardless of the material they are made from require
some degree of maintenance. Even decks made of Western
Red Cedar, one of the best performing wood species for
outdoor applications, need occasional maintenance to keep
them in top shape. Regular deck upkeep enables a cedar
deck to last for years, even decades.
• Keep the deck surface and spaces between the boards
free from debris.
• Movefurnitureandplanterboxesfromtimetotime.
• Keep the deck surface clean as dirt can feed mold
growth.
• Washthedecksurfaceperiodicallywithanon-phosphate
detergent.
• Keepmoldandmildewgrowthundercontrolbyapplying
a mild bleach solution. Oxygen bleach or cleaners
containing oxygen bleach should be used for this task.
These will need to be left on the deck for 30 minutes to be
effective.
• Avoid the use of chlorine bleach as it can damage the
wood.
• Rinsethedeckthoroughlyafterusingcleaners.
• Alwayscleanthedeckpriortoapplicationorre-application
of deck stains.
Design Your Deck - Online at www.wrcla.org
Span
Span
Approx.
11⁄2''
Approx. 1/8''
220 lb
Concentrated
Load at Center
Continuous Beam
Over Two Spans
To help figure the amount of decking needed for a
project, use the following linear footage calculator:
Once the decision is made to build a deck, the choice of
decking material is just as important as good design and
quality construction. In today’s environmentally conscious
society, the natural choice is Western Red Cedar.
Not only is Western Red Cedar one of the few woods
with its own preservative oils, its freedom from pitch and
resin makes it an excellent base for protective coatings.
And cedar has other natural qualities that make it the
best choice for decking. It is the most stable of British
Columbia’s softwoods, so Western Red Cedar decks stay
flat and straight and resist checking.
Western Red Cedar decks are firm but resilient underfoot,
not hard and unyielding. The wood is light weight, easily
worked and ideal for almost all types of finishes. It has an
elegance that complements any architectural style and a
beauty that blends into all landscapes.
Whatever the reasons for building a deck, there is just one
natural choice of decking material. Available in a wide
range of grades and sizes, and price-competitive with
lesser materials, Western Red Cedar decks are the beautiful,
practical, long-lasting complement to any home.
GRADES
To simplify specification, decking is now available in
four grade categories offered exclusively by members of
the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. These few
easily understood categories of decking provide a choice
of quality clear grades or rustic knotty grades for outdoor
decks of any style and budget.
SIZES AND SPANS OF WESTERN RED CEDAR DECKING
WRCLA Western Red Cedar decking is available in a
selection of thicknesses, widths and lengths as shown in
the table. Maximum spans for decking shown in the table
are based on a continuous beam with two equal spans and
a concentrated load of 220-lb at the center of one span. The
true span of the decking board is used, taking into account
the thickness of the supporting joist beneath it. Wet end-
use conditions and unseasoned (green) lumber sizes are
assumed.
Space deck boards apart to allow proper water drainage. A
deck that dries after wetting will last longer than one that
stays damp.
Moisture and debris can collect where butt joints occur
over-joists. To create drainage, butt decking boards between
double joists as shown, leaving a 1/8-in. space between the
ends of the boards.
FINISHING YOUR DECK
Protect the surface of the deck from weather exposure prior
to stain application. Never allow a Western Red Cedar to
“weather” if you intend to stain your deck.