Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 20, 1999 03:56am | #1

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   I've never used it, but thought I'd suggest you post this question in the Fine Woodworking section.

   I do know that this was the favorite domestic specie for interior trim of the brothers Greene (known for the 1908 Gamble House in Pasadena). There are many books on the Greenes that show Port Orford Cedar interiors, doors, windows, etc. (authors: Randell Makinson and Bruce Smith). It is known as a very blond wood that eventually develops a nice honey colored patina with time.

   Another reference I recently read stated that the US Navy actively bought all remaining stands and domestic stock during WWII to use in boatbuilding (apparently it has similar qualities to teak). So I'm sure that must have effected low availability today.

   I have seen it for sale occasionally here in So Cal, but it is always $12+/BF for S2S. I would think that in your area that fir and redwood would be much more available and cost effective. Good luck in your search.

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   Guest_ | Mar 20, 1999 04:15am | #2

   *here in the NW, I believe Parr Lumber carries it. I've seen it displayed in some of their stores as a premium decking material.'seems kinda a waste to use as interior material (why not use knotty pine?). And you can always get knotty WRC if you want to. I think Port Orford is used when in blond color is preferred, rather than the reddish color of WRC.

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   Guest_ | Mar 20, 1999 05:58pm | #3

   *I didn't know it had building applications. I've mostly seen it used in fine furniture from the West Coast, Japanese influenced furnituremakers, and guitarmakers. i suspect if you can get it in the sizes you need for beams, it'll cost you a fortune. I'm on the East coast, though, and we never see it except in price lists.By the way, from what I know of it, it would be way too soft for flooring.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 20, 1999 07:02pm | #4

   *Port Orford Cedar (really a Chamacyperis) is being marketed here in the east as a deck lumber, mostly radius edged, in 1x4, 1x6, 2x4, 2x6, 4x4. Plain edged 1x stock is also available. (All nominal sizes). I did a deck two summers ago and it's performing well. Cost was less than 10% more than PT, no toxics and not that ugly green.I understand that Sir Thomas Lipton would have his yachts built of nothing else.

2. 
   Joshs_ | Mar 20, 1999 08:52pm | #5

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   Parr Lumber as well as others have or can get it.Occasionaly it comes through some of the other yards in a flood in spring.Soft and easy to work, too soft for floors. We have a line on madrone that would look nice with light woods such as port oford, pine or maple. Hard but spendy.

3. 
   Ralph_S. | Mar 20, 1999 08:54pm | #6

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   I am trying to locate commercial sources for Port Orford cedar. I would like to use it for making beams in a psuedo-timberframe building as well as for trim work. If it is hard enough maybe it would make good flooring as well. I like it because it has knots in it--we are striving for a rustic look. I'm located in the Pacific Northwest.