Looking to build a Red Cedar deck.
I was told that Red Cedar will start to splinter after 1 year, and is terrible for handrails and decking.
Is this true? Or just an old timers ornery opinion?
I’ve done a lot of PT, and recently composite and mahogany. This would be my first project with Cedar.
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Replies
I think the problem is that most cedar decking these days is from tiny, young growth trees. It is not the dense, dark, beautiful old growth that you might think of as cedar.
In any case, I would look long and hard at the Ipe type woods before I would use cedar for anymore decking.
red cedar is a beautiful material for both rails & decks
has no predilection to splintering but it's long straight grain can contribute to mighty big splinters
sands & tools easily
for a grade you might want to consider about a D clear grade ( beautiful ) which nowadays is usually more expensive than clear ipe you could get
I have been doing a lot of decks latley and have used cedar a lot. If you seal it right away and keep up on the matinece it will do you fine if not there right splinters.