Wood Decking Product Guide

Cedar has been used as a source of building materials for centuries, and maintains its popularity as decking for very good reasons. Cedar is:

  • naturally resistant to moisture
  • resistant to insect-damage
  • resistant to UV ray damage

Cedar Appearance

The popularity of cedar also stems from how strikingly attractive it is, delivering a unique, and enduring look to any decking project.  Cedar appears in golden to reddish hues when first milled. Even left in its natural state without treatment, red cedar ages gracefully to a subdued sylvan gray tone, proving it to be one of the most naturally attractive wood decks on offer. 

Cedar Decking Advantages

Cedar is one of the most naturally adapted materials around for any exterior use, and as decking, it excels.

  • cedar is easy to saw and nail.
  • cedar is more lightweight than many other varieties of wood decking,
  • cedar is extremely stable and less likely to warp when compared to many other varieties of wood decking
  • cedar has naturally occurring chemicals within it that preserve it from rain, UV rays, insect damage, and from clip or nail corrosion. 
  • cedar is also valued for the visual effect it has on a property; cedar is valued for lending a warmth and comfortable atmosphere that has been celebrated for generations.  

Sealers and Stains for Cedar Decking

In order to preserve the look of your deck when it is installed, and to add a layer of protection against the elements, sealers for cedar decks are the answer.  There are various products on the market which are suited to sealing a cedar deck.  Ask your local retailer about the latest varieties and brand names and always follow the instructions on the labels of any products you buy. 

It is best practice to test any products like this on a sample piece of decking, or on a small portion of an installed deck.  This is the best means of gauging how it will look when applied to the entire deck surface.

Delivery Options For Cedar Decking

  • Residential delivery. This is a curb-side delivery, which means that you will be responsible for unloading the vehicle yourself. Make sure you’ve got enough resources to make sure you’re not overextending yourself.  Get as much help as you need, usually a couple of people.  There are no liftgate options for this type of delivery.
  • Commercial delivery. A warehouse address with an unloading ramp, and access to a forklift will be necessary for this type of delivery.
  • Terminal delivery.  You can arrange to have your order delivered to your closest delivery point as specified by our trucking partners.  For this, enter your zip/postal code in the pulldown menu at this stage in the ordering process.
  • Distribution point pick-up. BuildDirect has a number of distribution points from which you can pick up an order of composite decking, currently in Tacoma WA, and York, VA. You will need a flat-bed trailer or truck which can be loaded by way of industrial forklift to enable this type of delivery.

Quick Cedar Decking Buying Tips



  • Consider your location.  Think about issues of exposure to the elements, how the deck will accentuate the benefits (or shortcomings) of the whole property in terms of access to various rooms or overall effects on traffic, issues of privacy, and so on.
  • Choose a deck plan. These can be sourced from decking professionals, online decking resources, and can even be designed yourself depending on your level of expertise.  When considering deck plans, it is very important to consult local building codes to make sure your proposed deck is within legal specifications.
  • Choose a deck plank length.  Cedar decking is available in a range of lengths which commonly range from 8’ to 16’ with standardized industry packaging.
  • Choose railings and accessories.  BuildDirect has a number of choices in deck railings to consider – wood and aluminum railing posts, pickets, and tops along with a choice in glass panels for decking.  Talk to a BuildDirect rep about which deck railing products make the most sense for your needs.
  • Hire a professional deck installer. When faced with a cedar decking project while having little or no experience in doing such a job yourself, it often makes sense to consult the professionals.  This is the best way to avoid onsite damage, injury, or costly errors that may make a project more expensive in the long run.
  • Order extra.  It is a good idea to allow approximately 2-10% for acceptable damage during transit.  Order this much over and above your requirements will make for a wider selection of lumber from which to choose, and make sure that you don’t face a shortfall, which would otherwise delay.
  • Record excessive damages on delivery.  Keep all materials, including any packaging or labels, and make sure to contact BuildDirect in order to begin the process of resolving the issues. DO NOT INSTALL DAMAGED MATERIALS.