Cedar Decks
If you’re looking for a drop-dead gorgeous deck, look no further than cedar. Cedar is an all-weather, naturally decaying and insect resistant wood with beautiful grains, textures and colours.
Cedar generally falls somewhere between pressure treated and composite decking in terms of price, and requires varying levels of upkeep and maintenance depending on the look you’re after.
Gillespie Decks is proud to offer premium eastern white cedar decking from Lanark Cedar and premium western red cedar.
Cedar FAQ
Do I have to stain my cedar deck?
No, you do not have to stain a cedar deck; some homeowners allow cedar to grey naturally. There are both advantages and disadvantages to choosing to stain your cedar deck – what’s right for your deck depends on your personal taste.
When can I stain my Cedar deck?
This is a tricky question – beware of simple answers. Cedar should not be stained until the moisture level of the deck has dropped below somewhere in the 17-20% range. As it’s very difficult to gauge when this occurs, we recommend waiting one month, and up to two to three months if you’ve built your deck in an unusually wet summer. Take extra care in applying your first deck stain, however, as the first finish applied to a new cedar deck is the most important one, and any mistakes made are very difficult to undo.
How often does my cedar deck need to be stained?
Cedar decks, once stained, should be re-stained every 1-2 years to maintain their colour.
Can I power wash my cedar deck?
While you can power wash your deck, we don’t recommend it. It’s very difficult to find the right amount of pressure to apply to a cedar deck, and the amount of time saved by using a pressure washer likely won’t make up for the damage you risk doing to your deck by stripping or damaging it with too much pressure.
I’ve heard my deck lasts longer if it’s allowed to dry quicker after it gets wet, is this true?
Yes – a deck that dries after wetting will last longer than one that stays damp. Good maintenance practices for cedar decks include allowing proper water drainage; keeping the surface free of dirt, leaves, pine-needles and other debris; and moving planters, benches and other deck accessories from time to time to permit the deck beneath them to dry thoroughly.
