skip to main content

Porches & Decks

Incense Cedar decking - any thoughts?

14 years ago

Hi,

I am resurfacing my old PT deck and was sold on Port Orford Cedar. But where I live (eastern Massachusetts) it is very difficult to find. My lumber dealer suggested a knotty grade of Incense Cedar (not as strong as POC but stronger than WRC). We like the idea of a white cedar for better staining choices.

Anyone ever use this type of cedar? Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

john_hyatt
14 years ago
I use incense cedar 5/4 x 6'' decking as an ecno choice for decking. In 5-7 years you will be replacing rotted out boards less than that installed low to the ground.

Most of the time for a budget minded project I use 5/4 pt decking and do the handrail detail with IC cedar. J.
run53
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the response J.

Although I'm not quite sure what you are advising. My boards will be 18-24" from the ground. Are you saying I will have to replace some of them in 5-7 years and that PT would be a better choice?

Sorry for not understanding.
Mike
Related Discussions
Pre-Civil War Incense Cedar and Sequoia in Georgia
Q
Comments (20)
I'm going to check with the U of MD about this. The people in their libraries are always enormously helpful when I've used that library, even though I didn't go there. (Unlike using the National Agricultural Library, which is truly like a scene out of the 1985 film "Brazil") So hopefully that will extend to the groundskeeping staff. Do you have any idea where it was? It could be languishing there without horticulturalists knowing about it! I was told about 10 years ago there was a 45' one in Silver Spring, I need to contact the person again to get its exact location. At the time he tried to get Hines to micropropagate it but they weren't interested. (Hines did briefly sell some of his other discoveries, before they went under) I'll be the first to say some HAVE been known to die on the East Coast, but the overall success ratio is high enough to safely say the species is growable there. Unlike monkey puzzle, where the majority of them clearly die from our steam heat. If W&M had planted a grove of them and only 2 had remained, it would be fair to be more skeptical. They planted 2 and they lasted 50 years until their tops became targets for hurricanes and lightning, as we would expect. This post was edited by davidrt28 on Sat, Dec 1, 12 at 15:07
...See More
Stained cedar deck didn't last a year!
Q
Comments (2)
I haven't tried all of them, but I have yet to see a waterbased exterior stain hold up. We always use oil based sealers/stains. My area is limited by enviromental concerns, so what you can get and what I can get, are probably different animals.
...See More
WHY do I have to seal my cedar deck?
Q
Comments (21)
Reed is right. I would come in at about $900 dollars to do your deck (if it has rails on three sides and three or less steps). If you do it yourself and you mess up the prep (likely for a newbie) You will be right back out there in the spring spraying and scrubbbing and overapplying sealer on top of mold only to have it fail by summer's end again. If properly maintained your deck could last 20 years+. I've seen people save nickels using bleach cleaners and using subpar sealers. Stripper is going to cost you $100.. Pre mixed acidic brightener will be another $25..Five gallons of quality sealer will set you back $225. Renting a pressure washer (which you need to strip albeit using a nozzzle to take your pressure way down) will cost you another $125 for two days. Newbie on a deck that size prepare for two 8 hour days in the sun stripping and brightening. Another 2 or three days sealing it. So now you have $475, at least four full days and you still have no guarantee of results. Ooops did you forget to mask properly? You have three dead plants, brown grass and sealer bonded to your nice siding. Hopefully looking at this will change your mentality. You can't afford NOT to hire a professional.
...See More
New cedar deck very disappointing stain job
Q
Comments (2)
I don't think you let it dry enough before staining. Ron
...See More
john_hyatt
14 years ago
Its a trade off Run, pt will be less stable far as spliting,cracking,splinters but it will be more long lived. IC is klin dried and will be a lot more stable after install, takes finish really well,looks good but the life span is not all that great as decking.

Far as I know IC all comes from N Cal,thats where my local gets it anyway, plantation grown, young trees with a lot of sap wood. In fact there is very little hart wood in the stuff just not enough time.
J.
run53
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for clarifying. I just got off the phone with the lumber guy and they have Garapa for 2.95/lf . He said that the boards have a significant amount of color variation and as a result he would be willing to sell me 18' boards for 2.45/lf (50 cent savings per foot). He also said that if I was planning to use Penofin, it would do a good job of hiding the color variation. Is this just B.S. or something I should consider?
john_hyatt
14 years ago
Garapa is a good choice. Actually the color diferance is a good thing,I like it a lot. That sounds like a sales pitch to me but what the hay. Any tinted finish is going to blend the color of the wood not hide it, ghessssssss Man you dont want to hide it, Anyway I am not a big fan of penofin my outfit uses twp. Jon Mon
weedyacres
14 years ago
I just bought garapa 1x6 from ABS Wood for 1.75/lf. Even East Teak is cheaper than your source, at 1.91/lf. Shipping costs ($525) added up to around $.21/lf, still cheaper than your local guy. You might want to shop around.
run53
Original Author
14 years ago
The price I got was for 5/4 x 6. I'm sure that is more money. The question is how much. I'm not really sure I need 5/4.
weedyacres
14 years ago
They told me that if your deck is at least 2 feet off the ground it's sufficiently ventilated for 1x6.

East Teak's 5/4x6 is 2.70/lf as a point of reference.
run53
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks weedy....turns out I am going the budget route. I'll probably go with the Incense Cedar at $1.10 /lf for 5/4 x 6

I know the project won't come out as nice as garapa (or last as long) but money is tight now.
john_hyatt
14 years ago
Go for it Run...My local is selling that for.65 but what the hay. J.
run53
Original Author
14 years ago
john...wow, that's a good price. Must be a location thing. I can't find anything under $1.00 in the Boston area. Mostly in the 1.1 to 1.5 range. Sounds like you've got some cedar experience. Even though it wouldn't be your choice for decking, do you see any advantages/disadvantages between the different types....Port Orford Cedar,Western Red Cedar and incense Cedar? All are readily available here in knotty grade (except POC which is a 4-5 week wait).
john_hyatt
14 years ago
Its the shiping from the left coast. If I had to make a choice between the three it would be PO. J.

Related Stories

DIY PROJECTS Make Your Own Barn-Style Door — in Any Size You Need

By No. 29 Design

Low ceilings or odd-size doorways are no problem when you fashion a barn door from exterior siding and a closet track

CONTEMPORARY HOMES My Houzz: Living Simply and Thoughtfully in Northern California

By Hoi Ning Wong

Togetherness and an earth-friendly home are high priorities for a Palo Alto family

DECKS Decking Materials Beyond Basic Lumber

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about softwoods, tropical hardwoods, composites and more for decks, including pros, cons and costs

WOOD Knotty and Nice: Highly Textured Wood Has a Modern Revival

By Mary Jo Bowling

Whether it's cedar, fir or pine, if a wood has a knot, it's hot

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Choosing a Deck: Plastic or Wood?

By Vanessa Brunner

Get the pros and cons of wood, plastic, composite and more decking materials, plus a basic price comparison

PATIOS Patio Details: Simple Materials Make for a Sophisticated Space

By Annie Thornton

Low water bills and minimal maintenance are just part of the beauty of this handcrafted backyard deck and patio

MOST POPULAR What to Know About Adding a Deck

By Mitchell Parker

Want to increase your living space outside? Learn the requirements, costs and other considerations for building a deck

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Refinish a Wood Deck

By Christine Tusher

Keep your deck looking its best — and save feet from splinters — by applying a new stain and sealant every year or so

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Build a Beautiful Platform Deck in a Weekend

Create a polished outdoor space for entertaining by building a basic DIY platform deck in your own backyard

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Book to Know: 'Deck Ideas That Work'

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Considering a new deck? Peter Jeswald's handy volume offers loads of design and material ideas

Sponsored

More Discussions

Take it to the next level of CUTENESS

7

Advice on sliding pocket patio doors - La Cantina or other

5

Should entry doors match?

6

how can I add privacy to this screened porch?

12

new shutters? door paint

7