Q - Why should I use Cedar instead of an exterior pressure-treated lumber for my decking?

A - Cedar is a naturally rot resistant wood that requires no treatment in order to sustain a lifetime of use. Because exterior pressure treated lumber contains dangerous chemicals, like arsenic and formaldehyde, it is strongly recommended by many health agencies to not be used in an "able to touch" area.  Pressure-treated lumber, which is basically Ponderosa Pine that is pressure treated with chemical preservatives, is designed to withstand ground contact and climate changes. (See our Why Cedar? page for more info)

Designers and Builders Since 1985

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions area.  These are questions that our customers ask most often, and hopefully they will help you answer some of yours.

Q - Where does the cedar you use come from?

A - The cedar we use can be found anywhere from British Columbia to the Sacramento Mountains.  (See our What Is Cedar? page for more info)

Q - What type of wood do you use for framing the structural part of the deck? (i.e., posts, joists, beams, etc.)

A - We are required by State and Local building codes to use pressure-treated lumber for all of the under-structure framing that comes into contact with the ground.  We also use pressure-treated lumber for the framing members such as the beams and joists. We are able to use Cedar for any of the non ground contact framing members except it is not neccessarily cost effective, therefore we tend to use pressure-treated lumber unless the customer requests Cedar at an additional cost.

Q - How far below ground level do the deck posts have to be set?

A - We are required by State and Local building codes to set the posts at a minimum of 42 inches below ground level.  This is required so that the base of the posts set on a footing below the "frost/freeze" level, which on the coldest days of winter, reaches approx- imately 30 inches below ground level.  The main reason for this code requirement is to ensure that in the cold winter weather, the deck does not move up or down due to the expansion and contraction of the ground.

Q - When I go to friend's homes, I see that the deck boards are installed right next to each other with no gap in between, why is this?

A - Many times when the top of a deck is covered wih pressure-treated lumber, the boards ar initially installed right next to each other. This is customary with pressure-treated lumber because all of the chemicals that are put into the wood. They end up drying out to an extent and allowing there to be an air gap, due to the wood actually shrinking during the drying process.  With Cedar, we always install our deck boards with a 1/4 inch gap.  Cedar has no chemicals to make the wood "wet", therefore it doesn't shrink.  An air gap is always a neccessity to allow the deck to dry properly after a heavy rain.  It also cuts down on any debris or water/ice that may build up on a deck with no gaps. It allows the debris and water to have somewhere to go instead of sitting on the deck.

Q - How high off the ground can a deck be installed, before it needs a railing?

A - We are required by State and Local building codes to install a 36 inch high railing on any deck that exceeds 30 inches above ground level.

Q - Is it necessary to install a railing on a staircase?

A - We are required by State and Local building codes to install a 36 inch high railing if there is a need for more than three steps.