Q & A

How often do I need to treat or seal (refinish) redwood?

  • There are a variety of factors at play including, exposure to sun, year round climate, and personal preference.  There is no right or wrong answer.  We recommend a light sanding before applying a seal which allows for deeper penetration.

Should redwood be allowed to weather before it receives a finish or seal? 

  • Not usually.  If you choose to finish redwood, as soon as the project is completed, it should receive a quality finish containing water repellents, a mildewcide, and UV protection.  Allowing wood to weather prior to finish application can result in premature coating failure.  If you choose to allow redwood to weather to a natural soft driftwood gray, the wood will gradually grow darker and you might experience more wood slivering over time.

How long does redwood furniture and decking last?

  • Redwood has a natural resistance to shrinking, warping and checking.  With careful product selection, proper installation and basic maintenance, wood decking and furniture will provide decades of satisfaction.

Does the furniture require assembly? 

  • No.  The furniture ships fully assembled and securely shrink wrapped on a pallet via enclosed container truck to residential or commercial addresses in the continental USA.

Does redwood furniture and decking get hot in the summer sun? 

  • No.  Redwood is excellent for hot, sunny applications as it stays cool and steady all summer long. 

How does redwood compare to other woods?

  • Stability - Redwood is far less likely to warp, check, cup or split. Redwood has the least volumetric shrinking of any commercial American wood. It shrinks only 1.7% across the vertical grain and 3.3% across the flat grain from a green, unseasoned condition with a 10% moisture content.
  • Durability - Unlike some pressure-treated woods, redwood heartwood has natural decay and insect resistance throughout the lumber, not just on the surface. This means cut ends, nail holes and all exposed wood.
  • Finish Retention - Redwoods ability to take or hold finishes is excellent. Because it contains little or no pitch or resins (sap) and has a unique cellular structure, redwood retains finishes longer and more effectively than most woods.
  • Fire Resistance - Redwood is not incombustible, but it is highly resistant to fire because it has no volatile resins (sap) and oils.
  • Physical Characteristics - Redwood is one of the lightest softwoods used for structural purposes, weighing only 28 pounds per cubic foot with a 10% moisture content. At the same time, it is comparatively strong.

 

Does redwood furniture and decking present an elevated fire danger?

  • No.  One of redwood's characteristics is a natural flame resistance.  In September 2005, California adopted new fire-related building standards and stated that redwood Construction Common or better grades of redwood may be used without restriction throughout California's fire-prone wildlands.  In fact, redwood heartwood decking out-performed newer composite materials in wildland fire simulations performed by the University of California.

 

Are alternative (composite) wood products maintenance free?

  • No decking product is maintenance free.  Contrary to the potential misconception that composite wood products are maintenance free, there are an increasing number of products entering the market to repair and maintain composite products, which speaks to this question.  Both solutions, natural wood and composite wood, have their pros and cons and depend on project objectives and other factors.  

Visit our responsibility page for additional information.