Landscape Architecture Quality landscape architecture demands materials that are beautiful and long lasting. Wood used outdoors must withstand environmental elements, yet retain its symmetry and aesthetic purpose. Redwood is the one wood that meets these landscaping requirements.
Redwood Decks are Outdoor Rooms Redwood decks are living rooms. Breakfast rooms. Exercise rooms. Rooms for sunbathing. Rooms for gatherings of friends and family. Rooms for quiet times with a good book. Outdoor rooms are different from ordinary rooms. They serve as an intermezzo between home and nature. The air is fresh. You can feel the sun’s warmth and smell the garden.
Quality landscape architecture requires building materials that are beautiful and long lasting. Materials need to withstand environmental elements yet retain their symmetry and aesthetic purpose. Redwood has a well-earned reputation for meeting these requirements. Equally important, there are cost-effective redwood grades to specify for every project, whether it is a public plaza or a residential garden. Performance is more than durability.
BG rad e BH ea rt Redwood grades are established in the Standard Specifications for Grades of California Redwood Lumber issued by the Redwood Inspection Service. Properly grademarked lumber will bear the RIS mark or that of another accredited inspection bureau.
Sizes of Garden Grade Lumber Unseasoned Lumber, Nominal and Actual Thickness Nominal Actual S2S 3⁄4 1 11⁄4 11⁄2 2 21⁄2 3 4 5 6 Over 6 11⁄16 25⁄32 11⁄32 19⁄32 19⁄16 21⁄16 2 9⁄16 3 9⁄16 41⁄2 51⁄2 Off 1⁄2 Width Nominal Actual S2E 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 Over 12 19⁄16 2 9⁄16 3 9⁄16 4 9⁄16 5 9⁄16 73⁄8 9 3⁄8 113⁄8 Off 5⁄8 Grain Lumber has either flat or vertical grain. Orders for Clear All Heart and Clear may specify a grain. Garden grades are shipped as mixed grain but can be fieldselected for desired use.
Redwood Decks Redwood decks create a natural focal point for outdoor living environments. As walking surfaces and entertaining areas, decks organize large spaces and reclaim irregular or sloped land. Redwood stairs and walkways provide attractive footpaths. Redwood decks range from simple platforms to multi-level projects using a variety of shapes and amenities. Openings in the deck surface can allow for plantings and incorporate elements of outdoor furniture. Decking may be parallel or diagonal.
Redwood Shelters Redwood Planters and Seating Redwood Fences Overhead structures of redwood give the finishing touch of shelter to comprehensive landscaping, creating shade and spatial definition. Post-and-beam frames support pitched or horizontal rafters, spaced for varying degrees of shade or to hold finer scale screening. Canvas or plastic coverings provide rain protection. In some situations permanent roofing is appropriate. Vertical trellis panels offer protection from sun and wind.
Finishes Penetrating finishes should be applied to clean dry surfaces as soon as possible after construction is completed. Prefinishing is advantageous in that all surfaces of the lumber can be treated. Uses Finally, don’t use clear film-forming varnishes, lacquers or “shake and shingle” type paints on exterior redwood. La tex Pa int s La c Va que rni rs sh / es Redwood Finishes over a stain-blocking latex primer formulated for redwood.
Fasteners Storage All nails, fasteners and hardware must be stainless steel, aluminum or top-quality, hot-dipped galvanized (electroplated galvanizing is not acceptable). Poor quality fasteners will react with redwood’s natural, decay-resisting extractives causing unsightly stains. Redwood lumber should be stacked flat, supported 6 inches off the ground and protected with a waterproof cover that permits air circulation.
California Redwood Association 405 Enfrente Drive, Suite 200 Novato, CA 94949-7206 Telephone 415-382-0662 Toll Free 888 Cal-Redwood Fax 415-382-8531 www.calredwood.
