What Is So Nice About Redwood Lumber?

Color

• Redwood lumber has a reddish-brown color throughout the wood. Many builders and homeowners are attracted to redwood's rich hue. Like most other lumber used for outdoor projects, redwood eventually turns a silvery-gray. The original color can be preserved with annual applications of oil, particularly oils that have ultraviolet light inhibitors in them.

Resistance to Decay

• The natural oils present in redwood make it resistant to attacks by fungus, molds and insects. The wood resists rot caused by moisture, although sapwood is prone to rot if it is exposed to moisture for long periods. Consequently, some redwood milling companies cut a slight arc to each board so that water can run off easily. The life span of redwood in outdoor projects is about 20 years.

Stability

• The tight grain pattern found in redwood allows boards to lie flat and resist warping and twisting. Most other woods, when left to weather in the harsh environmental cycles created by sunlight and rain, develop stability issues that result in popped nails or damaged boards.

Workability

• Redwood machines well. The wood is not as hard as oak or maple, so it saws easily and responds well to drilling and nailing. As with most woods, pre-drilling pilot holes helps avoid splitting the wood when nailing or applying screws near the ends of boards. Redwood also takes paints and stains very well.

Sustainable Resource

• About 1 million acres of redwood is farmed in the far western United States, especially in California. Over 80 percent of this land is certified by either the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program, the two most widely recognized certification programs. New coast redwood is planted as older trees are removed for lumber. A coast redwood grows quickly, to 130 feet in about 30 years.