Due to its beauty and long-lasting performance, Redwood is a popular building material and an environmentally smart decision. It has dimensional stability and natural durability. Here at Eastside Lumber & Decking, we stock a wide variety of Con Heart and Clear Heart Redwood, and offer it in Rough or S4S (smooth 4 sides).
Characteristics
Heartwood color can range from a light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown. Sapwood is a pale white/yellow.
Redwood has closed pores and a medium texture. The grain is typically straight, but may occasionally be wavy or irregular. Figures such as curly grain and/or burl clusters are occasionally seen.
Redwood has a distinct odor when being worked.
Durability
In regards to decay resistance, redwood is rated moderately durable to very durable, with lumber from old-growth trees tending to be more durable than that from younger second-growth trees.
Workability
Typically easy to work with using hand tools or machinery, but planer tearout can occur on figured pieces with curly, wavy, or irregular grain. It also glues and finishes well.
Background
Capable of attaining heights of nearly 400 feet, Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is the world’s tallest tree species. It grows on the Pacific coast of northwestern United States, where heavy rainfall and cool, damp air create a unique environment for these trees. Redwood lumber is very soft and lightweight, with a decent strength-to-weight ratio. It is also exceptionally stable, with very little shrinkage or seasonal movement.