Western red cedar matches style and budget

AsrcNrFrcANT MARKET reset over .I-Lthe past several years has redefined the way consumers live and spend, and created a need for distributors to shift the way they specify and supply materials.

Today's selective marketplace casts more scrutiny on building products than ever before. Materials have to stand up to demanding construction and environmental expectations, all while returning value from source to supplier to end user.

Materials must meet the demand for inspired design that is durable and timeless. Building products have to look good, be environmentally conscious, and deliver a retum on investment. Identifying materials that deliver well-rounded value is where the distributor plays an important role.

Once a nice-to-have. green is now a given. Materials that combine independently verified environmental qualities with unquestioned beauty, durability and functionality achieve the greatest return.

For those reasons, western red cedar is a desirable choice, especially for siding and decking projects. Renewable and readily available, western red cedar infuses natural beauty, warmth and a uniquely real aesthetic appeal into projects large and small. Ideas, tips and how-to information can be found at wrcla.org.

Rising consumer conf idence among upper-income households has driven increased home-related spending and created a surge in home repair and remodeling. Remodel projects are still carrying the load in residential construction, even as the new construction housing market has shown some encouraging signs.

An evolving family dynamic has put added pressure on homeowners to accommodate multi-generational households. As a result, motivated homeowners are turning to professional contractors and tackling projects themselves to transform need into reality.

Spring is the most popular time of year for renovation. Room additions or enhancing decks and outdoor spaces are at the top of many to-do lists-but far from the only home improvement pursuits. Projects range from the practicality of adding indoor or outdoor living space to the beauty ofenhancing curb appeal. Some blend the two to create a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor.

Western red cedar adds value to a home, deck and outdoor living space. The wood's deep hues, natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage, and straight grain and texture make it one of the most workable, rewarding and versatile woods. Its dimensional stability, the result of low density and shrinkage factors, allows the wood to lie flat, stay straight, and hold fastenings tightly.

Hailed by both contractors and doit-yourself experts alike, wood's ability to lend warmth to modern and monolithic designs and to the surrounding environment is unquestioned. The stylish texture and rusticcolored warmth of western red cedar defines a mood and character, especially when building a stylish deck.

Wood's return on investment is also an important consideration. Woods like western red cedar typically recoup between 697o and 787o of their initial costs when a home is resold, according to industry experts.

Materials that combine timeless appeal, durability and a reputation for being easy to maintain are popular choices for a lasting impression. They deliver the value today's consumer is looking for and look good doing it.