13 Sep It’s All Possible With Redwood
There’s a business axiom about how most customers want their vendors to deliver a product quickly, inexpensively, and to the level of quality expected—but can only reasonably expect two out of the three criteria be met. The same assumptions could be made about landscaping designs: most customers want something that’s beautiful to look at, will last a long time, and is environmentally friendly, but often believe they can’t have it all.
With redwood, it’s more than possible. It’s been proven, time and again, for generations.
This has been on my mind recently as I prepare to speak with landscape professionals at the Sacramento Landscape Expo about how redwood is a sustainable building product. With our organization’s long history of environmental stewardship and a reputation for some of the more progressive and voluntary forest and wildlife management programs in the world, we’ve got a lot of background experiences to draw from. What we’ve learned is that redwood makes it easy to build sustainably without sacrificing quality or elegance. This building product is renewable, recyclable, and much cleaner to produce than composites or plastics.
Redwood is also much more than a decking product. For landscaping plans, you couldn’t find a better fit for bringing beauty, color and presence into an outdoor space than a redwood timber. Redwood timbers are some of the most structurally strong softwoods found in North America, making redwood ideal for a wide range of projects where large structural components are required. It has excellent strength to weight ratio and durability, shrinks and swells less than other woods, and is less likely to warp or split. It is also naturally resistant to decay, termites and even fire. Stronger than cedar and more durable than Douglas fir, what more could your customers ask for in a timber.
In addition, if fences make the best neighbors, then redwood fences must make the greenest neighbors. A fence may be one of the hardest working elements in a landscape design. This single structure defines space, creates privacy, provides shelter and shade. Only redwood can give both the elegance and durability many homeowners seek when researching the best building materials for the project. With its natural insect and decay resistance, redwood fences also keep unwanted guests out of your yard. We produced a “Fences-For-All-Reasons” PDF booklet that provides plenty of inspiration for fence designs.
When your customers are looking for that perfect material to transition from one landscaping space to another, suggest they consider redwood. Natural products such as stone and wood create an effortless transition outdoors from the ground to the planned space. For its beauty, longevity, and environmental qualities, redwood should be at the top of every landscaping building materials list.
Redwood is not just a material for contractors. DIYers love redwood for its ease and workability. CRA’s website offers a number of free plans for all skill levels. From benches to shade structures and tool sheds, each plan offers the perfect starting point for homegrown design inspiration.
No matter the season, redwood stands out in a landscape design. Your customers can choose redwood with the confidence that their vision will be brought to life like no other wood can promise. That’s the real beauty of redwood.
– Charlie Jourdain is president of the California Redwood Association. Reach him at charlie@calredwood.org or (888) 225-7339.
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