Project Planning & Tips

Lumber Grades

The type of project can determine the grade of redwood best suited for that application.  There are over thirty different grades of redwood lumber including general purpose grades and specialized grades for a single use. There is a grade of redwood for almost any application suitable for wood. Our staff can guide you through the process to ensure you get the best product available. Visit the California Redwood Association website to learn more. 

Bulk Material Coverage

Valley Redwood offers a large selection of Bulk Materials for landscaping, driveways, pathways, concrete, and more. We also offer delivery. See our Landscape Materials page for photos and information on the products we offer. We also sell our bulk materials by the bag, for smaller projects and fill in. Click the button for a useful coverage chart to calculate how much material you will need for your project.

D-I-Y Tips

Valley Redwood is committed to offering the best in customer service and customer satisfaction. We want to help you complete your project. Our friendly and knowledgeable employees are here to assist with design assistance, installation questions, and more. Stop in today to have your questions answered! Here are some helpful tips to get you started…

Fasteners

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. We stock Simpson “Z-Max” harware, which is the new standard for pressure treated installation. We also sell “Fastap” brand screws and Hot Dipped, Galvanized nails.

Finishes

Finishes will enhance the performance of any exterior wood project, so it is important to coat all surfaces with a water repellent wood preservative before installation. We sell Copper Green protective spray for using on cut-ends and the back side of ledgers.

Cleaners/Brighteners

Unfinished redwood tends to darken, then ultimately weathers to a soft driftwood gray. If you desire to keep your deck looking new, we have the products you need. Cabot brand cleaner, brightener, and strippers are the preferred products of our customers to revive and revitalize redwood decks all over the Sacramento area.

Decking Stain

To achieve a lasting redwood color or any other hue, water repelling, oil-based deck stain may be used. Our brand of choice is Penofin Stains, which feature five colors for a variety of finished looks.

Finishing Tips

When Staining your deck…

Do:

  • Make sure surfaces are clean and dry.
  • Use water repellents, stains and bleaching oils, which contain mildewcides.
  • Permit new structures built with unseasoned redwood to air-dry one month before finishing.
  • Use a brush or roller for application

Don’t:

  • Don’t use spray systems to apply finishes.
  • Don’t use varnishes, lacquers or other film-forming finishes.
  • Don’t mix incompatible finishes – always follow manufacturer’s directions.

4836 Auburn Blvd.

Sacramento, Ca. 95841

916.334.9500

info@valleyredwood.com

Hours of Operation

Mon. -  Fri. 7:30 - 4:30

Sat.  7:30 - 4:00

Closed Sunday

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