Cedar Decking and Fencing in Edmonton: What to Know Before You Buy

Cedar is the most popular choice for decks and fences around Edmonton because it resists rot and insects naturally, stays stable through freeze and thaw cycles, and looks better than pressure-treated wood. Here is what to know before you buy.

Deck boards: sizes and spacing

The standard cedar deck board is 5/4 × 6 (about 1 inch by 5 1/2 inches actual). Run it over joists spaced 16 inches on centre; wider spacing lets the boards bounce. Leave a gap of about 1/8 inch between boards so water drains and the wood can move.

Fence boards and posts

Fence boards are typically 1 × 6 cedar on a 2 × 4 or 2 × 6 rail frame. Use 4 × 4 posts for most fences and 6 × 6 posts for gates and taller fences. Set posts below the frost line, which in the Edmonton area is deep, so check your local requirement before you dig.

Use the right fasteners

Cedar contains natural extractives that react with plain steel and leave black streaks. Use stainless steel or coated screws rated for cedar, and pre-drill near board ends to stop splitting.

Finish it, or let it go grey

Unfinished cedar weathers to a silver grey in a season or two. To keep the warm colour, use a penetrating decking oil such as OSMO Decking Oil, which soaks in instead of forming a film that peels. Plan to re-oil every one to two years, depending on sun exposure.

Order the right amount

For deck boards, divide the deck width by the board width plus gap to get the number of runs, then multiply by the length. Add about 10 percent for cuts and waste. We stage orders for pickup and load them into your vehicle.

Where to buy

Shop cedar lumber and deck and fence boards, or read our cedar decking guide. Kingma Lumber is at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton, (780) 229-7681.