Mission

Mission Statement of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: Western Red Cedar is the voice of the cedar industry representing both Manufacturers and Distributors.

It seeks to inspire, inform and instruct architects and discerning consumers about Western Red Cedar, the ultimate green building material.

The overriding objective is to enhance the demand and to support the species' value proposition by profiling its benefits, its uses and its applications in a comprehensive market development program.

Quality And Consistency Set WRCLA Products Apart

Western Red Cedar is well known and well regarded as a superior building material with a long history of excellent performance in withstanding the rigors of time and weather. However, like any other building material, it gives its best performance when properly specified, installed and finished.

All WRCLA member mills, from the large sophisticated sawmill complexes to small family owned operations, are committed to the production of quality cedar lumber products. In fact, it is the quality and consistency of WRCLA cedar that set its products apart. Standard sizes and patterns were developed by the WRCLA to simplify the ordering and use of its members' cedar products, which are manufactured to strict product standards for the end use intended. The association has made WRCLA siding and decking products easy to identify by branding and labeling them with registered trademarks.

In addition to cedar siding and decking lumber, WRCLA mills manufacture many other products such as fencing, paneling, garden lumber, heavy timbers as well as custom and specialty items. They are available in a wide range of grades and sizes and are distributed throughout the United States and Canada through established wholesale companies and also exported world wide.

Offering Cedar Product Knowledge Is Part Of WRCLA Mandate

As the representative of 16 quality cedar producers in the United States and Canada, a major objective of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association is to help consumers understand cedar's long term benefits, its special features and to provide information on how to use it properly.

The Association provides multiple forms of training. Our on-line training program provides the opportunity for anyone in the industry to take the course at their own pace, submit the exam and receive a certificate if the grade requirement is achieved.

We are proud of our affiliation with the AIA and are pleased to offer three levels of approved dedicated training courses which provide the architect with their required training credits. These include an on-line 7.0 credit unit course. As well our Field Reps provide training for a 2.0 credit unit course and a one hour Lunch and Learn program for 1.0 units. The training programs continue to evolve to ensure they deliver value to association members.

The Association also wants to expand consumer awareness and recognition of the value and quality of WRCLA members' cedar products, which are all manufactured to high standards. Consumers who purchase WRCLA quality cedar receive the full support of the Association's technical service programs.

In addition to publishing technical literature, the Association also produces Do-It-Yourself Around Your Home DVD's and literature pieces. It takes part in trade and consumer home shows, construction industry exhibitions and other events where cedar is showcased. Specialized promotional materials are produced for both retail lumber yards and wholesale distributors of WRCLA lumber products.

The WRCLA Offers Sales And Merchandising Support

Another important WRCLA objective is to work closely with cedar retailers, wholesaler and distributors to ensure they have the information and merchandising tools they need to help customers make an informed purchasing decision. A good understanding of WRCLA product standards and grade categories can help deliver a cedar product that meets both the needs and expectations of the consumer.

The WRCLA Is In Close Touch With Builders and Designers

Good communication with builder groups, the design community and others who work and install cedar products has a high priority with the WRCLA, which is a frequent participant in exhibitions, seminars and other construction industry events. WRCLA technical literature are well known and respected. From the selection of sidings to the type of nails and application of finish coatings, the information is accurate, up to date and easy to follow.

About WRCLA

Cedar Decking

Quotes

For optimum performance, the WRCLA recommends that Western Red Cedar is preprimed or pre-finished prior to job site delivery.
Western Red Cedar produces fewer greenhouse gases, generates less water and air pollution, requires less energy to produce than alternatives and comes from a renewable and sustainable resource.
Western Red Cedar from WRCLA members is independently certified as legal and sustainable.
Western Red Cedar requires significantly less energy to produce than fibre cement or wood composite materials.
Unlike man-made alternatives, Western Red Cedar is biodegradeable.
Western Red Cedar has the lowest environmental impact when compared with other materials such as brick and fibre cement.
The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) is non profit association representing Western Red Cedar producers, distributors and retailers throughout North America.
Western Red Cedar is one of the most durable coniferous species and can be counted on to give long and trouble free service under most conditions.
Western Red Cedar is light weight, easily worked and ideal for almost all types of finishes.
Western Red Cedar has centuries of proven performance which cannot be said of new man made products.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Western Red Cedar decking shows it has the lowest environmental impact when compared with wood composite and PVC decking.
Western Red Cedar is one of the most stable softwoods, so decks stay flat and straight and resist checking.
All outdoor materials (including composite decking) require modest but regular care and maintenance.
Unlike plastic or composite decking which come from non-renewable petroleum based materials, Western Red Cedar is renewable and biodegradable.

For exterior home siding information visit www.cedar-siding.org|For wood fence, fencing, gazebo and arbor info visit www.cedar-outdoor.org