Ray Passailaigue: Passailaigue Homes, Charleston, S.C

Custom Home, July-August, 2003 by Stephani L. Miller

In the humid summer climate of South Carolina, Ray Passailaigue was having problems with the treated native wood decks he installed on his homes: They warped, split, twisted, and splintered. Dissatisfied with this performance, he looked around for an alternative and found Brazilian redwood (or massaranduba) decking from Oregon-Canadian Forest Products. The hardwood resists splitting, twisting, and cupping.

"The product is a very high quality, dense wood. It's hard for water to penetrate the board," says Passailaigue. In fact, it's hard for nails and screws to penetrate the wood, as well, which Passailaigue solves by pre-drilling holes.

Brazilian redwood has been known to last, according to the company, more than 100 years untreated and in contact with the ground without decaying. Oregon-Canadian backs up its decking product with a 25-year warranty against rot and decay, and says the wood also resists insects. The company obtains this exotic hardwood from environmentally certified FSC forests in Brazil. Left untreated, Brazilian redwood will weather to a silver gray, while retaining its structural properties.

Brazilian redwood decking is available in deck planks and railings in lengths from 8 to 18 feet. Balusters and trim pieces are also available, as well as custom sizes. * Oregon-Canadian Forest Products. 503.647.5011. www.ocfo.com. Circle 176.