CALIFORNIA Redwood Association has expanded its efforts to make it easier for contractors and do-it-yourselfers to locate-and be successful with-redwood.

CRA recently revised its website (www.calredwood.org), a central source for information on redwood products and forests, to update its "online locator." Now a single-click service with current information, consumers need only to enter a zip code to find lumber retailers in their area that carry redwood products. Retailers carrying redwood are listed by proximity, nearest retailer first.

CRA encourages retailers to try the locator (www.calredwood.org/ref/ locate/locate.php) to ensure the association is providing a comprehensive listing for consumers. "We have made every effort to be all-inclusive," says Bob Mion, CRA marketing director, "but we recognize the possibility that we have inadvertently missed a few retailers along the way. If we have, we want to know about it."  

Retailers wishing to be added to the locator service should email contact information to info@calredwood. org. 

The locator update is part of CRA's continuing effort to reach out to lumber retailers. "We launched a very successful pilot effort last year," says Mion. "We have some programs in place that we are ready to grow to include more retailers. Certainly, updating our website to make it easier for consumers to find the redwood products they want is consistent with our retailer services efforts."

Mion also notes that CRA's "Build a Deck, Win a Deck" promotion, which engages redwood retailers and debuted last summer in select northern California markets, is poised to expand this year.

CRA is also introducing the first of its d-i-y "how to" videos to encourage current redwood customers to take on more projects. "Our website already has a number of project plans, from picnic tables to gazebos, that d-i-yers and contractors can download," Mion shares. "The plans are already there and generate a remarkable amount of web traffic. The next step is to provide instructional videos to accompany those plans, and help redwood enthusiasts be successful in creating projects that enhance their outdoor living."

The first digital video accompanies the "Windsor Shade Structure" plan, one of the plans most frequently downloaded from the CRA website. The video is broken into six sections, following the project plan and demonstrating how to set the footings, install the posts, beams, braces, rafters and finally louvers. Host Jeff Imwale, a licensed Northern California contractor, explains each step being taken and provides "contractor's tips" throughout.

CRA also has posted a video to help consumers finish and maintain their redwood decks. "Redwood is a low-maintenance decking material," says Mion. "You can leave it alone and let it weather naturally, or take a few simple steps to keep redwood's distinctive warm red tones fresh. The video shows the proper techniques for cleaning a redwood deck and applying a finish to keep the like-new look for years. It also shows how to restore weathered  redwood decks and remove stains like barbecue grease. Restoring a deck doesn't take a whole lot of effort, and the results can be quite impressive. It's a great way for consumers to protect their investment in redwood."

While contractors and d-i-yers can download plan files from the CRA website, CRA is also making color-printed versions of the project plans available free to retailers who want to stock them. CRA offers plans that show how to build an Adirondack chair, Adirondack swing, garden tool shed, Lake Tahoe gazebo, Mendocino bench, Santa Cruz sandbox, free standing deck and other projects. View them all at www.calredwood. org/ref/lit.htm.