Quality landscape architecture requires building materials that are beautiful and long-lasting. Materials need to withstand environmental elements yet retain their symmetry and aesthetic purpose. Redwood has a well-known reputation for meeting these requirements. Equally important, there are cost-effective redwood grades to specify for every project, whether it is a public plaza or a residential garden.

Performance is more than durability. Redwood has qualities not found in other woods--even woods treated with chemicals. Redwood performance characteristics include resistance to shrinking, warping and checking in addition to durability. This means redwood projects age beautifully. Decks, fences and shelters made with redwood simply look better ten, fifteen and twenty years after construction.

(from California Redwood Association)

Fire Resistance...

...For many years, redwood has been recognized for its fire resistance; in fact, redwood-clad structures were credited with limiting the extent of the great fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Redwood has historically been used in firewalls and fire doors, and currently is the only decking material allowed for rooftop decks in San Francisco. These recent tests confirm redwood's superiority... (from calredwood.com)