Alaskan Yellow Cedar. This is a #2 grade with sound, tight knots. One face is smooth, the other is rough. Edges are smooth. AYC is highly decay resistant as rated by the USDA Forest Products lab. It is used throughout the world for installations where performance is paramount. AYC is a superior choice for outdoor use such as decking, industrial fooring, marine docks, acid tanks, architectural timbers and more. Not just beautiful, AYC is exceptional with a white to yellowish uniform color; there is little distinction between sapwood and heartwood. When left uncoated, AYC will turn to a soft silver-gray. AYC is similar in strength to Douglas fir, which makes it an excellent choice for deck use. It is strong, but light in weight and harder than Western Red cedar. AYC is splinter-free. The fine grain and texture machine easily for a soft smooth surface.