Red cedar wood has many fantastic properties, such as good moisture absorption, deodorising and antiseptic effects, prevent pests, lightweight and durable, and more.
Western Red Cedar in particular is prized for its naturally occurring moisture-resistance, decay-resistance, and insect repellent. Not only is it durable and stable, but its aesthetic beauty makes it ideal for a wide range of interior and exterior projects.
Western Red Cedar wood is considered the most valuable of all softwoods because of its fine, straight grain, color, flexibility and strength in proportion to weight, however, the most important property of cedar wood is its high impermeability to liquids and its natural phenol preservatives, which make it ideally ...
Western red cedar is a durable option for outdoor building projects because of its natural resistance to rot, decay, and insects. Since this lumber is a unique mixture of reds, dark browns, and light tans, it ages beautifully, often greying into a silver-ish hue after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Western Red cedar is a popular option, costing $5 to $9 per linear foot for materials. Northern White cedar is a bit more economical, at $4 to $7 per linear foot. The rot-resistant Eastern Red cedar costs $5 to $8 per linear foot and knot-resistant clear cedar costs $5 to $7 per linear foot.
Key Takeaway: Red cedar is more expensive but sturdier and slightly more resistant to insects and rot, so overall value might be higher in the long run.
The wood has been used for constructing housing and totem poles, and crafted into many objects, including masks, utensils, boxes, boards, instruments, canoes, vessels, houses, and ceremonial objects. Red cedar branches are very flexible and have good tensile strength.
Its superior durability, aesthetic beauty and dimensional stability make it an excellent choice for exterior applications in residential or commercial projects. It is used for roof shingles, exterior siding and cladding, decking, weather boarding, portable buildings, poles, posts and fences, and ship and boat building.
Appearance: Western Red Cedar has a richer, darker color than Eastern Red Cedar. It also has a straighter grain, which can give it a more uniform appearance. Eastern Red Cedar has a lighter, more knotty appearance that some people find charming.
This tree has beautiful evergreen foliage in flat sprays that hang from horizontal stems. Plant it in a moist site for it to flourish. Where to Plant: The western red cedar makes a beautiful yard tree, given it has room to grow.
Clear, vertical grain is the highest grade of Cedar, and as you might guess, the most expensive. The wood is sawn specifically so that all the growth rings are parallel to each other on the face of the board.
Cedar is also softwood but it's tougher and more resistant than pine, able to resist the outdoor elements with no further treatment. This is why it's a great choice for outdoor tables and yard furniture. Cedar can also be used indoors for chests, wardrobes, and musical instruments.
Western Red Cedar is a softer and more lightweight wood than Yellow Cedar. It's more tonal, being known for it's warm colour and dark, rich heartwood. It is commonly used in log homes because of the flare at the bottom of the trunk, and the fact that it's a great thermal insulator.
Properties. Western Red Cedar is one of the world's most durable woods, as it has a natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage. It has twice the stability of most commonly available softwoods due to its low density and shrinkage factors.
What makes Western Red Cedar the right building material for your next project? Watch how this highly revered, durable wood is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, which means anything you build with it will last longer and require less maintenance.
Due to the cedar's significant repelling properties, it naturally deters a number of insects. This list includes adult clothing moths, clothing moth larvae, silverfish, termites, carpet beetles, and cockroaches, to name a few. The level of repellency of the eastern red cedar increases as exposure is heightened.
It's a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, and resists moisture absorption, so it tends to last longer, needs less maintenance, and doesn't warp or split as easily. A cedar deck can last for 15-20 years or more, depending on maintenance and environment.
Compared to other conifers, this species has twice the dimensional stability. It's this resistance to warping, cupping and twisting that makes Western Red Cedar such a prime species for exterior use. Interestingly, this low density also gives it good insulation properties!
Cedar is especially associated with prayer, healing, dreams, and protection against disease. Many Salish tribes consider the cedar tree a symbol of generosity and providence, and had special rituals regarding the felling of cedar trees.
Lucky coins, medicine bags, amulets, tobacco, or milagros are used to ward off evil or sickness. Illness is seen to attack both the body and the spirit and is often attributed to one's own sins, evil spirits or the dead, or the actions of one's enemies.
Western Redcedar is immortal!
These trees have been known to live over 1,500 years. The Western Redcedar is a great riparian habitat tree. Their swooping branches and majestic qualities make them some of the most beautiful trees in the forest.
Resistance to decay: Western red cedar is the most decay-resistant cedar, making it great for outdoor construction projects like shakes and shingles. It is also one of the longest-living North American softwood trees. Stability: Western red cedar has twice the stability of other softwood species.
Rarely found in pure stands, this evergreen thrives in mixed conifer forests, and is frequently associated with Douglas- fir and western hemlock. The western redcedar is actually an arborvitae - a “false” cedar. The spelling of the name “redcedar” as one word indicates that this is not a true cedar.
Today, Western Red Cedar is used for building and is especially famous for outdoor structures such as gazebos, pergolas, and decks. This wood is also used in siding, paneling, and garden benches because it is a natural termite repellent due to its soft, earthy smell.
Paint or stain? The best answer is based on your home's current cedar condition. Stain lasts longer and often looks more natural, but can only be applied if cedar is paint-free. Paint offers more protection and can be a good choice for badly worn homes with previous peeling issues from past painting applications.