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Western Red Cedar Wood Grain

Western Red Cedar Wood

Western Red Cedar is a lightweight softwood known for its reddish-brown color, straight grain, and natural resistance to decay, moisture, and insects. Easy to work and naturally stable, it’s widely used for outdoor projects like siding, fencing, decking, and also for interior paneling and woodworking where durability and a warm, rustic appearance are desired.

Western Red Cedar Wood

  • Rough Cut Lumber

  • 5/4 Rough Cut Western Red Cedar Lumber

    5/4 Western Red Cedar Lumber

    $5.95 - $14.95
    $5.95 - $14.95
    $5.95 - $14.95
    $5.95

    Western Red Cedar is the best wood for outside!  Just in time for summer projects! We now carry 5/4 Rough Cut Western Red Cedar Lumber which is per...

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    $5.95 - $14.95
    $5.95 - $14.95
    $5.95 - $14.95
    $5.95

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Pricing:



Affordable

Hardness:

350

Janka

Distribution:



Pacific Northwest Canada/US

Availability:



Readily Available

Appearance

The heartwood is reddish brown with random streaks of darker brown areas. The sapwood is narrow in size and pale yellow in colour.

Workability

Western Red Cedar is easy to work with both hand and power tools but be aware of denting and scratching. The wood is soft and gets blemishes easily. Sanding is also difficult due to the changes in density between the early and latewood.

Uses

Often used for exterior applications like shingles and siding, it also gets used for boatbuilding, box making and musical instruments.

Additional Comments

The smell of cedar being worked in the shop is glorious. Be aware when using iron-based fasteners as it can cause staining in the wood.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Western Red Cedar Wood

What is Western Red Cedar used for?

Western Red Cedar is used for outdoor decking, siding, shingles, fencing, pergolas, garden furniture, boat building, and musical instrument soundboards. Its exceptional natural rot resistance, light weight, and straight grain make it North America's premier outdoor softwood for exposed applications.

Why is Western Red Cedar good for outdoor use?

Western Red Cedar is ideal for outdoor use because it contains natural oils and extractives primarily thujaplicins that make it highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect attack without chemical treatment. Its low density also means minimal shrinking and swelling with moisture changes, reducing warping and splitting.

Is Western Red Cedar rot-resistant?

Yes. Western Red Cedar is one of the most naturally rot-resistant wood species available in North America. Its heartwood is rated as durable to very durable for rot resistance, making it suitable for decking, siding, fence posts, and other exterior applications with direct weather and ground-contact exposure.

What color is Western Red Cedar?

Western Red Cedar has a distinctive reddish-brown to pinkish-brown heartwood with lighter-colored cream or white sapwood. When left unfinished outdoors, it weathers to an attractive silver-grey patina over time. Applying a UV-protective oil or sealant preserves the original warm reddish-brown color.

Is Western Red Cedar good for guitar soundboards?

Yes. Western Red Cedar is widely used for acoustic guitar soundboards (tops), particularly for fingerstyle and classical guitars. It offers a warmer, darker tone than Sitka Spruce, responds well to lighter playing, and breaks in faster acoustically. Many fingerstyle guitarists prefer Cedar tops for their immediate warmth and responsiveness.

How hard is Western Red Cedar?

Western Red Cedar is a relatively soft wood with a Janka hardness of approximately 350 lbf. This softness limits its use in furniture and flooring subject to wear, but it is perfectly suited for outdoor structural applications, siding, and musical instrument soundboards where light weight and resonance are more important than hardness.

Does Western Red Cedar need to be sealed?

Western Red Cedar does not require sealing for structural integrity or basic weather resistance due to its natural oils. However, applying a UV-protective oil, stain, or sealant periodically will maintain its original reddish color and prevent the natural greying that occurs with prolonged sunlight and weather exposure.

Is Western Red Cedar the same as Aromatic Cedar?

No. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Aromatic Cedar (Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana) are entirely different species. Western Red Cedar is a large Pacific Northwest conifer used primarily for outdoor building and guitar soundboards. Aromatic Cedar is a smaller eastern juniper primarily used for its moth-repelling properties in cedar chests and closet liners.

Is Western Red Cedar sustainable?

Western Red Cedar is widely available from responsibly managed forests in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. It is certified sustainable by organizations like the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) when sourced from certified operations. Plantation-grown Cedar is increasingly available, making it a responsible choice for outdoor building projects.

What is the best finish for Western Red Cedar decking?

Semi-transparent penetrating stains or deck oils specifically formulated for cedar are the best finishing options for Western Red Cedar decking. These finishes allow the wood to breathe, penetrate the surface rather than forming a film, and provide UV protection. They should be reapplied every 1–3 years depending on sun and weather exposure.

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