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.
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Rough Cut Lumber

5/4 Rough Cut Western Red Cedar Lumber

5/4 Western Red Cedar Lumber

From $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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Why choose Western Red Cedar Wood?

Western Red Cedar is one of the most trusted outdoor woods in North America. It has a warm reddish brown color with a straight grain that weathers beautifully over time, eventually turning that iconic silver gray you see on coastal homes and old barns. It is lightweight, stable, and naturally resistant to rot, moisture, and insects without any chemical treatment which is why it has been the first choice for siding, decking, fencing, and outdoor furniture for generations. It also has natural insulating properties that make it a top choice for sauna walls where temperature and humidity are constantly changing. It is a softer wood so it is not the best option for heavy use surfaces, but for anything exposed to the outdoors Western Red Cedar is one of the most reliable choices you can make.

Frequently Asked Questions About Western Red Cedar Wood