Western Red Cedar Lumber: Durable, Custom-Milled Outdoor Wood

Western Red Cedar is resistant to decay. It's a great traditional wood for outdoor construction. The heartwood of Western Red Cedar is pinkish brown, and can display random streaks of darker red or brown. The sapwood is a yellowish white color. Western Red Cedar is known for its aromatic properties as well. Despite its strong distinctive aroma, Western Red Cedar is not naturally repellant to termites and furniture beetles. With attentive maintenance, outdoor usage of Western Red Cedar heartwood could last for many decades.

Uses

Brazilian walnut flooring showcasing rich, dark brown tones and varied grain patterns, complemented by a modern metal log holder with firewood.

Rain screen siding featuring horizontal wooden planks, showcasing a modern architectural design with windows, emphasizing the use of genuine mahogany in construction.

Western Red Cedar is commonly used for shingles, exterior siding, decking, gazebos, pergolas, boat building, boxes, crates and musical instruments.

Western Red Cedar lumber planks stacked, showcasing their pinkish brown heartwood and yellowish white sapwood, ideal for outdoor construction and design.

Availability

Western Red Cedar is commonly used for shingles, exterior siding, decking, gazebos, pergolas, boat building, boxes, crates and musical instruments.

Working with Western Red Cedar

Close-up of polished Honduran Mahogany wood surface, showcasing rich natural brown color, straight and interlocked grain patterns, relevant to furniture and cabinetry uses.

WRC is easy to work with using either hand or machine tools. However, it does dent and scratch easily because it is not a very hard wood. WRC also glues and finishes well, but iron-based fasteners can stain and discolor the wood causing iron streaks in moist conditions.

Natural Range

Warm-toned parquet wood flooring with a chevron pattern, reflecting the aesthetic qualities of Western Red Cedar, suitable for outdoor construction and design.

Western Red Cedar’s natural range is along the Pacific Coast from the southern part of the Alaska Panhandle through British Columbia, western Washington, and western Oregon, reaching into the coastal Redwood forest of northern California. Inland from the coast, it can be found in a contiguous band east of the Cascade Range from central Oregon to southern British Columbia. Much farther inland WRC grows along the west slopes of the Rocky Mountains from Prince George, British Columbia, to northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana.

At Specialty Lumber Solutions, we can provide higher grades of cedar milled to your specifications and shipped directly to your job site. Appearance grade cedar is available at most lumber yards, but if you need A & Better Vertical Grain Western Red Cedar, give us a call at Specialty Lumber Solutions.

Kansas City Wood Beam Costs: Typical Price Ranges

Also known as: Western Redcedar

Thuja plicata

Source: The Wood Database

Distribution Pacific Northwest United States/Canada

Tree Size 165-200 ft (50-60 m) tall, 7-13 ft (2-4 m) trunk diameter

Avg. Dried Weight 23 lbs/ft3 (370 kg/m3)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .31, .37

Janka Hardness 350 lbf (1,560 N)

Modulus of Rupture 7,500 lbf/in2 (51.7 MPa)

Elastic Modulus 1,110,000 lbf/in2 (7.66 GPa)

Crushing Strength 4,560 lbf/in2 (31.4 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 2.4% Tangential: 5.0% Volumetric: 6.8% T/R Ratio: 2.1

From: The Wood Database

3824 Fremont Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64129
816‒506‒4131

Monday to Friday: 8:00 – 3:00

Charles: 816 - 506 - 4131

Specialty Lumber Solutions represents the nation’s largest wholesalers of tropical hardwood products and domestic lumber mills. If you are looking for Ipe, Teak, Cumaru, Massaranduba or another species, we sell tropical hardwood rain screen siding and decking materials at the best prices.

For high end domestic species, we offer clear grade Western Red Cedar and Select Southern Cypress custom milled to your specifications. We also have your flooring needs covered by working with direct importers to offer a line of tropical hardwood flooring at the most competitive prices.

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Key Properties of Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar is renowned for its exceptional durability and natural resistance to decay and insect damage. These inherent qualities make it an ideal choice for outdoor applications where longevity and low maintenance are paramount. Its stability also means it's less prone to warping or shrinking compared to many other wood species, ensuring structural integrity over time.

The lumber boasts a distinctive natural beauty with its rich reddish-brown hue and straight grain, which can be further enhanced with various finishes. Its lightweight nature also contributes to ease of installation and handling, making it a practical option for a wide range of construction projects.

Western Red Cedar Applications

Specialty Lumber Solutions offers Western Red Cedar for a multitude of outdoor construction and design projects. Its natural beauty and resilience make it a preferred material for exterior siding, decking, gazebos, and pergolas, adding both aesthetic appeal and lasting value to properties.

Beyond larger structures, this versatile wood is also suitable for smaller applications such as custom boxes, crates, and even musical instruments, showcasing its adaptability and fine finishing qualities. The availability of custom milling ensures that projects of any scale can be precisely accommodated.

Understanding Western Red Cedar's Mechanical Properties

Delving into the technical specifications of Western Red Cedar reveals its robust performance characteristics. With a Janka Hardness of 350 lbf, it offers a good balance of workability and resistance to dents and scratches, suitable for moderate foot traffic areas. Its Modulus of Rupture stands at 7,500 lbf/in², indicating its strength and ability to withstand bending forces.

Further analysis of its mechanical properties shows an Elastic Modulus of 1,110,000 lbf/in², highlighting its stiffness and resistance to deformation. The Crushing Strength of 4,560 lbf/in² demonstrates its ability to bear significant compressive loads. These attributes collectively underscore why Western Red Cedar is a reliable choice for structural and decorative outdoor elements.

Why Choose Specialty Lumber Solutions for Western Red Cedar

Specialty Lumber Solutions is your premier source for high-quality Western Red Cedar, offering unparalleled expertise and a commitment to customer satisfaction. As a leading wholesaler of domestic lumber, we ensure that you receive premium-grade cedar that meets the demands of your specific project, whether it's for a large-scale commercial build or a bespoke residential design.

We pride ourselves on providing competitive pricing and exceptional service, making the process of sourcing your lumber straightforward and efficient. Our team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect Western Red Cedar products, backed by our extensive knowledge and network of domestic mills. Contact us today to discuss your needs and receive a personalized quote.