Which Is Better For An Exterior: White Or Red Cedar?

Red cedar, known for its rich color variations and signature scent, is a popular choice for exterior siding, decking, and shingles. White cedar, on the other hand, offers an exceptional lifespan, especially in damp climates, and works exceptionally well for roofing and fencing. Both types of wood are popular choices for furniture, flooring, siding, shingles, decks, and more.

White cedar is less resistant to moisture and rot but is usually more budget-friendly. Western red cedar is slightly stronger and less likely to knot, while eastern white cedar is still strong enough. The most obvious difference between the two trees is their size, with some growing up to 200 feet with 10 foot trunks. Both have a distinctive cedar smell and a similar grain, making them highly durable woods suitable for outdoor construction.

Eastern white cedar exterior siding has a pale color that lacks the luster, tonal contrasts, and character so popular in Western Red Cedar. White cedar is slightly stronger than red cedar, almost as resistant to rot and decay, and has a beautiful finish but is far more expensive. Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is an excellent wood and has been used for lumber, especially in Maine, but is much weaker than Eastern red cedar.

In conclusion, both white cedar and red cedar are excellent choices for outdoor projects due to their natural resistance to decay and insect damage. The choice between red and white cedar for your sauna comes down to a balance of sensory preferences, longevity, and environmental values. White cedar provides great insulation, with a higher R value of 1.41/inch, making it one of the most insulating woods.

What is the best cedar for outdoor use?

Inland Red cedar is a rot and insect-resistant option suitable for siding, fencing, decking, and outdoor entertainment spaces. It is a rustic, lighter-colored cedar with a lower price point than Western Red Cedar. California Incense cedar, native to California, southern Oregon, and western Nevada, is adaptable and historically used for medicinal purposes and food spice. Its aroma repels insects, making it a favorite for clothes chests and closets.

Can white cedar be used outside?

Eastern white cedar wood is a popular choice for carpentry due to its durability in outdoor conditions, which makes it an ideal material for use in environments where other woods may not be able to withstand the elements. The wood is utilized in exterior applications such as shingles, structural timbers, paneling, fencing, outdoor furnishings, watercraft, and canoes. Given its diminutive stature, it is an optimal choice for use as a hedging plant in landscaping applications. For further research, please refer to the science publications catalogue.

Is red cedar good for outdoor use?

Western Red Cedar is a highly durable timber known for its high levels of insect, moisture, and decay resistance. It is classified as ‘durable’ by building codes worldwide, allowing it to be used for exterior purposes without any treatment. The species is slow-growing and naturally durable due to its presence of thujaplicins, a chemical substance that acts as a natural fungicide. These extractives are toxic to decay-causing fungi, preventing the wood from rotting. Thujaplicins are found in older trees, making the outer part of the hardwood often the most durable.

How long will red cedar last outside?

Cedar wood is a popular choice for outdoor decking due to its beautiful grain and color, resistance against insects and rot, and water resistance. It can last up to 20 years without treatment, but heavy traffic may cause damage. Proper care is crucial for its longevity, as unprotected cedar can show signs of weathering within days.

Cumaru wood typically lasts around 20 years, but can be longer if regular maintenance is performed. A sealer should be applied every six months to one year to protect the wood from the elements. Untreated cumaru can turn gray, slick, develop a film barrier, and mold.

Mangaris/Red Balau wood, also known as Shorea, Meranti, Red Balau, Kayu Batu, and Bankirai, lasts around 20 years for decking, outdoor furniture, and other outdoor uses. It looks similar to mahogany and requires a sealer to enhance and protect its natural color.

Which is better, red cedar or white cedar?

Western red cedar is slightly stronger than white cedar and less likely to knot. However, eastern white cedar is still strong enough for most construction projects and has longer lifespan due to the oils it contains. Eastern white cedar’s oils are stronger and can last up to a decade longer.

Choosing between the two cedar species may cost more or have a greater environmental impact. For example, if you live on the West Coast and prefer eastern white cedar, it may require long-distance transportation. To protect the environment, consider purchasing wood closer to your area.

Why do people prefer red cedar?

Western red cedar is a popular wood species used in building and construction projects due to its natural beauty, rich color tone, and durability. Its rich texture and texture make it an aesthetically appealing material, and it is also resistant to rot, decay, and pests. This makes it ideal for building decks, fences, siding, furniture, and even musical instruments.

The wood’s natural beauty and rich color tone, ranging from light tan to deep reddish-brown, complement any architectural style. Its organic colors capture the essence of its native forests in the Pacific Northwest. Over time, the wood develops a stunning silvery-grey patina, lending an air of rustic elegance to any space.

Moreover, western red cedar is versatile, able to be easily adapted to suit various applications, such as outdoor furniture, cladding, fencing, and interior paneling. It can be expertly shaped, planed, or left with its natural texture, making it an ideal choice for homeowners and builders.

The wood type is known for its structural stability and resistance to warping or shrinking, ensuring the project’s integrity and strength for years to come. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking top-performing and stunning wood solutions.

Is white cedar waterproof?

White cedar, also known as the ‘tree of life’, is a versatile and sustainable material used in various products such as fencing, house siding, decking, outdoor showers, saunas, and raised garden beds. The tree, also known as Nookomis Giizhik (Grandmother Cedar), is a significant part of traditional Ojibwe culture and is considered a gift to humanity for its numerous uses, including crafts, construction, and medicine.

The native people of the northeast used white cedar to treat various ailments, including headaches, coughs, pneumonia, colds, fever, rheumatism, sprains, bruises, and sores. The Algonquin used a decoction of branches for rheumatism, a poultice of powered wood for rashes and skin irritations, and branches in a steam bath for fevers, colds, and toothaches.

What lasts longer red or white cedar?

Red cedar is generally more durable than white cedar in terms of durability and character. Cedar is a popular choice for home improvement due to its unique characteristics and aroma. It is divided into two types: white cedar and red cedar. Both types have unique advantages, but the Northern White Cedar is best suited for interior applications. Cedar leaf oil, distilled from cedar, is also used in medicines and perfumes. Therefore, homeowners should consider their specific needs when choosing the right wood for their project.

Does white cedar turn grey?

Live wood cells produce natural oils that remain active on cedar wood for an extended period. However, rainwater, snow, and water from a sprinkling system can break down the outer cells of cedar wood, leading to erosion and sun damage. UV rays dry up the oils, allowing water to penetrate the inner wood cells, turning cedar wood to a dull gray color. This discoloration increases the wood’s susceptibility to rot, decay, fungus, and mold, affecting its integrity, durability, and stability.

The graying process may not occur unevenly across the entire fence, with some areas getting more direct sunlight and others receiving overspray from sprinklers. To prevent the graying, act quickly to preserve the fresh wood and prevent irreversible discoloration and physical damage that may require replacement.

Which cedar is most rot resistant?

White cedar is a lightweight, sturdy wood found in northern North America, with yellowish-brown hues and distinct knots. Red cedar, on the other hand, is a vibrant reddish hue due to high tannin levels and is denser than white cedar. It is more naturally resistant to rot, insects, and weather, making it popular for furniture, flooring, siding, shingles, and decks.

White cedar is less resistant to moisture and rot but is generally more budget-friendly. Red cedar is more durable due to its higher density, natural oils, and strong grain patterns. It is also known for its resistance to wrapping or splitting over time.

Red cedar is desirable due to its high resistance to decay, insects, and moisture, making it ideal for both interior and exterior projects. Its lightweight yet durable nature, distinct aroma, and easy workability make it a popular choice. The reddish-brown coloration adds beauty to any project.

What wood holds up best outside?

Five common lumber species, including Western red cedar, Spanish cedar, cypress, white oak, and mahogany, demonstrate resilience to sunlight, moisture, and wood-boring insects. However, red cedar is often characterized by knots, yet it is a cost-effective and widely accessible option.