About Western Red Cedar Lumber

Cedar Lumber is an excellent choice for Atlanta area projects.  Cedar lumber has long been the primary choice for making things that last. Ancient Egyptians used cedar for boats, and lumber thousands of years old can still be seen today in museums. American Indians on the Pacific Northwest coast fashioned large canoes, called “dugouts” and totem poles from huge cedar trunks.  Many historic homes still have their original cedar siding, some have the same siding that has lasted hundreds of years! The trees are coniferous, so it is considered a softwood. The “leaves” are small over-lapping “scales” that release a strong aroma when they are crushed. It has small flowers that are yellowish in color, and are very difficult to see without close inspection. The cones are also very small, only about 1/4” x 5/8”. It only grows in a limited range around the Rocky Mountains, from northwest California to the Sumner Strait in Alaska and east to Montana and Idaho.  These majestic trees can live to be over 400 years old, and grow as high as 200′ with circumferences as great as 20′.

Cedar just makes sense for most outdoor uses, since it is naturally beautiful, easily workable, resistant to rot and insect infestation and very stable. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) tends to be over twice as stable as most other types of commercially available softwood lumber. It stays straight and it lays flat. There are over 100 species of cedar in the Cupressaceae family, clearly Western Red Cedar is the best choice for outdoor living structures. 

Here in the Atlanta-Athens Georgia area Western Red Cedar is the first choice for outdoor structures, such as decks, gazebos and pergolas. Although it costs more than many other types of lumber, such as pressure treated yellow pine, the beauty, workability and long-lasting nature of this wood make it much more desirable. When you are cutting or machining this nicely textured wood, you will find that it is one of the very best “softwoods”.  It is fairly light weight, seasoned cedar has a specific gravity of about 0.38.  Don’t let its softness and light weight fool you. Cedar is remarkably strong and durable for its weight, and it can take a lot of punishment.  Cedar graded #1 has a Modulus of Elasticity (E) 1000000 psi, Bending Strength (Fb) 917.12 psi, Bearing Strength (Fcp) 425 psi and Shear Strength (Fv) 155 psi. Under these design values, a #1 2×10 can span 14’ with a live load of 40 pounds and dead load of 10 pounds. The grain is typically straight and even, and it has excellent insulating properties. Woodworkers prefer it because it cuts and machines far better than most other lumber. Since cedar has a low resinous content, glues tend to hold better. Slow growing “old growth” cedar has “tight” growth rings. In softwoods, the closer the growth rings are, the stronger the lumber tends to be. When trees grow more quickly, the growth rings are farther apart.

Western Red Cedar is widely used as a horizontal siding on the exterior of homes. Beveled lap siding is the most common siding seen in residential structures.  It is also available in many different machined patterns, and can be used vertically, horizontally, or angled for different effects. There are many patterned boards, such as “channel rustic”, that can be used as a siding, paneling or ceiling. Cedar is also used for board and batten siding, and there are different 4′ x 8′ textured plywood sheets available as well. Cedar shingles and shakes add a look of distinction when used as roofing or on gables. Dimensional cedar lumber is widely available in thicknesses and widths from nominal 2″ (actual 1-1/2″) to nominal 12″ (actual 11-1/4″) in 2″ increments. We stock dimensional cedar in the following sizes:
2×2 Smooth Cedar Lumber
2×4 Rough and Smooth Cedar Lumber
2×6 Rough and Smooth Cedar Lumber
2×8 Rough and Smooth Cedar Lumber
2×10 Smooth Cedar Lumber
2×12 Smooth Cedar Lumber
4X4 Smooth Cedar Timbers

Our cedar boards are smooth on three sides, and rough one side and are available in standard sizes of 1×2 (3/4″x1-1/2″), 1×4 (3/4″x3-1/2″), 1×6 (3/4″x5-1/2″), 1×8 (3/4″x7-1/4″), 1×10 (3/4″x9-1/4″), and 1×12 (3/4″x11-1/4″). Many people like the warm, rustic look cedar adds to rooms when used as casing and other interior trim. False beams and columns can be constructed to conceal steel or less attractive wood posts and beams, and many homes have 4×12 cedar fireplace mantels.

In the garden, the first choice of wood for organic raised beds is definitely Western Red Cedar, since it is naturally resistant to decay, moisture, and insect damage. Since no chemicals are added it is extremely attractive for beds where edibles such as vegetables and fruits will be grown. Cedar frames can be constructed above beds, allowing for vertical growth where vining plants like tomatoes and cucumbers require plenty of space.

Cedar can also be used to build fences, planter boxes, bird houses and feeders. It is easy to cut, drill, and shape. Freshly cut cedar lumber has a pleasant aroma.

Structures made from Western Red Cedar can last for 30 years or more when properly installed, finished and cared for. This clearly makes it the number one softwood lumber choice where durability, beauty and long product life are important. Visit the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) website to learn more about this beautiful and versatile lumber.