Why choose Western Red Cedar over Eastern White Cedar or Pine, or hem/fir? That is a very good question! So good in fact I will post the answer to the website as well as here! Thank you for asking David!
If you want to build high quality wood products for items like picnic tables, planters, benches and porch swings, Western Red Cedar is your best choice.
It is an excellent softwood that is very light weight and has become the preferred commercial wood for high quality products, especially for outdoor use, and is second only to Teak wood, but at a fraction of the cost.
Western Red Cedar has a natural resistance to insects, and tends to be more water repellant than other woods. This is due to Cedar’s low density and unique cell structure and Cedar oil.
Cedar is a natural bug repellent and Scientists have found that even in concentrations as low as 0.445 percent, cedar oil can kill 50 percent of mosquitoes in the air.
Western Red Cedar, will repel more water than other woods because water tends to run off cedar instead of getting soaked in as with most woods. This is also a result of the unique cell structure of the wood, combined with Western Red Cedar’s natural oil.
Working with Western Red Cedar is also attractive, cutting, sawing, nailing, gluing, screwing, boring etc. is easily accomplished with Western Red Cedar. When finishing, it takes stain and paint well and it holds them for much longer and is less prone to natural damages.
Because of this versatility, ease of use, and simple maintenance, Western Red Cedar is preferred for the outdoor furnishings, furniture and structures.
The natural color of cedar is very warm and the wood has a fine-grained texture but with a satin luster. Western Red Cedar is considered as an exceptionally durable wood and it is suitable for places with extreme weather conditions and for use in high humidity too.
Because of these special features, Western Red Cedar is very popular in home saunas, outdoor decks, fences and outdoor furniture. Another benefit of Western Red Cedar is its peculiar aroma. It has a pleasant smell that very effective in repelling insects.
All of these factors are what make Western Red Cedar easy to work with and a favorite among the architects, landscapers, homeowners and builders. There is no comparison with regard to the unique, natural luster and aroma of Western Red Cedar and with so many qualities and special features it has become the premier choice for outdoor furniture, interior and exterior furnishings and saunas.
As mentioned previously, Western Red Cedar contains natural compounds and oils that act as preservatives for the wood and makes it long lasting. The wood has the potential to last for decades even in harsh conditions and with a proper finish, such as the one applied by Shoreline Cedar, it can last even longer.
Landscapers, architects, builders and homeowners all over the world appreciate the quality of Western Red Cedar and its natural beauty is admired by all. Western Red Cedar is the perfect choice for picnic tables, park benches, planters, porch swings, trellis, arbors, and lot more.
