Timber Insights: Cedar

Canadian Cedar, specifically the Western Red Cedar, or Thuja plicata, is a softwood of exceptional character and durability, known for its utility and beauty. This cedar variety thrives in the unique climate of the Pacific Northwest, an environment characterised by wet, cool winters and dry summers. The native climate of Canadian Cedar is harsh, yet it’s these conditions that imbue the wood with its robust properties. The fluctuations in weather harden the timber, enhancing its resilience and contributing to a set of characteristics highly prized in construction and design.

Originating from the western coast of Canada and parts of the United States, Western Red Cedar is a fixture of the Pacific Northwest’s lush forests. It has also adapted to the British Isles, reflecting its versatile nature. This tree species is a testament to survival and adaptability, with rapid growth rates of 30 to 60 centimetres annually, allowing it to rise to impressive heights and girths over time. Its height can reach up to 60 meters with a trunk diameter extending to 4 meters, a stature that speaks to its majesty and presence.

The Benefits of Canadian Red Cedar

Canadian Red Cedar is not only an aesthetically pleasing material but also a functional powerhouse, boasting numerous innate advantages:

• Natural Resistance: This Cedar is fortified with thujaplicins, organic compounds that serve as a natural fungicide. This chemical shields the wood from fungal decay, insects, and moisture, rendering it an exceptional candidate for outdoor applications. Its resistance is such that even without treatment, it maintains integrity and appearance for years, if not decades, providing customers with a great investment.
• Durability: Western Red Cedar’s durability is unparalleled, with a life span exceeding a century even after the tree has been felled. The seasoned wood of older trees, in particular, possesses a remarkable ability to withstand the elements, making it an enduring choice for construction.
• Stability: Low density and a low shrinkage factor give this cedar outstanding dimensional stability. Its ability to retain shape and resist warping or twisting is highly valued in architecture, especially for structures exposed to changing moisture levels.
• Insulation: The cellular structure, rife with air spaces, bestows the wood with excellent thermal insulation properties, contributing to home energy efficiency. Its sound-dampening qualities are also advantageous, reducing noise transmission and enhancing tranquillity within living spaces.

Cedar in the Home

Architects and landscape designers favour Western Red Cedar for its versatility and aesthetic appeal. Its properties align with a philosophy that values both form and function:

• Cladding and Fencing: Cedar’s resistance to decay and dimensional stability make it an optimal material for exterior cladding and fencing. It gracefully endures the weather, retaining its integrity without succumbing to the deformities that plague other timbers.
• Garden Features and Furniture: The wood’s natural resistance to rot and inviting texture make it a natural choice for garden furniture and features, offering a blend of practicality and rustic charm.
• Design Flexibility: Cedar is a designer’s ally, able to complement various architectural styles, from modern minimalism to traditional. It integrates seamlessly into landscapes, enhancing natural beauty rather than competing with it.

Cedar Colouring

The aesthetic of Western Red Cedar is renowned for its warm, reddish-brown tones, ranging from soft ambers to deep siennas. These hues can be preserved and enhanced through regular maintenance:

• Maintenance for Colour Preservation: Cleaning, staining, or treating Western Red Cedar can maintain its vibrant tones, locking in the wood’s natural colour and protecting it from the bleaching effects of the sun.
• Natural Aging Process: Conversely, allowing the Cedar to age without intervention leads to a sophisticated, silvery-grey patina. This graceful ageing process does not compromise the wood’s structural integrity but offers a distinguished look that many find appealing.

How does Canadian Red Cedar Compare Against Other Species?

Canadian Red Cedar, specifically Western Red Cedar, stands out among cedar varieties for its exceptional durability and resistance to decay and insect damage. The harsh conditions surrounding growth endow it with natural preservative oil, giving it an edge over other cedars in longevity, especially in outdoor applications.

Aesthetically, it boasts a sought-after warm reddish-brown colour and a straight, even grain, making it a favoured material for architects and designers for both exterior and interior uses.

In comparison, other cedar types like the Eastern Red Cedar or the Alaskan Yellow Cedar, although durable, have different properties and uses. Eastern Red Cedar is generally more knotty and aromatic and is often used for lining closets and chests. At the same time, the denser Alaskan Yellow Cedar, with its yellowish tone and fine grain, is preferred for its strength in boat building and specialised carpentry. Each type of Cedar carries unique characteristics that suit different environments and design preferences, with Canadian Red Cedar often chosen for its balance of beauty, workability, and resistance to the elements.

Sustainably Sourced Canadian Cedar

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) sourced Cedar represents timber that stringent environmental, social, and ethical standards have harvested. This certification ensures that the cedar wood comes from forests that are managed sustainably, preserving ecological processes, biodiversity, and the well-being of local communities. Customers choosing PEFC-certified Cedar can be assured of its environmental stewardship, contributing to the maintenance of forest ecosystems and reducing carbon footprint.

For more information on our Canadian Cedar products, please contact one of our friendly team directly on 01254 449 128.