Western Red Cedar is a timeless softwood known for its natural beauty, rich colors, and exceptional durability. Its warm spectrum of red, pink, and blond tones creates a visually striking appearance that enhances both traditional and modern projects. Beyond its aesthetics, Western Red Cedar is revered for its signature scent and impressive resistance to rot, moisture, and insect damage—qualities that make it a top choice for outdoor and architectural applications.
This species has long been valued for its longevity. Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest relied on Western Red Cedar for everything from canoes to homes, recognizing its dependable performance in harsh conditions. Today, it continues to be a go-to material for siding, decking, fencing, shingles, soffits, and interior paneling. Properly finished and maintained, it can offer decades of low-maintenance use.
Western Red Cedar is also incredibly lightweight, making it easy to handle and install. With a dry weight of approximately 21 pounds per cubic foot and a relative density of 0.32, it’s one of the lightest commercial softwoods available. In situations where the wood is in direct contact with soil or subjected to prolonged moisture exposure, it’s recommended to apply appropriate wood preservatives to maintain structural integrity.
Whether you’re seeking beauty, durability, or workability, Western Red Cedar delivers on all fronts—making it a trusted material for generations.
STK (Sound Tight Knots) Western Red Cedar combines the natural warmth of cedar with a rustic, character-rich appearance. This grade features solid, well-anchored knots that are sound and tight, offering visual interest while maintaining strength and durability. With its natural resistance to decay, insects, and moisture, STK cedar is a popular and cost-effective choice for siding, paneling, fencing, soffits, and other outdoor or decorative applications. It delivers lasting performance while celebrating the natural beauty and texture of real wood.
Clear Western Red Cedar is the top-tier choice for projects where a clean, uniform appearance is essential. These boards are graded for virtually knot-free surfaces, straight grain, and consistent color, making them ideal for high-end siding, trim, fascia, and interior paneling. It maintains the species' natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage, making it a durable option for both interior and exterior applications. Whether you're designing a contemporary façade or finishing a detailed interior, Clear Western Red Cedar offers a polished finish with long-lasting performance.
Pecky Cedar is valued for its naturally occurring pockets and grooves, which give the wood a rugged, organic texture that adds instant character. These elongated voids—caused by a natural fungal process—create a unique visual effect that’s perfect for rustic interiors, accent walls, and custom millwork. While “pecky” is a characteristic, not a grade, its one-of-a-kind appearance makes it a designer favorite for creating warmth and depth in any space. Pecky Cedar can be used unfinished for a weathered look or finished to highlight its dramatic patterns.
