The Wood Guide · The wood register
Softwood · referenceIts scent, natural resistance and warm appearance have made cedar a favourite for centuries. But behind that one name are trees that are botanically very different.
Western red cedar treeThuja plicata
Cedar wood
Its scent, natural resistance and warm appearance have made cedar a favourite for centuries. But behind that one name are trees that are botanically very different.
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Two botanically different groups are sold under the same label — and they differ considerably in hardness, durability and weight.
Conifers from the Mediterranean and the Himalayas, belonging to the Pinaceae. Lebanon cedar and Atlas cedar are the best known.
Trees that have historically also been called "cedar" because of their scent and properties. The best known is Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) — so botanically not a cedar at all.
Always check the botanical name at the timber merchant. If you buy "cedar" without further specification, you do not really know what you are getting.
From the west coast of North America, from California to Alaska — by far the most widely used in outdoor construction.
The legendary cedar of the Middle East, used by the Phoenicians and Egyptians for ships and temples.
Native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria; botanically closely related to Lebanon cedar, but faster growing.
Cedar combines properties you rarely find together in one wood species — which explains its popularity with builders and furniture makers alike.
Western Red Cedar is in durability class 2 according to EN 350. Natural extractives in the heartwood give it resistance to rot and fungi, without you applying anything.
The volatile compounds keep moths, mosquitoes and other insects away. That is exactly why cedar chests and wardrobe linings have traditionally been popular for wool and clothing.
Around 370 kg/m³ air-dry — roughly half that of oak. And it moves little with changing humidity, so it stays dimensionally stable.
Soft enough to saw, plane and screw easily, but strong enough for structural work. It takes paint, stain and oil well.
As a softwood, cedar has relatively low thermal conductivity — useful for cladding panels where insulation plays a role.
The high content of natural extractives can interfere with some types of glue. Preferably use a PVA-based glue or resorcinol glue.
From the garden to the bedroom — the combination of light weight, durability and workability makes it widely usable.
| Use | Why cedar |
|---|---|
| Cladding and weatherboarding | Weather-resistant, stable and light — little load on the structure |
| Decking and boardwalks | Rot-resistant, pleasant barefoot, weathers elegantly to silver-grey |
| Pergolas and canopies | Lightweight, easy to install, holds its shape |
| Garden furniture | Aromatic, durable and warm in character |
| Interior finishing and panelling | Scent, looks and a heat-insulating effect |
| Wardrobes and chests | The insect-repellent extractives — for centuries the classic moth-repellent lining |
| Woodcarving | Soft texture and fine grain, pleasant with hand tools |
If you are considering garden furniture, you will often compare cedar with teak, acacia or pressure-treated spruce. An honest overview.
| Property | Western Red Cedar | Teak | Robinia | Pressure-treated spruce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durability class | Class 2 | Class 1 | Class 1–2 | Class 3–4 after treatment |
| Weight | ±370 kg/m³ — very light | ±670 kg/m³ | ±750 kg/m³ | ±450 kg/m³ |
| Maintenance | Optional | Optional | Optional | Every 1–2 years |
| Price range | Medium to high | Investment | Medium | Entry level |
| Distinctive | Scent, insulation, light | Own oil, very stable | European and very hard | Affordable and light |
We do not work with cedar ourselves. Our garden furniture is made from pressure-treated spruce, Douglas fir, teak and other hardwood. Cedar is in our register because you often come across it in cladding and garden structures — and because the confusion over the name is worth explaining.
No, and that is the main pitfall. "Cedar" is a collective name for botanically different trees: true cedars from the pine family and false cedars from the cypress family, such as Western Red Cedar. Always ask for the botanical name.
Because of volatile compounds in the heartwood. That scent is not only pleasant but also functional: it keeps moths, mosquitoes and other insects away. Hence the centuries-old tradition of cedar chests for wool and clothing.
Western Red Cedar reaches durability class 2 and can be used outdoors untreated. It then weathers to silver-grey, just like teak. If you want to keep the warm colour, treat it periodically with oil or stain.
Western Red Cedar weighs around 370 kg/m³ — roughly half as much as oak. That makes it ideal for cladding and pergolas, where you do not want to load the structure more than necessary.
No. Our garden furniture is made from pressure-treated spruce, Douglas fir, teak and other hardwoods. Cedar is here as a reference — it often turns up in cladding and garden structures.
Cedar is one of the reference species in our register — wood we do not work with ourselves, but do know well.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Thuja plicata — NPS photo, Public domain · Thuja plicata — Mike Trask, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Thuja plicata — Steve Redman (MORA), Public domain
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