What is the difference between Cedar and red cedar?
Western Red
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- The Western Red Cedar. The Western Red Cedar or Pacific Red Cedar is an evergreen that belongs to the genus Thuja. ...
- The Eastern Red Cedar. ...
- Distinguishing Cedars and Junipers. ...
Can You whitewash Red Cedar?
To start, consider the natural color of the wood you intend to whitewash. For example, pine is quite pale, in shades of white and yellow, but it will naturally age to an orange/brown tint. Red oak has a natural pinkish hue, walnut a deep brown, and cedar a red. Whitewash will soften the wood's natural color but not necessarily whiten the wood.
What is northern white cedar?
Northern white-cedar is a slow growing native North American boreal tree with the scientific name Thuja occidentalis. Arborvitae is another name for the tree in its cultivated and commercially grown from which is planted in yards and landscapes throughout the United States.
What is white cedar?
White cedar is an evergreen or coniferous tree, and is a softwood, in contrast to trees like maple and oak, which are deciduous and called hardwoods. Its Latin name is “thuja occidentalis” – other names are eastern white cedar, northern white cedar, arborvitae and eastern arborvitae.
How can you tell the difference between red cedar and white cedar?
White Cedar vs Red Cedar: It's What's Inside That Counts Western Red Cedar gets its name from its red color, while Northern White Cedar is lighter and has a yellow hue. Make a crosscut into the trunk, and you'll see that both trees have two rings. The outer, lighter color ring is the sapwood.
What is white cedar good for?
Northern White Cedar has a variety of human uses. The wood, which is light-weight and resistant to decay, is used to make products that come into contact with water and soil. The wood is used commercially for rustic fencing, cabin logs, poles, and shingles. The wood has also been used for paneling and boat-making.
Is red or white cedar more expensive?
A picket fence, for example, uses far less material than a shadowbox or privacy fence, so is much more affordable. Red cedar again will be the higher-cost material. Where do you live? White cedar is more available east of the Mississippi, so less expensive there.
Which is more rot resistant red or white cedar?
Resistance to decay: Western red cedar is the most decay-resistant cedar, making it great for outdoor construction projects like shakes and shingles. It is also one of the longest-living North American softwood trees.
Does white cedar smell like red cedar?
Holds paint well. Odor: Northern white cedar has a distinct (though comparatively mild) cedar-like smell when being worked.
Do cedars attract mosquitoes?
The mosquitoes are attracted to the moist, shaded growing conditions cedars thrive in. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, so cedars growing in moist soils, near ponds or low-lying areas of the landscape, will have mosquitoes nearby.
Which cedar is best?
The red cedar, which is also known as western red cedar, is the preferred kind for building materials. The main reasons are its lightness, its resistance to insects, water and rot, and for its unmistakable red colour and aromatic smell.
What type of cedar is best for fencing?
Western Red CedarWestern Red Cedar continues to prove itself to be the ideal choice for fences and other outdoor structures. Western Red Cedar contains natural tannin oils that protect it from weathering, rotting, decay, and termite damage.
What kind of cedar should I use for a deck?
Overall, western red cedar is a great choice to use for a new deck. In fact, cedar can be used for the substructure as well, making a beautiful deck from bottom to top, literally. It's an option that is more stable and less harmful to the environment than pressure treated wood.
Does white cedar need to be sealed?
Does white cedar need to be sealed? As stated above, yes White Cedar needs to be sealed to obtain maximum life for a fence. Northern White Cedar takes paints and stains very easily. Using a clear sealer, stain or paint will prevent white cedar from turning gray.
Should I stain white cedar?
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
What kind of cedar should I use for outdoor furniture?
The two most common cedar species used in the U.S. for outdoor furniture are Western red cedar and Eastern white cedar. Each type of cedar is beautiful, strong and durable, perfect for most types of outdoor furniture.
What is the difference between white cedar and red cedar?
The main differences between white cedar and red cedar are in terms of durability and strength. Red cedar is slightly stronger than white cedar fence. It’s less prone to knotting. Knotting is a serious issue in fencing. Knots in wooden fences are common.
How long does white cedar fence last?
White cedar fencing lasts longer than red cedar fencing. In most cases, white cedar fences can last for a good 10 years or more. The natural oils of white cedar fences are stronger than red cedar fences’ oil.
Why is wood used for fencing?
For starters, wooden fence has a beautiful natural appearance. It gives a warm, inviting and comforting feel to any space.
Can you air dry cedar?
You don’t need to artificially treat either of the materials. Both white cedar and red cedar can air dry easily. In addition, white cedar and red cedar can absorb paints and oils without any problem. These fences look extremely beautiful.
Is red cedar good for a fence?
Generally speaking, both white and red cedar fences are. excellent materials for constructing fences. Both materials contain natural oils and are easy to work with. They are also resistant to cracking, rotting, warping or weather damage because they have natural oils. You don’t need to artificially treat either of the materials.
What is the difference between eastern white cedar and western red cedar?
Compared to western red cedar, eastern white cedar has a lighter color palette. Eastern white cedar’s sapwood holds true to its namesake by featuring a white color. There are some small touches of yellow that add some color, but that’s about it. Meanwhile, the heartwood of eastern white cedar is noticeably darker.
What color is cedar?
The color will differ depending on whether you’re looking at sapwood or hardwood. In western red cedar, you’ll notice that the sapwood tends to take on a rich brown color. It’s quite distinctive and the contrast it creates with the grass in your yard is striking.
What is the best cedar for fencing?
It’s probably the top cedar variant from that perspective. Build your fence out of western red cedar and it will hold up to the elements for a very long time. The natural sturdiness of western red cedar only makes it a better candidate for building fencing.
What is the grain of wood used for fencing?
Grain. The grain of the wood you’re using for fencing provides some vital pieces of information. It can tell you how strong the wood is and the kind of texture it features. Paying attention to the grain is also important if you want to build the most attractive fence possible.
Where can I find cedar trees?
Unsurprisingly, western red cedar trees are found along the western portion of the United States. They are easy to find in the state of Oregon.
Is eastern white cedar good for your yard?
The stability of eastern white cedar also means that it can remain a reliable fixture in your yard. What makes eastern white cedar so interesting though is the way that it ages. You’ll notice it start to turn gray as it grows old, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Is Eastern white cedar lighter than red cedar?
Eastern white cedar is lighter compared to western red cedar. The difference in weight isn’t that great, but it remains noticeable. You should note how heavy the cedar is because you will likely be lugging it around often. Choosing a lighter wood can help reduce the amount of strain you put on your body.
How long does a white cedar fence last?
However, white cedar’s oils are stronger. White cedar fences typically last longer than red cedar fences do, often as much as 10 years longer. That’s a significant difference. A fence is a considerable investment and it should last as long as possible.
What is the best cedar to use for a fence?
Any way you slice it red cedar and white cedar are wonderful materials for constructing fences, or anything else that you might ever want to build outdoors. They offer many of the same benefits.
What is the phone number for cedar fences?
We’re a little bias towards white cedar and our customers love the cedar fences we build! To find out more about our company and what we can build for you, contact us or call us for a free estimate (262) 251-6766!
Why would you pay more for a red cedar fence?
Because red cedar isn’t a lumber located near our area, you would end up paying a lot more for a red cedar fence because of the additional shipping costs.
Is white cedar more environmentally friendly?
In addition, in areas like Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Cedarburg, Mequon, Glendale and Menomonee Falls white cedar is simply the more environmentally friendly choice because it’s local. It doesn’t have to be shipped in from the West Coast like red cedar does. That means you save because getting the lumber here isn’t as expensive.
Is red cedar stronger than white cedar?
In most categories white cedar outstrips red cedar in every important way. It’s true that red cedar is a little stronger and less prone to knotting. However, knotting can be handled with inspection. Avoiding knots is mainly a matter of avoiding those that will create holes. Otherwise they are a natural part of any wood fence.
Can you put screws in cedar?
Both woods are nice because they aren’t prone to splintering and cracking. You can even put nails or screws directly into either kind of cedar without causing any problems. Neither wood needs to be artificially dried or treated in order to be successful.
What is the difference between cedar and white cedar?
One significant difference between the two cedar species is the oils they contain , which affects their rot resistance and lifespan. The oils found in eastern white cedar are considerably stronger and can last up to a decade longer. One choice may cost more and/or have a greater environmental impact.
Which cedar is stronger, red or white?
Western red cedar has a bit more strength than white cedar and is less likely to knot. However, eastern white cedar is still strong enough to meet the needs of most construction projects. Eastern white cedar tends to last longer. One significant difference between the two cedar species is the oils they contain, ...
What is cedar roofing?
With a color range including reds, ambers, browns and golds, cedar is a naturally beautiful roofing material that provides many practical benefits as well. Used on residences and commercial buildings around the world, cedar roofing is available in shingles, shakes and hip and ridge unit formats.
What is Eastern White Cedar used for?
Uses. Eastern white cedar is used often for sidewall and roof applications and is commercially used for lumber, rustic posts and fencing, poles, shingles and log cabin construction. The species replenishes itself in approximately 35 years, allowing for sustainable harvesting.
Why is cedar bark used for roofing?
The outer bark was used for roofing materials due to its water-repellent properties. It's also been used for hundreds of years to treat ailments like colds and rheumatism. It wasn't until the 20th century that other places discovered the many uses of western red cedar.
What is the purpose of red cedar?
The bark was used to make blankets, clothing, baskets and rope, and the logs were used for canoes, masks, community longhouses and intricate totem poles.
What is the color of Eastern white cedar?
Eastern white cedar's outer sapwood layers are primarily white but have a hint of yellow. Its inner heartwood is mostly pale brown but has occasional red tones. The wood is finely textured, lightweight and makes for an efficient material when it comes to building.
Why are white cedar shingles so durable?
This is because they have a brittle, fibrous quality which makes them more likely to split or crack, especially during installation. This necessitates more maintenance work than red cedar roofs. You have to clean and treat your roof periodically to guard against rapid deterioration.
Can you paint red cedar shingles?
The tannic acid in red cedar causes the shingles to eventually darken and become blotchy. Unlike the white shingles, you cannot paint red cedar shingles. They have a poor absorption capacity and do not readily catch stain or paint. If painted, you get streaks and blotches on your cedar roof. The shingles also cost more than the white shingles which may hamper installation. Unfortunately, the regeneration rate of the Western red cedar is much slower than that of the white cedar. Use of red cedar shingles may contribute towards the depletion of a historical tree species.
What is the difference between Chinese cedar and Western red cedar?
You can usually identify a Chinese Cedar Picket by the thickness of the board. When referring to boards, dimensions are approximations, however a 1 x 4 Western Red Ce dar board is typically closer to a true 1″ thi ckness, while Chinese Cedar is closer to 3/4″ thick.
What is clear cedar grade?
Wood is graded for clearness and amount of defects after it is manufactured. Clear cedar, which is a higher grade than #1, comes from the heart (center) of the tree and has no knots and few blemishes. Clear cedar is not commonly used for building fences because of the much higher cost.
What type of cedar is used for cedar fences?
At A Better Fence Company, we use ONLY Western Red Cedar for our cedar fences, arbors and pergolas. After 40 years, Western Red Cedar continues to prove itself to be the ideal choice for fences and other outdoor structures. Western Red Cedar contains natural tannin oils that protect it from weathering, rotting, decay, and termite damage. It is a light weight wood which causes less stress on the posts and framework of the fence, and it is naturally more water repellent than other types of wood. Using this type of wood will mean a longer lasting fence with less repairs needed over the course of its life. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association estimates that three trees are planted for every one that is harvested, ensuring the long-term sustainability for this remarkable natural resource.
Why is cedar not used for fences?
Clear cedar is not commonly used for building fences because of the much higher cost. Cedar that is graded #1 comes from closer to the heart of the tree than #2, and has fewer and smaller knots. The knots that it has are “quality knots”, meaning that they are less likely to fall out and become holes in your fence.
What is cedar used for?
Many people know that cedar is a type of wood that is known for being ideal for use in building outdoor structures because of its resilience and ability to withstand harsh weather. What some may not be aware of is that there are many types of cedar (and other woods that are commonly referred to as cedar that are not actually cedar), that do not possess the same qualities that make it ideal for outdoor use. Making sure that the right type of cedar is being installed will make a huge difference in the quality, look, and overall longevity of your fence.
What grade of wood is used for a fence?
Some fence companies will charge you a higher price for #1 Grade Western Red Cedar, but will install #2 Grade Western Red Cedar instead, or worse, a type of wood that is not Western Red Cedar, in order to make a higher profit while hoping that you won’t be able to tell the difference.
Can you stain a red cedar fence in Texas?
Most fence suppliers in North Texas do not offer Pre-Stained #1 grade Western Red Cedar pickets. If you choose the Pre-Stained option, you are more than likely going to get a #2 grade cedar, unless that fence company has a staining facility where they stain the pickets themselves.
