Is this list complete? That’s where you come in.
| Wood Species | Hardness |
| Larch | 590 |
| Spanish Cedar | 600 |
| Douglas Fir | 660 |
| Southern Yellow Pine (short leaf) | 690 |
Is Cedar stronger than pine?
Is Cedar stronger than pine? The Janka scale ranks all wood for hardness, with a higher number correlating with a harder wood. The rating for white pine, one of the most common varieties, is 420. Yellow pine earns an 870, while cedar comes in at an even 900. For the sake of comparison, red oak gets a 1,290 on the Janka scale.
Is cedar wood better than treated pine wood?
Pressure-treated pine is less likely to decay if planted in soil, so the posts often last longer. For fence posts, pressure-treated wood usually holds up better than cedar. You can place this product into concrete for greater durability.
Is cedar a hardwood or a softwood?
No, cedar is not a hardwood. This iconic wood, known throughout the world for its beauty, versatility and spicy aroma, is a softwood. It belongs to a group of plants known as “gymnosperms,” which includes most conifers, such as pine and fir trees. The common term for all gymnosperms is softwoods. But that doesn’t mean all softwoods are lightweights.
How strong is cedar wood?
- Woodworking Know-How
- Woodworking Design Up
- The Nature
How hard is cedar wood?
According to the Janka hardness ratings, Cedar has hardness ratings as follows, Aromatic Red Cedar has a hardness of 900 lbf (4,003 N) Western Red Cedar has a hardness of 350 lbf (1,557 N) White Cedar has a hardness of 320 lbf (1,335 N)
Is cedar harder than maple?
Maple wood is harder and more durable than Cedarwood. Cabinet makers favor Maple for its strong durability. On the other hand, Cedar is softwood with natural weather-resistant properties that make it a good choice for siding, shingles, decking, greenhouses, arbors, and fences.
What is the Janka rating for cedar?
Red maple, used for gym floors and butcher blocks, has a Janka rating of 950. Although western red cedar has a Janka rating of only 320, that doesn't mean it isn't strong — but it does indicate the wood could dent if exposed to high foot traffic and other impacts.
What is the hardest soft wood?
Yellow Pine It has the highest bending strength & compression strength of any wood on our list.
Is oak or cedar stronger?
Mechanical Properties of Oak and Cedar Oak is harder than cedar, with a Janka hardness of 1350 (white oak) and 1220 (red oak) to Eastern red cedar's 900. Western red cedar's Janka hardness is a mere 350.
What is the hardest wood in the USA?
Black IronwoodWhat is the hardest wood in North America? Of locally available woods, Black Ironwood is typically the strongest type of wood you can find in America. It's found in Florida and has a 3,660 lbf (16,280 N) Janka rating.
Is cedar a soft or hard wood?
Examples of softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew. Hardwood refers to wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak, ash or beech.
Is cedar harder than pine?
Hardness. Aromatic red cedar has a Janka rating (used to test the relative hardness of wood) of 900, while southern yellow pine is behind by a bit with a Janka rating of 690. So cedar is a little harder.
Is cedar strong wood?
Cedar is durable and strong– Western Red Cedar is lightweight but stable and is less likely to crack and warp than even treated lumber.
What wood is most similar to cedar?
Cypress weathers to a silver gray over time if left unfinished, similar to cedar, and has enough oil content to resist water and rot for a while. The wood is comparable in softness to the various cedars. The cypress heartwood color varies from a light yellow brown, to reddish and dark brown.
Which is a softer wood pine or cedar?
Cedar has low stiffness, making it suitable for steam bending, whereas pine is a reasonably stiff wood. Pine is softer than Eastern red cedar, with a Janka hardness of 380 (soft pine), 480 (western yellow pine), and 690 (southern yellow pine) to Eastern red cedar's 900. Western red cedar's Janka hardness is a mere 350.
What is the strongest wood on earth?
Generally acknowledged as the hardest wood, lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum and Guaiacum officinale) measures in at 4,500 pounds-force (lbf) on the Janka scale.
What is the most common cedar?
The most common type of commercially available cedar is western red cedar. Other types of cedar include: Incense cedar is famous for its heady aroma. It’s light brown with streaks of dark red and is a very durable, weather-resistant wood.
Where does cedar grow?
It grows only in southern Oregon and northern California, and only small amounts are harvested from private lands. Accordingly, it’s very expensive. It has similar properties of other cedars, but its real charm is its amazing aroma — a spicy, lemony blend that’s unlike anything in the world of wood.
What is cedar wood used for?
It has warm red tones with creamy sapwood streaks and is prized as a natural wood finish for ceilings, walls and wainscoting. It’s not as strong as Douglas-fir, but cedar can be milled into structural members and often is specified for architectural designs that include exposed posts, beams and rafters.
What is a softwood?
This iconic wood, known throughout the world for its beauty, versatility and spicy aroma, is a softwood. It belongs to a group of plants known as “gymnosperms,” which includes most conifers, such as pine and fir trees. The common term for all gymnosperms is softwoods. But that doesn’t mean all softwoods are lightweights.
What is Port Orford cedar used for?
It cuts and shapes easily and is a favorite with furniture builders who use it for making sweetly scented drawers and clothes storage chests. The tight, non-splintering grain of incense cedar is also used to make pencils. Port Orford cedar is rare and not readily available.
Where does Alaskan yellow cedar grow?
Alaskan yellow cedar grows in Alaska and Canada. It’s a beautiful, straight-grain wood that’s a creamy yellow color. It’s strong and relatively hard for a cedar and is used where a combination of strength and weather-resistance is important, such as park benches, bleachers and marine construction.
Is cedar good for a fence?
Outside, cedar has natural weather-resistant properties that make it a good choice for siding, shingles, decking, greenhouses, arbors and fences. It’s considered to be a “durable” wood that can withstand exposure to the elements, but it’s not completely rot-resistant. It doesn’t do well in direct contact with the ground and is susceptible to attack from some kinds of insects. Regular upkeep helps protect cedar. Clear sealers, applied every 2 to 3 years, keep exterior cedar looking fresh.
What is Spanish cedar?
Spanish Cedar. Spanish cedar (cedrela odorata) also known as cedro is a species of cedar that is native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Spanish cedar is light pink or reddish brown. The older the tree the darker the color of the wood tends to get. Like every cedar it is also rot resistant.
Where is red cedar native to?
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) also known as red cedar, Virginian Juniper, Eastern Juniper, Red Juniper, or Pencil Cedar is a cedar species that is native to eastern North America. Eastern red cedar is also commonly known as aromatic cedar because of its unique smell that keeps moths and other insects away.
Why is cedarwood called softwood?
It is only called a softwood because it doesn´t flower. Cedarwood is actually quite strong. The strength of wood is measured with several different types of strength. We will take a look at the two most important types which is the compressive strength and the hardness of the wood.
What does compressive strength tell us?
Compressive Strength will tell us how much weight a type of wood can withstand before it will break or crack. Hardness will tell us how hard the wood is in general. Meaning how resistant is the surface of the wood to scratches, dents, or something similar. Cedar is generally a strong wood.
Why is red cedar used for fence posts?
But it is also quite expencive because of its slow growing nature. Red cedar was commonly used for building fence posts because of its natural rot resistantce and it was used to build closets and chests for clothes because the natural fragrant of the wood is a moth repellant.
What is Western Red Cedar used for?
Like almost all cedar variants western red cedar is also very resistant to decay. So it is mostly used for outdoor construction such as posts, decking, or siding.
Is hardwood harder than softwood?
Hardwood is generally much denser and therefore mostly harder than softwood but there are still some softwood variants, that are equally as hard or even harder than most hardwood variants. In short, hardwood doesn´t have to be hard and softwood isn´t always soft.
How long does cedar last?
Along with moisture, chemicals are also found in cedar. Which is used as oil. This oil prevents insects and fungus. Due to chemicals, cedar lasts for 30-40 years. If maintained properly, it remains durable for more years.
How many cedar species are there?
More than 15 cedar species are available counted into the cedar families. They are very close to each other and they differ in properties of color, hardness, and rot resistance. They are used on the basis of their properties. Its dark color, lightweight, and soft texture make it beautiful and more demanding.
Which is better for exterior cladding: cedar or heartwood?
Some think that softwood is weaker than heartwood but it is not 100% true. Cedar is the best option for exterior cladding as it is a stable wood species. Western Red Cedar is famous for cladding. 3. Ceiling. For the production of the ceiling, paneling is pine, cedar , larch, oak, beech, mahogany, and many.
What is the most attractive wood?
Attractive Appearance. Cedar is generally a more attractive wood, with dark reddish color tones and stained, and treated for a beautiful finish. Due to its uniform grain, it gives a great look for siding and roofs.
How long does it take for cedar to change color?
This process happens very quickly when it is exposed to sunlight. If you are using Cedar for the exterior application then after about 2 weeks. The color will rapidly change from red to gray.
What wood is used for musical instruments?
The choice of wood for the musical instrument depends on what you are striving for in the way of sonic character. But Western Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar are famous for making musical instruments.
What is cedar wood used for?
Cedar Wood Uses. 1. Clothes storage. Cedar Lumber is famous for its aroma. It is widely used for clothing storage such as wardrobes, chests, and trunks. It is also naturally antibacterial and antifungal. So that it is a good option for clothes storage.
What is the color of heartwood?
Color/Appearance: Heartwood reddish to pinkish brown, often with random streaks and bands of darker red/brown areas. Narrow sapwood is pale yellowish white, and isn’t always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Grain/Texture: Has a straight grain and a medium to coarse texture.
Is red cedar a sensitizer?
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Western Redcedar has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as runny nose, asthma-like symptoms, and nervous system effects.
WHAT IS CEDAR?
As discussed previously, it is a softwood. What really is the difference between hardwood and softwood, though? Why does it matter? Because the thing is, the term hard wood and soft wood does not literally mean “wood that is softer or harder”, and only points to the kind of reproductive system they follow.
1. AFFORDABILITY
Pro: It is affordable wood in comparison to hardwood. Buying cedar wood can save you six times the money it would take you to buy any other wood.
2. VERSITALITY
Pros: It comes in a variety of textures, colors, and grades which allows you to make the aesthetic choices you need in order to achieve your dream home.
3. MAINTENANCE
Pros: It is extremely environment-friendly, so you’re never worried about it doing any harm to the planet unlike synthetic wood. Cedar wood even removes greenhouse gases from the air! Since it comes from forests that are sustained and managed, cutting them down does the environment no harm.
4. WORKABILITY
Pros: Since it is lightweight and not as dense as a hardwood, it is easy to cut, hammer for leveling surface, nailing down, and much more! Carving out of cedar wood is much easier and less time consuming as compared to hardwood, and that can save you a lot of money in the long run.
5. ENVIRONMENT SENSITIVE
Pros: Cedar is pretty cool on your feet, so you’re never worried about the hot weather making your home unbearable if you use it anywhere. Since it helps convert greenhouse gases and cool down the area, it is of great use if you’re using it as flooring in hotter areas.
6. FEET FRIENDLY
Pros: It might seem strange to read this, but cedar wood has a texture that is not hard on the feet. Perhaps it’s something one can only understand when they experience it. Think about vinyl flooring being grippy on our feet, or tiles being slippery with certain slippers.
