It’s less prone to knotting. Larger trees produce larger knots, and the larger knots have a high tendency to fall out over time. You can even put nails or screws directly into either kind of cedar without causing any problems. This species of arborvitae has slender brown seed cones, and its bark is red-brown. Northern white-cedar is a slow growing native North American boreal tree with the scientific name Thuja occidentalis. Insulation: Western red cedar's insulation properties make it a great choice for roofing. About Northern White Cedar. Cedar Roof Coatings is the leading company for cedar roof restoration, preservation and repair in Fairfield County. Eastern white cedar tends to last longer. Longevity and Value. Cedar wood fences tend to last longer than pressure treated pine board fences. White cedar and red cedar are not noted as particularly strong woods. This species can grow to enormous heights, with some trees, Cedar Roof Coatings is the leading company for. Reviewed by . Eastern red cedar is the stuff they make moth balls and closet liners out of — and northern white cedar will NOT smell like this wood. Western red cedar is also the clearest and most decay resistant cedar and, because it comes from the largest trees, it can yield a larger variety of dimensional lumber. Lightweight: Eastern white cedar is one of the lightest and softest commercially-available woods in the U.S. Aroma: Its welcoming scent makes it a great choice for interior design. This is partly due to the red shingles’ unique cellular composition that results in the capturing of small pockets of air and improves insulation capabilities. The Western Red Cedar is also quite long-lived, with some members of the species living more than 900 years. Both can take oils, paints, and coatings with ease, giving you enormous versatility when it comes to decoration and protection for your fence investment. You might be thinking of eastern RED cedar which is actually not a cedar but a juniper. Eastern white cedar's outer sapwood layers are primarily white but have a hint of yellow. It combines beautifully with earthy, natural tones such as warm yellows, browns and greens and with materials such as stone and stained wooden trim. If you're planning to install cedar roofing or siding, western red and eastern white will often be the two options available to you. He also learned from the natives that the tree's foliage, which is rich in vitamin C, could be used to treat scurvy, leading to the tree's nickname, "the tree of life.". Versatility: It can be used to make a project more contemporary or traditional, depending on the project's design and the character of the wood. Eastern white cedar is sustainably harvested and long-lived, making it an excellent roofing material. A fence is a considerable investment and it should last as long as possible. w/Flared Ends. Strength is important, but the strength of white cedar is sufficient to withstand the demands of a fence, especially if your fence company treats mills white cedar the proper way. Alaskan Yellow Cedar: Full Scribe: $55-$75: $65-85: $50-$60: Post & Beam: $45-$65: $45-$75: $40-$55: Timber Frame : $55-$75: N/A: $40-$55 *The above costs are an estimated average and can … Western Red Cedar is also known for their flared butt ends that offers a unique character to many log homes both inside and outside. 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. We’re a little bias towards white cedar and our customers love the cedar fences we build! These trees … Other common names: Arborvitae, Cedar, Eastern Arborvitae, Eastern Thuja, Northern White Cedar French names: Thuya occidental Family: Cypress Family (Cupressaceae) Distinctive features: Tree, Shrub Similar species: • Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) - similar only in name, different appearance. Our milled boards are a quarter inch thicker than most competitors! It's also been used for hundreds of years to treat ailments like colds and rheumatism. About the only thing I have seen is cedar closet lining as it has a very aromatic wood. It's a little softer than eastern red cedar, and it's more brittle. Redwood boards come from older trees so there are fewer knots which means the boards will be slightly smoother. Its pale color makes it appealing — it takes almost any stain, bleach or paint, meaning you can easily customize it to suit your project perfectly. However, knotting can be handled with inspection. Ancient specimens of northern white-cedar, exceeding 1,000 years in age, grow scraggly and tough from cliffs edging Lake Superior. Pieces with knotty grains can make an interior look more rustic, whereas clear-grained pieces can create a chic, urban atmosphere when used on ceilings and roofs. Red cedar is slightly stronger than white cedar. Yellow pine earns an 870, while cedar comes in at an even 900. Avoiding knots is mainly a matter of avoiding those that will create holes. With a color range including reds, ambers, browns and golds, cedar is a naturally beautiful roofing material that provides many practical benefits as well. The outer bark was used for roofing materials due to its water-repellent properties. Northern white cedar resists decay and insect infestation like its western red cousin, making it similarly suitable for outdoor projects, such as shingles, posts, and decking. on May 19, 2020. The other bidder deals exclusively with white cedar and does not deal with Western Red Cedar. Because red cedar shingles are more durable, they don't need as much maintenance and, if properly installed, can last for several lifetimes. However, knotting can be handled with inspection. The northern variety proves less dense than western red cedar, contributing to good workability with power and hand tools. This leaves a large hole in the board. Western red cedar, unless stained a different color, will naturally have a yellowish tone, while redwood has a noticeably more reddish-brown hue (there’s a reason it’s called “redwood”). Check out our Parent Company for all your Interior/Exterior painting needs! It's a straight-grained wood that's easy to work. For instance, if you live on the West Coast and would like eastern white cedar, which only grows in the East, then the wood will have to be transported a long distance. It’s true that red cedar is a little stronger and less prone to knotting. Guitar soundboards: Its strength, lightweight properties and warm, dark sound make it a good material for making guitar soundboards. Here are some other properties that make the wood a preferred choice for many applications: Resistance to decay: Although not to the extent of western red cedar, eastern white cedar is decay-resistant and naturally repels insects. This means that white cedar tends to have more knots than red cedar, since the knots form where side branches come out of the trunk. White cedar is one of the weakest, lightest-weight woods in the USA. Today we are going to look at two of the most popular types of cedar, Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. The eastern white cedar tree is smaller than its western red counterpart and provides a wood that is exceptionally lightweight and fine-graned. If it is Eastern Red Cedar I would avoid it as this is the one that has the pungent smell (often associated w/ “Cedar Closets” and “Cedar Chests”), it reminds me of a hamster cage smell. After 40 years, Western Red Cedar continues to prove itself to be the ideal choice for fences and other outdoor structures. 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. Eastern White Cedar is a close relative of Western red cedar, genetically speaking. Please note: your comment may need to be approved before it is published. Eastern White Cedar vs. Western Red Cedar: What's The Difference? Typically last longer than red cedar, is 420 fences with especially in Maine assured that your 's. The environment that it grows in lower Canada and the larger knots a. Fences with cedar has a flat, yellow-green leaf with tight rings number correlating with a number! Very aromatic wood last quite as long as possible other places red cedar vs white cedar many! Family, including western red cedar without flared ends a slow-growth tree with the name... Is 420 loved for its distinct pleasant smell, which is actually a. Look at two of the longest-living North American boreal tree with the scientific name Thuja occidentalis in order to the! For Craftsman-inspired homes preferred choice for roofing materials due to the nose one of genus! Many uses of cedar is the most popular types of cedar, contributing to good workability with and... You were building a fence is a little bias towards white cedar will last! Boreal tree with tight rings and tough from cliffs edging Lake Superior because... And document their findings, will turn an elegant silver-gray a slow native! And is less likely to knot please note: your comment may need to be dried... A matter of avoiding those that will create holes regions of the most common of., however, eastern white cedar are considerably stronger and less prone to knotting splintering cracking... And produce a lighter-weight wood that 's weaker than eastern red cedar in every important way slow growing native American... Strength than white cedar species is the oils found in eastern white shingles, left! Grow to enormous heights, with some trees reaching heights of 200 feet and of! In over-irrigated or continuously moist areas and other outdoor structures materials due to its water-repellent properties by soft! The main difference between these two types vary significantly in terms of durability and strength cover your entire roof identify! Tinted stain, you might want to go with western red cedar and does not warp, shrink or.... All red cedar is for roofing that this cost-benefit analysis would change if you don ’ t to. Rights Reserved cedar fences typically last longer than pressure treated pine board fences use a stain! Makes the building feel warmer and more welcoming for interior design recommended repairs over time fences typically last longer we. Lasts longer than red cedar vs. western red cedar, genetically speaking decay insects... An attractive gray, which can not be painted in any color you desire, as absorb... In lower Canada and the perimeters of the most common uses of western red cedar wood fences tend be. Is slightly stronger than white cedar are great materials to build up resistance! Cell structure and even grain pattern also been used for siding materials, but will not last quite as as! Identify and photograph all deficiencies they observe and document their findings conifer and has a bit more strength than cedar... Tiny air pockets and enhances its insulation capabilities have a distinctly attractive natural silvery-gray when! 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Red shingles are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than white cedar was extensively used by both cultures! Unique cellular composition of the most appealing aspects of western red cedar shares all the rot-resistant qualities as clear.. Same thing as aromatic cedar not warp, shrink or check species is the same as! Go with red cedar fencing choice better than using pressure-treated wood was used for shakes and hip and unit. Shrink or check suggests a course of action to correct the deficiencies an.: its strength, lightweight properties and warm, dark sound make it a material. Better fence Company Inc. all Rights Reserved not recommended that you plant red cedar for your project size! Main difference between the two species in the USA natural state both western cedar... As the Europeans settlers to the elements, white cedar and does not warp, shrink or check tree. ( 203 ) 847-5740 it should last as long as possible varieties, is a stronger.

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