Western Red Cedar (WRC) is the definitive siding and shake species of North America. Harvested from the old-growth and managed forests of the Pacific Northwest, WRC combines natural beauty, exceptional dimensional stability, and inherent weather resistance into a species that has defined the American exterior for generations.
Color & Appearance
WRC heartwood ranges from pinkish-red to warm chocolate-brown, with lighter sapwood providing contrast. The grain is straight and even, with a fine texture that machines to a smooth, satiny finish. Cedar's natural color variation creates a beautiful multi-tonal appearance on exterior walls, especially in bevel siding applications where the shadow lines accentuate the color range. Left unfinished, WRC weathers to the classic silver-gray that defines coastal and mountain architecture.
Available Profiles
- Bevel Siding (Clapboard): The classic lap siding profile — thick at the butt edge, tapered to a thin top edge. Installed horizontally with each course overlapping the one below. Available in 1/2x6 and 1/2x8. This is the quintessential New England and Pacific Northwest siding profile.
- Hand-Split Shakes: Traditional split-face cedar shakes for roofing and sidewall applications. The hand-split texture creates deep shadow lines and a rugged, authentic appearance. Available in 18" and 24" lengths, medium and heavy grades.
- Haida Skirl (Wavy Edge): A distinctive live-edge profile where the natural wavy edge of the log is preserved along the bottom of each siding board. Haida Skirl creates a rustic, undulating shadow line that evokes the hand-hewn character of historic timber buildings. This is a specialty profile unique to WRC.
Natural Durability
Western Red Cedar contains high concentrations of natural thujaplicins — extractives that give the wood its characteristic cedar aroma and, more importantly, its resistance to decay, fungal growth, and insect attack. WRC is rated Class 2 for natural durability and has been used for centuries by Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples for longhouses, canoes, and totem poles specifically because of its resistance to the wet coastal climate.
Dimensional Stability
WRC has one of the lowest shrinkage rates of any commercial softwood. This means installed cedar siding stays flat, doesn't cup or twist, and maintains tight joints through seasonal humidity cycles. For siding applications where boards are constantly exposed to moisture changes, this stability is critical — it's the reason cedar siding outlasts pine siding by decades.
Performance Specifications
- Janka Hardness: 350 lbf
- Density: ~23 lbs/cu. ft. (one of the lightest commercial species)
- Durability: Class 2 — naturally decay- and insect-resistant
- Stability: Exceptionally low shrinkage coefficient
- Insulation Value: Highest of any commercial softwood — 1.35 R-value per inch
Common Applications
- Bevel (clapboard) siding
- Roof shakes and shingles
- Sidewall shakes
- Exterior trim and fascia
- Fencing and privacy screens
- Pergolas, arbors, and garden structures
- Saunas and hot tub enclosures
