How Can I Tell If Wood Is Cedar?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. is aromatic. Simply put, the stuff smells good. …
  2. Cedar is rot resistant. …
  3. Cedar is relatively lightweight and soft. …
  4. Cedar is (commonly) reddish brown. …
  5. Cedar tends to be somewhat dimensionally stable.

What Colour is cedar timber?

The heartwood ranges from a

pale brown or honey colour through to a richer dark brown

, with older growth timber somewhat darker in appearance. The sapwood is a paler yellowish white colour. Western Red Cedar can be finished with a range of different products to create beautiful designer looks.

What Colour is cedar wood?

Most types of cedar wood are a

pinkish-red color

, though it can have some purple tones as well. As it ages it loses its reddish hues and becomes a silver or gray color.

What undertones does cedar wood have?

With

warm amber undertones

, Cedar is a familiar color. A chameleon, this shade is comfortable in rustic or formal settings. Its down-to-earth mood brings cozy charm to rustic design while its soothing, refined nature complements more sophisticated design elements.

What wood is closest in color to cedar?


Pine

is strong, easy to work with and affordable, making it a staple in the construction industry. Because it's cheaper than cedar, you can use pine to build wood items and then stain them to match the color of your cedar items.

Can cedar be left untreated?

Cedar has natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, allowing you to

leave the wood untreated

without worry of excess warping, rotting and cracking. It does weather, though, changing color throughout time, offering a much more rugged look than stained cedar siding offers.

Should you treat cedar wood?

Cedar offers a

durable

option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. … If you're using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.

Why is cedar wood so expensive?

Cedar is generally more expensive than pressure-treated pine. The reasons behind this are that

cedar is rarer, more resistant, and generally considered more attractive

. For a pine fence, expect to pay around $10 to $20 per linear foot

1

, which includes both the material and labor costs.

Why is cedar so expensive 2020?

The reason lumber prices skyrocketed to astronomical rates in 2020 can be explained using fundamental supply vs. demand economics. Demand for lumber

increased dramatically

during the summer months of 2020 as interest rates for home mortgages and new construction financing fell.

How long does cedar wood last?

Longevity. Cedar decks last

15 to 20 years

, compared to 10 to 15 years for pressure-treated wood. The wood's longevity depends on several factors, including: Quality of the pressure-treated process.

Is red cedar better than white 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

. … 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.

Is Yellow Cedar expensive?

Due to its straight grain and yellow colour,

Yellow Cedar wood is very valuable commercially

. … Similar to the Red Cedar, it is highly decay resistant and strongly aromatic when freshly cut, due to its natural oils.

Is cedar hard or soft wood?

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.

What stain looks good on cedar?

  • Ready Seal Natural Cedar Exterior Stain.
  • Thompson's WaterSeal Waterproofing Stain.
  • Defy Extreme Transparent Exterior Wood Stain.
  • Olympic Stain Elite Woodland Oil Stain.
  • Cabot Semi-Solid Deck & Siding Stain.

What wood goes well with cedar?

If theres going to be more of the mystery wood than the cedar, id go with something

darker, walnut or cherry

maybe, but if the cedar is the majority and the mystery wood is an accent id go lighter.

What wood is comparable to cedar?

Like cedar,

redwood

is used mostly for outdoor projects because of its resistance to moisture. Redwood (California redwood) is fairly soft and has a straight grain. As its name suggests, it has a reddish tint to it. Redwood is easy to work with, is relatively soft (2 on a scale of 1 to 4), and is moderately priced.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.