Western red cedar is one of the most versatile and durable types of lumber contractors use when building a home. In addition to providing a weather-resistant exterior, western red cedar provides a beautiful, rustic touch to the inside of your home.
If you’re looking for the right type of lumber to use while building your home, you must know about the benefits, features, and cost of different types of lumber. Discover more about western red cedar and how it can play a pivotal role in your home today.
What is Western Red Cedar?
Western red cedar is a type of cedar that grows in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. This type of lumber also grows in Alaska, the coastal region of British Columbia, and east into Montana. While there are some western red cedar reserves in other parts of the US, this type of lumber grows in areas with a mild, damp climate.
The root system of the western red cedar is shallow. To make up for their shallowness, western red cedar’s roots spread out very wide, providing the layer of strength they need.
Western Red Cedar Applications
One of the most appealing aspects of the western red cedar is its versatility. Since western red cedar is so resistant to decay, it is a perfect option for the outside of a home. Its unique coloring allows it to provide a rustic-chic look for the inside of your home.
One of the most common uses for western red cedar is roofing. Cedar shake shingles provide a dimensional look for your roof that goes beyond the look you can get from traditional asphalt shingles. Not only are these cedar shingles easy to install, but their durability allows you to enjoy your roof for decades.
In addition to roofing, western red cedar is a great choice for siding. While you can stain or paint western red cedar, its natural beauty adds an elegant touch to the outside of any home.
Additionally, western red cedar is popular for decking, fencing, portable buildings, poles, and weatherboarding. Unlike many “soft” lumber types, western red cedar is strong enough to be useful in many areas of your property’s exterior.
Door frames, window frames, wall paneling, ceiling paneling, and furniture applications make western red cedar popular. In recent years, interior designers have started implementing rustic, farmhouse design elements into their work. Western red cedar is a great choice for the inside of your home if that’s the type of design that you are going for.
Benefits of Using Western Red Cedar
One of the best benefits of western red cedar is its durability. Since western red cedar grows in damp areas, it is resistant to mold and water damage. This makes it a great choice if you’re looking for the right type of lumber to use on the outside of your home. Your home’s siding and roof experience non-stop exposure to the elements, so choosing a type of lumber that is mold-resistant is paramount.
In addition to being resistant to mold, western red cedar is also resistant to termites. Depending on the type of lumber you use on your home, whether inside or out, you may need to work with an exterminator to prevent termite damage. Western red cedar is one of the few types of lumber resistant to termites, protecting the structural stability of your home.
Western red cedar is also one of the most fire-resistant types of lumber on the market. This is important not only for the viability of your home, but also for your finances. Many insurance companies determine the fire resistance of your property before quoting a price for your insurance. When your property has fire-resistant materials, your insurance rates will be lower.
Drawbacks of Western Red Cedar
The only real downside of using western red cedar in and on your home is its cost. Cedar costs more than other types of wood. Since western red cedar is an even smaller subset of cedar, it is more expensive than other cedar types.
All the features that make western red cedar such a good choice make it expensive. In the world of lumber, you get what you pay for. When you choose a beautiful, durable, fire-resistant type of lumber, you will have to pay more for it.
The fact that so much western red cedar comes out of Canada makes it more expensive in the United States. Companies that produce and sell western red cedar must increase the price to cover their own costs of procuring the wood.
Western red cedar is popular among architects, designers, and constructionists. If you’re looking for the right choice of lumber for your property, you should consider western red cedar.
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