What is the difference between cedar and redwood

What is the best material for your deck or outdoor project? Redwood has grown-in preservatives that give it both resistance to rot and insects. Western Red Cedar shares many of the characteristics that redwood has Western Red Cedar shares many characteristics with redwood.

It is also a very stable and rot-resistant wood. The main difference between the two is appearance Redwood is the best choice for decking in wood. Redwood has grown-in preservatives that give it both resistance to rot and insects When deciding if Treated Yellow Pine is a commonly used option for decking.

Most often, price is the main reason for picking treated pine When deciding if composite decking is right for your project, consider durability and maintenance versus cost. Composite decking is the rising star in deck material, mostly due to low maintenance requirements Ready to dress your outdoor project for that professional look? They both have resistance to pests, but how they stand to the weather and their longevity characteristics differ.

It is essential to know about the physical characteristics of these two kinds of wood. You need to be aware of the appearance, strength, grain structure, shrinkage properties, and weather resistance of each wood type.

Once you familiarize yourself with these characteristics, you can use each type appropriately in your woodworking projects.

We value cedar and redwood for similar attributes that make them suitable for building projects. Many of the features also make both these types of wood the right choice for indoor applications, although they play a prominent role in construction projects and making fences and posts.

Both these wood species create natural oils that render them resistant to insects. However, a few other characteristics distinguish one from the other. We will study these differences here to have a better idea about these two types of wood. It makes redwood highly resistant to any deterioration, even if left outdoors and exposed to the elements. It is the heart of the redwood log that is most weather resistant. While the heartwood has a reddish hue, the outer wood, known as the sapwood, has white and red shades.

Hence, if you want wood that will weather well, you need to purchase the heartwood. Or else, you can use the sapwood if you want wood that is more decorative. This wood is similar to redwood and produces natural compounds that make the wood resistant to pests and rot. Most varieties of cedar , except perhaps aspens, show weather-resistant properties like redwood. Although it is difficult to differentiate which one is better in terms of color, there is a distinct difference between these two types of wood.

Redwood, true to its name, takes on a reddish-brown coloration. So, although redwood may have a leg up in strength and durability, cedar has the best price point. At the end of the day, it all comes down to supply and demand. The availability factor will depend on your region, but overall western red cedar is in much greater supply than California redwood.

Producing almost 1 billion board feet a year , cedar is easily accessible anywhere in the country. Redwood is definitely the popular choice for projects in the Northwest region of the U. Up to you. The bottom line is you need to choose the best option for your specific project. Thinking about the look you want, your budget, and product availability will help you decide if redwood or cedar is better for you.

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It comes down to your personal preference. Grain Your project or budget may determine the type of grain or number of knots you want in your wood. Redwood for smoothness, but your project will ultimately decide. Environmental-Impact 3. White cedar is lbs pounds per square foot. However, you notice the difference when working with the wood — redwood feels a bit more solid than the cedar.

Both will last up to 15 years give or take untreated — but after that, expect to see serious rot or decay if you continue to neglect treatment.

Finally, both will scratch and nick easily. For instance, you could dig the edge of your boot heel into a cedar deck with moderate pressure and make a mark. Same with redwood. Properly cared for, each provides exceptional value. A stained redwood or cedar deck, in any style, stands out for looks. The value, overall, depends largely on you, the builder, and the owner of the deck or fence.

For example, if you live in the Northeast, then a redwood deck may be more highly valued due to its scarcity in the area. Properly caring for your wood and choosing grades of lumber that are clear or with fewer blemishes will be an asset to your home, whether you intend to sell or simply want to impress visitors. Redwood lumber distributors will readily tell you that their lumber is available anywhere in the US, but that is simply not true.

Big box stores like Lowes or Home Depot do not stock redwood in many of their stores, particularly as you get further away from the Pacific Northwest. Cedar, however, is stocked in most big box stores throughout the country. Eastern White Cedar is available on the east coast, but Western Red Cedar is the most copious cedar species available throughout the country.

Both trees are soft, making them easy to lift and cut. Cedar is softer, especially Eastern White Cedar, making it prone to tear out when cutting on a saw. Use of fasteners compatible with the wood is critical. With all the tannic acids in redwood lumber, the only fasteners that will work without leaving black stains are stainless steel screws. Cedar can also get black stains from fasteners, so stainless fasteners for cedar lumber are a good idea.

Since cedar is typically lighter than redwood, black stains can be more visible. Risking galvanized or aluminum screws are not worth having to replace deck boards in the future — use stainless.

As mentioned above, the value of redwood and cedar only applies if the lumber is properly maintained. For cedar, an oil-based, semi-transparent stain will still give the cedar its natural look while penetrating the wood to prevent moisture damage. Redwood lumber maintenance should be similar to cedar: semi-transparent oil-based stain. How frequently should you re-apply?