| Western
Red Cedar and California Redwood are
from the same genus and have many
similarities. The main difference
is that Western Red Cedar has much
greater structural integrity for two
basic reasons.
First, Western Red
Cedar has far greater flexural toughness
(able to flex without shattering)
than California Redwood. For example,
hydro electricity poles are made of
Western Red Cedar not California Redwood
because vibrations may cause California
Redwood to crack.
Second, California
Redwood has a higher density than
Western Red Cedar and contains more
oils. The effect of this is that California
Redwood is more difficult to glue,
does not retain stain very well, and
is easier to split when screws are
used to fasten pieces together.
Below is a summary
of the benefits of Western Red Cedar:
Density
Western Red Cedar's
low density enhances its insulation
value and makes it an easy wood to
transport and handle.
Dimensional Stability
Western Red Cedar
is hygroscopic and will absorb or
discharge moisture to attain equilibrium
with the surrounding atmosphere. It
has a very low shrinkage factor and
is superior to all other coniferous
woods in its resistance to warping,
twisting, and checking. Western Red
Cedar's dimensional stability makes
it perfectly suited to a variety of
uses in high moisture areas.
Thermal Conductivity
Western Red Cedar
is the best thermal insulator among
the commonly available softwood species.
Acoustical Properties
An important acoustical
property of wood is its ability to
damp vibrations. Western Red Cedar
is particularly effective in this
regard and can be used to reduce noise
or to confine it to certain areas.
Durability
Western Red Cedar
contains natural oils that act as
preservatives to help the wood resist
insect attack and decay. Properly
finished and maintained, Western Red
Cedar will deliver decades of trouble-free
service.
Overall
Western Red Cedar
is light-weight, easy to work, easy
to finish, possessing outstanding
dimensional stability, Western Red
Cedar is a preferred wood for nearly
all purposes where attractive appearance
or resistance to weather is important.
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