About Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar belongs to the cypress family and also goes by the name Huge Thuja. It is characterised by scale leaves that are green all year round and the dark, reddish-brown bark. The ideal habitat of the tree is along the American west coast all the way up to Alaska. Frøslev gets Western Red Cedar from Canada where we get the best quality. We only use certified wood.

Due to its beautiful appearance and excellent durability, Western Red Cedar is very popular to use for façade cladding.

Characteristics

Western Red Cedar has a beautiful, brown shade that patinates over time into the silvery grey shade depending on the impact from the elements. The cut tree has a very pleasant smell.

The wood is divided into the narrow, light sapwood and the brown heartwood. The wood is resin free.

The branches do not grow in whirls, and the knots are evenly distributed throughout the entire length of the tree. However, the wood is largely knotless which is also one of the reasons that it is so popular.

Processing and protection

The density is low, and the wood can easily fray and get a fuzzy surface when processed. However, using the right tools will prevent this.

Western Red Cedar is very durable as it naturally contains fungicides. There is no need for further impregnation, and the Western Red Cedar is therefore a good alternative to pressure-impregnated wood for façade cladding where it has an exclusive look.

To the greatest extent possible, all wood must be protected by 'structural protection' which means that you plan and build in such a way that the wood is ventilated and water is drained off so that the tree can dry out.

Wood is a natural material and, like other wood species, Western Red Cedar will patinate into a silvery grey shade. It must be regularly treated with oil to keep the original glow. It is important to clean the covering of impurities before treatment.

Note

Please note that the Western Red Cedar breaks down zinc and aluminium alloys. To avoid corrosion, suitable nails and screws must be used. Predrilling is recommended for installation as the wood easily cracks during nailing and screwing.