small arrow image Home  small arrow image Species  small arrow image Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar

Scientific Name: Thuja plicata

detail of western red cedar weathered beam and sealed siding on the backOther common names: red cedar, cypress, oregon cedar,giant cedar. Known for its extremely fine and even grain, its flexibility and strength in proportion to its weight, Western Red Cedar is a species of wood whose lumber can be used in a variety of ways. Western Red Cedar is renowned for its high impermeability to liquids and its natural phenol preservatives, which make it ideally suited for exterior use and interior use where humidity is high.
The cellular composition of cedar, millions of tiny air-filled cells per cubic inch, provides a high degree of thermal insulation, approx. 1 R/inch. Old Growth Western Red Cedars' slow growth, dense fiber and natural oily extractives are responsible for its decay resistance and its rich coloring, which ranges from a light milky straw color in the sapwood to a vanilla-chocolate in the heartwood. Second growthy is different. It is a stable wood that seasons easily and quickly, with a very low shrinkage factor. It is free of pitch and has excellent finishing qualities. Go to our technical info section Western Red Cedar is Bear Creek Lumber's main inventory item. Offered in siding patterns, paneling patterns, and boards for board-on-board siding, trim, and fascia. Bear Creek also carries cedar decking, timber and beams, and shakes and shingles. Additional grades and sizes are available upon request. Photo: above left: Weathered WRC Beam and Channel Siding.

Western Red Cedar Products

bevel siding iconRed Cedar Siding
The timeless charm of wood siding. Dutch and lap siding stock...

WRC shingles Shakes and Shingles
Shakes and Shingles for siding and roofing offer added property value at an affordable cost.

wrc post and beam productsPost and Beam
Western red cedar is a premium material for post and beam and timberframe homes.

wrc interior ceilingInterior Ceiling
Warmth and elegance comes with the added value of wood interiors.

red cedar interior paneelingInterior Paneling
Aromatic properties of cedar make it a top choice for paneling...

red cedar channel siding iconChannel Siding
Installed vertically or horizontally, channel siding can be stained to look rustic or painted to look modern

Additional Western Red Cedar Products:

Sauna Boards, Trim, Fascia, Roofing, Logs , Tongue and groove and Sidewall

Visit any of our picture galleries:

WRC Product Pictures, WRC Raw Lumber Pictures, WRC weathered pictures

Available Board Grades

CLEAR VERTICAL GRAIN SAMPLE A AND BETTER CLEAR GRAIN SAMPLE C AND BETTER CLEAR GRAIN SAMPLE D AND BETTER CLEAR GRAIN SAMPLE SELECT TIGHT KNOT SAMPLE
  • cv - Clear Vertical Grain - Pieces may exhibit a few minor characteristics which do not detract from their high appearance and quality.  Limiting provisions include:  very light torn grain, very light skips on the non-graded face and very light warp.
  • a - A & Better Clear - Ideally suited to applications where finishing requirements are less exacting.  Limiting provisions include: small seasoning checks , occasional very light skips on edges and backs. Allows for two small, sound tight knots or their equivalent
  • c - C & Better Clear - Pieces of this grade are of sound wood.  Most pieces are entirely clear or have only a few unimportant characteristics such as: medium stained sap wood , short splits, small pitch streaks and occasional small knots.
  • d - D & Better Clear - This grade accounts for pieces of lumber having one or more characteristics which are of such size and number that the piece is not of C & BTR grade. Medium pitch streaks, limited pin holes, hit and miss skips, two knots approximately 1" or their equivalent.
  • tk - Select Tight Knot - The basis for this grade are the knots, burls and naturally occurring markings which are of fairly uniform distribution and add to the decorative character of the piece. Sound, tight knots: star checked and/or slightly chipped knots permitted.

Note the different colors above. Red cedar, like any other wood, has a range of colors. On special orders we are able to match colors at an extra cost.

Available Patterns

Tongue & Groove , Channel , Pattern 105 , Edge & Center Bead , S4S and custom patterns, call for aavailability

Other Featured Products

western red cedar posts and beams

« Western Red Cedar Timbers and Post and Beam

All beams are available in Clear, Select or Standard and Better grades. Available in lengths up to 24'. Lengths up to 40' available but must be special ordered All Sizes are available

WRC shingles

« Western Red Cedar Shakes and Shingles

The characteristics that make Western Red Cedar a fine exterior siding, decking, and paneling, also make shake and shingle products the most desirable for roofing and sidewall application. Briefly, we will look at the difference between shakes and shingles and their applications. View Shingles In Application.

Shingles are sawn. Shakes are split. Shingles have a relatively smooth surface while shakes have at least one highly textured natural grain split surface. Shingles and shakes make of Western Red Cedar are generally used for roof and sidewall applications in the natural or unfinished state.

A house featuring shingles siding View all Shake and Shingle Products Available from Bear Creek Lumber
  • 18" #1 Resawn 1/2" Shakes
  • 24" #1 Resawn 1/2" Shakes
  • 24" #1 Resawn 3/4" Shakes
  • 24" #1 Tapersplit Shakes
  • 16" #1 Fivex Shingles
  • 16" #2 Fivex Shingles
  • 24" #1 Royal Shingles
  • 24" #2 Royal Shingles
  • 18" #1 Perfections
  • 18" #2 Perfections
  • 18" #1 Fancy Cut Shingles

Photo Caption: (right) This house features shake siding. Wood siding is among one of the best ways to enhance the look of a house.