We Love Cedar
We Think You Will, Too
CedarTec™ products are made from pure Canadian Western Red Cedar—a beautiful, sustainable wood that is naturally rot- and decay-resistant. We use real Western Red Cedar—not spruce or pine. Why?
It’s Gorgeous
With its fine, straight grain and uniform texture, Western Red Cedar produces long lengths of timber with true, straight grain. It’s the preferred wood for nearly all purposes where attractive appearance or resistance to weather is important.
Natural Durability
Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata) is renowned for its natural beauty and outstanding physical properties that make it one of the world’s most unique softwood species. It is slow growing, which makes it naturally durable. Classified as a “durable wood” by building codes across North America, its heartwood is permitted in exterior applications without preservative treatments.
Thermal Insulating Properties
Western Red Cedar’s low density gives it an insulation value superior amongst other species. These exceptional thermal insulating properties protect a building from extreme heat and cold. Cedar siding provides far better thermal protection than concrete, brick and stone.
Flame Spread and Smoke Development Ratings
The flame spread and smoke development classifications of cedar exceed the minimums set by building codes, allowing it to be used in many applications without treatment. Canadian and American code requirements for wood flame spread are 150 and 200, respectively. Western Red Cedar has a remarkably low rating of 69; and when it comes to smoke and flame ratings, the lower the number the better. The smoke development classification for Western Red Cedar is 98, which is less than the code specifications for Canada, at 300, and the US, at 450.
Workability
Western Red Cedar has a fine, straight grain and uniform texture that make it easy to cut, saw and nail with common tools. These features contribute to its ability to be planed to a smooth surface or machined to any pattern. Western Red Cedar is highly resistant to splitting caused by fasteners.
Gluing Properties
Western Red Cedar’s freedom from pitch and resin make it an excellent base for all types of paints and stains. The lack of pitch and resin allows Western Red Cedar to hold glue bonds from a wide range of adhesives. Finger-jointed siding is an excellent example, making it a highly durable and desirable product.
