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Specialty WoodsRed CedarRed Cedar comes from the Pacific Northwest and is used for the construction of the log walls, especially the species, Engelmann spruce, because of its bright color and large diameter, high thermal value and low maintenance requirements. Characteristics: The Western Red Cedar heartwood varies from a dark redish brown to a light yellow, while the narrow sapwood is almost pure white and generally straight grained with uniform texture and low shrinkage. It is one of the lightest in weight of the commercially important softwoods that holds detail very well, whether for carving or scroll saw projects. It is lightweight and easy to handle, the dust is not toxic, but can make you sneeze. Be sure to use good respiratory protection for all your woodworking projects. It stack cuts beautifully and holds detail very well, whether for carving or scroll saw projects, with low strength when used as beams. Western Red Cedar is the largest of all cedars, slow growing and long-lived. It is completely non-resinous and is one of the most decay-resistant species, suffering little when exposed to the weather without protection...It is popular for making log furniture. Outdoor projects need very little in the way of care beyond a coat of linseed oil every year or so and last down through the generations, which makes it preferred for outdoor and exterior uses. It has a strong aromatic or spicy odour and although it is not as sweet smelling as Aromatic Cedar, its aroma is enjoyable to work with. Density One of the lightest commercial softwoods, the density at oven-dry conditions is approximately 22 pounds per cubic foot with a relative density [specific gravity] of 0.35. Cedar's low density enhances its insulation value and makes it an easy wood to transport and handle. Dimensional Stability Like all woods, Western Red Cedar is hygroscopic and will absorb or discharge moisture to attain equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. However, it has a very low shrinkage factor and is superior to all other coniferous woods in its resistance to warping, twisting and checking. Thermal Conductivity This Wood is an excellent thermal insulator, which is an important characteristic since good thermal insulators help keep buildings cool in the summer and reduce heating costs in the winter. The conduction of heat in wood is directly related to its density. Woods with low density have the highest thermal insulating value because such woods contain a high proportion of cell cavities. In dry wood, these cavities are filled with air which is one of the best known thermal insulators. With its low density and high proportion of air spaces, Western Red Cedar is the best thermal insulator among the commonly available softwood species and is far superior to brick, concrete and steel. It has a coefficient of thermal conductivity [k value] at 12% mc of 0.74 BTU in. per square ft.h degrees F. The R value [the reciprocal of k] for Western Red Cedar is 1.35/in. of thickness. Accoustical Properties An important accoustical property of wood is its ability to damp vibrations. Wood has a cellular network of minute interlocking pores which converts sound energy into heat by frictional and viscoelastic resistance. Because of the high internal friction created by the cellular pore network, wood has more sound damping capacity than most structural materials. Floor, ceiling and wall assemblies of wood can provide effective economical sound insulation and absorption when properly utilized. Western Red Cedar is particularly effective in this regard and can be used to help reduce noise or to confine it to certian areas. Flame Spreading Ratio Flame spreading ratings describe the surface-burning characteristics of interior finishes. They are used to regulate the use of interior finish materials to reduce the probability of rapid fire spread. Materials are burned in a test furnace for a relative assessment of flammability. The lower the flame spread rating, the more the material resists the spread of fire. Workability With its straight grain and uniform texture, Western Red Cedar is among the easiest and most rewarding woods to work with. It takes a fine finish in all hand and machine operations, takes fasteners without splitting and is easily sawn and nailed. When working with Western Red Cedar, sharp cutters are recommended. |
