Cedar Wood Care

Habitat

The majority of Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) grows in coastal forests. Western Red Cedars grow also in the drier interior forests of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana where they are smaller in stature with a tight knotted growth characteristic. Cedars rarely grow in pure stands but are generally found in association with other species. Western Red Cedar forests are predominantly managed forests, in which controlled harvests, natural regeneration and reforestation programs ensure a perpetual harvest.

A Wood Of Warmth And Beauty

Western Red Cedar is, above all, a wood of exceptional beauty. In its natural, unfinished state, it has a richly textured, tactile grain combined with a palette of warm, mellow tones ranging from light amber to deep honey brown. No man-made material can duplicate the depth of cedar's natural luster. It also remains subtly aromatic, and the characteristic fragrance of cedar adds another dimension to its universal appeal.

The Gift Of Durability

Western Red Cedar contains natural oils that act as preservatives to help the wood resist insect attack and decay. Cedar is also a dimensionally stable wood that lies flat and stays straight. Properly finished and maintained, Western Red Cedar ages gracefully and endures for many years.

Cedar is the preferred material for all outdoor applications that seek visual harmony with the landscape combined with stability and durability: from siding and patio decking to fences, planters, screens, shelters and garden furniture. Indoors, cedar's dimensional stability makes it perfectly suited to a variety of uses in high moisture areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and saunas.

Western Red Cedar should be preservative treated if intended for use in applications where it comes in contact with the ground.

FAQs to Care and Customize Master Garden Cedar Products

Why should you use cedar wood for your products?

Do I need to finish your cedar wood products?

Can I paint or stain over your linseed oil finished on your products to match my colors?

What type of finish is more durable than your linseed oil finished but still retains a natural appearance?

How can I achieve an immediate weathered appearance with a low maintenance finish?

Are there any special precautions I should take when painting your cedar wood siding?

My cedar wood products has remained unfinished for several years. How should I prepare the deck and bring back its color before refinishing?

Most of our people have cedar wood in their home or garden structures have question about how to finishes, so we identify a few subjects most of us like to know about dealing with outdoor cedar wood, there are listed on the left column.