Cedarwood has many types, some are stronger and others are not that much.
The strongest species in cedarwood according to the Janka tool, is red cedarwood. The sheet strength of 900 LBS is insane for softwood like this. To be honest, many kinds of wood do not match the strength it has.
in the industries, cedarwood is a perfect choice. It does not get warped, shrank, yellowish, like many other kinds of wood do. Plus, its natural scent makes it insect-proof.
You can know the hardness and comprehensive strength of the woods through a tool known as, the Janka scale.
According to the Janka scale, the woods are marked higher for their more hardness.
It ranks Cedar accordingly:
- Red Cedar- 900 Ibf
Red Cedar is also famous as Juniperus Virginiana, Pencil cedar, and Eastern Juniper. It grows in eastern North America. Due to its slow growth, it appears to be an expensive choice of softwood. The strong aroma lets the insects and moths remain away from it.
- Alaskan Cedar- 580 Ibf
Alaskan Yellow Cedar is readily available in Canada and Alaska. You cannot ignore the beauty of creamy yellow-colored straight grain wood. It is a relatively hard type of Cedar. Its strength and unique characteristic of weather resistance make it an excellent choice for marine construction and park benches.
- White & Red cedar- 320-250 Ibf
Despite the similar properties to other cedars, it still mesmerizes and captivates the users with the fantastic aroma. You will find it hard to resist the blend of lemony and spicy scents. Feel free to make small unique pieces like toys and candlesticks.
- Port Orford Cedar- 720 Ibf
Port Orford cedar grows in Northern California and Oregon. You will not find it easily everywhere. It is rare, and some private lands provide little quantity of its harvest. Therefore, don’t count it as an affordable choice.
- Incense Cedar- 470 Ibf
Incense Cedar Remain in the limelight for its outstanding aroma. The dark red streaks with the light brown color make it highly appealing for the eyes. This version of the cedar wood is durable and highly weather resistant. You can cut and give it your desired shape seamlessly.
Mark it as your favorite choice if you wish to swirl your head in the sweet scent of it from your chest of drawers and storage chests. Nevertheless, you can use its non- splintering grain for the pencils.
Is cedar is softwood or hardwood?
Cedar belongs to the gymnosperms category that means non-flowering trees. In comparison, the hardwood belongs to angiosperms plants.
The only difference that lies between the two types is that angiosperms are flowering plants. It reflects difference in the hardness to a great extent.
You cannot simply deny the fact that hardwoods are denser.
Therefore, softwood is less hard than hardwood.
However, you don’t need to doubt the cedar wood for its hardness. Softwood is equally competent, and some of its variants tend to be equally hard or harder like the hardwood variants.
To be precise, hardwood is not a hard piece. But, softwood is also not a soft version. It can be your better choice at a reasonable price. So, you can look for it if you wish for a sturdy choice.
Basic Characteristics of Cedarwood
The ultimate duo of versatility, lightweight, and aesthetic looks holds Cedar as one of the highest demanding wood, despite being lower on the hardness scale.
Cedar rules the heart of its users because of its ultimate beauty, usability, versatility, and lightweight.
There is something more to it!
You cannot simply ignore its warm red hues with the combination of creamy sapwood touch.
It marks its worth using this natural wood for your wainscoting, walls, and ceilings finishing.
However, don’t count its strength to be like Fir.
But nothing to worry much about; you can mill it into structural materials. Furthermore, you can specifically use Cedar to enhance and compliment your architectural designs with uncovered posts, rafters, and beams.
Why is Cedar a wise choice?
Cedar is an appealing and aromatic, resin-free wood that has natural repellent for insects. Its Characteristics make it an ideal choice to welcome a diversified range of stunning and attractive options.
Cedar is available in various dimensions, grades, and surface textures. Therefore, you can choose Cedar to enjoy the desired effect.
Cedar remains preferable softwood due to the following reasons:
- Highly cost-effective
- Aesthetically appealing
- Easy to install and use
- Cedar forests are sustainable and well managed
- Diversified choices for sizes
- Appealing looks
About cedar wood:
Your dream to get a package of aesthetically beautiful and strong wood at an affordable rate can come true. Cedar is a perfect choice for it.
Undoubtedly, Cedar is softwood. It belongs to Gymnosperms.
Many people doubt it as a weak wood choice, but they are unaware of the iconic beauty and mind-blowing characteristics of Cedar.
