The Western Red Cedar : Thuja plicata

The Western Red Cedar is found mainly in Western Canada and the United States, from southern Alaska to northern California. Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata) is known for its natural beauty and outstanding physical properties that make it one of the world's most unique softwood species. This exceptionally beautiful wood has natural coloring in mellow ambers, reddish cinnamons and rich sienna browns. Its warm coloring is complimented by a uniform, fine-grained texture with a satin luster. Slow growing and naturally durable, Western Red Cedar has one of the longest lifespan of any North American softwood. It produces long lengths of timber with true, straight grain. A large tree, the Western Red Cedar grows to more than 60 meters high and can live up to 800 years.
   

It is free from pitch and its heartwood has natural decay resistance. Its low density gives it an insulation value superior to most other species. Light weight, easy to work, easy to finish, possessing outstanding dimensional stability, Western Red Cedar is a preferred wood for nearly all purposes where attractive appearance or resistance to weather is important.

This wood is classified as a durable, which permits the use of its heartwood in exterior applications without preservative treatments. The heartwood contains extractives that are toxic to decay causing fungi. The two principal extractives that are responsible for the decay resistance are Thujaplicans and water soluble phenolics. The three's ability to produce these extractives increases with age making the outer regions of heartwood the most durable.

The Red Cedar wood our cabin are made from is up 300 years old. For INFRADOC infrared cabin making its heartwood is taken (In general, sapwood, regardless of species has a low resistance to decay).

Western Red Cedar is an excellent thermal insulator. The low density and presence of air spaces make it the best insulator of any available softwood. These exceptional thermal insulating properties protect a construction from the extremes of heat and cold.

Western Red Cedar has a fine, straight grain and uniform texture that make it easy to cut, to saw and nail with common tools. These features also contribute to its ability to be planed to a smooth surface.

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 of the application of this feature to create a highly desirable product.