softwood · Thuja plicata
Western Redcedar wood properties
Also known as: giant arborvitae, western red cedar.
| Type | softwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Thuja plicata |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,110,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.37 |
| Density (approx) | 23 lb/ft³ (1.9 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 350 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 5% / 2.4% |
| Region | Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Western Redcedar weighs about 7.7 lb (roughly 23 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 350 lbf is harder than about 1% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: shingles, exterior siding, boatbuilding, boxes, musical instruments.
Durability: Durable to very durable in resisting decay, with variable insect resistance.
Workability: Easy by hand or machine, yet it dents, scratches and sands unevenly.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Western Redcedar:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change table (only eastern redcedar appears), so CT/CR omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.