Cedar wood is widely recognized for its aromatic scent and natural resistance to decay, but its density is a key factor behind its durability and performance in construction and furniture. Understanding whether cedar qualifies as a dense wood reveals essential insights into its strength, longevity, and practical applications across various industries.
What Makes Cedar a Dense Wood?
Cedar, particularly Western red cedar, ranks as a moderately dense hardwood with a Janka hardness rating between 540 and 650 lbf, placing it in the dense wood category alongside other durable species like oak and maple. Its density stems from tightly packed cellular structure and high resin content, which enhances resistance to moisture, fungi, and insect damage. This physical density directly contributes to cedar’s ability to withstand wear and environmental stress, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Density Comparison: Cedar vs. Other Woods
While not the absolute hardest, cedar’s density is superior to many softwoods and comparable to several hardwoods. For instance, cedar’s density allows it to maintain structural integrity under moderate pressure, outperforming pine and fir in resistance to warping, cracking, and moisture absorption. However, softer dense woods like teak or mahogany may surpass cedar in extreme durability. Still, cedar’s balance of strength, lightweight properties, and natural durability makes it a preferred choice for specific applications despite its moderate density rating.
Practical Implications of Cedar’s Density
The density of cedar directly influences its real-world performance. Its weight contributes to stability in furniture and decking, while its low moisture absorption prevents rot—critical for outdoor structures like fences, shingles, and garden boxes. In woodworking, cedar’s moderate density allows for easy shaping without excessive tool wear, supporting both craftsmanship and long-term use. Moreover, its natural density enhances its ability to retain oils and fragrances, a trait valued in cabinetry and decorative items.
Cedar is indeed a dense wood, offering a balanced combination of strength, durability, and workability. Its Janka hardness and tightly packed fibers make it resilient against environmental challenges, securing its role in construction, outdoor projects, and high-quality woodworking. Recognizing cedar’s density helps consumers and professionals make informed choices, leveraging its natural advantages for lasting performance and aesthetic appeal.
Densities of various wood species - apple, ash, cedar, elm and more. Wood Density and Specific Gravity The Following chart will tell you how much weight you can expect from your wood selection. A simple comparison of the lb/ft3 of cedar and any other species will tell you what you can expect in added weight.
In the following chart (chart 1) you will note that cedar weights 23 lbs/ft3. Adding cherry wood will double the weight of any section made from cherry at. The density of wood refers to how heavy it is in reference to a specific size, which is usually measured in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter.
Eastern red cedar is by far the heaviest out of all three cedar types examined today. Common Name (s): Western red cedar, giant arborvitae Scientific Name: Thuja plicata Distribution: Pacific Northwest United States and Canada Tree Size: 165-200 ft (50-60 m) tall, 7-13 ft (2-4 m) trunk diameter Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): SPECIFIC GRAVITY Specific gravity is the ratio of a wood's density to water (with water being 1.00). Two values are provided: basic SG (oven.
Wood density varies across different species, impacting their weight and suitability for various applications. For example, cedar has a density of approximately 23 lbs/ft³ (370 kg/m³), while cherry wood can double the weight of sections made from it. 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. One of the lightest commercial softwoods, the density of Western Red Cedar at oven-dry conditions is approximately 22 pounds per cubic foot with a relative density (specific gravity) of 0.35. Comparative oven-dry densities of cedar and some other softwood species are given in Table 1.
Cedar's low density enhances its insulation value and makes it an easy wood to transport and handle. This chart shows the wood density in kg/m3 of all popular wood species used in decking, siding and flooring applications. Despite its durability, cedar's low density and lightweight nature classify it as a softwood.
This makes it easy to cut, shape, and work with, though it's less dense than hardwoods. Density Cedarwood has a low density compared to other woods. It has the lowest density of all domestic timber types, hence its suitability for boat building.
Wood Grain Pattern Since the cedar tree is a gymnosperm, the grain is often straight and knotty. There are instances where cedarwood shows a figured grain too. Color.