Western Red Cedar vs Eastern Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) are two woods people often weigh against each other. Eastern Red Cedar is the harder of the two at 900 lbf on the Janka scale, versus 350 lbf for Western Red Cedar, which affects how each handles wear, tools, and denting.
| Property | Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata | Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Softwood | Softwood |
| Cost | $$ · Moderate | $$ · Moderate |
| Hardness | 350 lbf | 900 lbf |
| Workability | Good | Good |
| Seasonal movement | Small | Small |
| Outdoor-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Origin | Domestic (North America) | Domestic (Eastern US) |
| Commonly built | Outdoor planters, Deck furniture, Cedar chests, Fence panels, Sauna benches | Cedar chests, Closet lining, Fence posts, Outdoor furniture |
| Overview | Lightweight, aromatic, and naturally rot-resistant, the go-to for outdoor projects that won't see hard wear. | The aromatic cedar of closets and chests, its scent repels moths, and it's highly rot-resistant. Hard for a softwood, knotty, and beautifully two-toned. |
Finishing
Western Red Cedar
For outdoor use, a penetrating exterior oil or stain with UV inhibitors is the standard; left unfinished it weathers to silver-gray. Takes semi-transparent exterior stains well. Its natural oils and aromatic character mean interior pieces are often left with just a light clear finish. Acidic; use non-corroding fasteners.
Eastern Red Cedar
Aromatic and often left unfinished inside chests and closets so the scent stays active, finishing the interior seals in and mutes the aroma. For visible surfaces, a light clear finish preserves color; the reddish tone fades toward brown with UV. Knotty character shows through any finish.
Want to weigh these against a third wood, or compare different species? Use the interactive comparison tool.