White Cedar Vs. Red Cedar Fences: What Are The Major Differences?

A wooden fence adds much-needed security and privacy to your property. It’s also an aesthetic addition that can increase your home’s value. Installing your own wooden fence is a move that makes a lot of sense.

Many homeowners opt to use cedar when building their own wooden fence, but which variant of that wood works best? Red and white cedar are among the most popular options. Which of those two should you choose?

Western red cedar is likely to last longer due to how resistant it is to decay and its natural sturdiness. However, eastern white cedar tends to look better even as it ages. You should also keep your location in mind when buying cedar for fencing as one may be a more sustainable purchase.

Cedar is a great choice if your goal is to build a solid wooden fence around your home. In this article, we will see if western red cedar or eastern white cedar is better to use for your fencing. Stay tuned to find out which type of cedar you need to get.

Anyone who has experience building with wood can tell you that different species of wood have very distinct qualities. You cannot just build with any type of wood and expect to get the same results every time. Understanding the differences in the types of wood turns you into a better builder.

Even familiarizing yourself with the different types of wood may not suffice. You still need to understand how specific variants of a type of wood can differ from one another. Accumulating all that knowledge will be key if you want to build better.

For this article, we will be focusing mainly on two types of cedar. To be more specific, we will highlight western red cedar and eastern white cedar. Find out how western red cedar and eastern white cedar compare to one another with regards to certain essential criteria.

Let’s start by evaluating the color of both western red cedar and eastern white cedar. The color will differ depending on whether you’re looking at sapwood or hardwood.

In western red cedar, you’ll notice that the sapwood tends to take on a rich brown color. It’s quite distinctive and the contrast it creates with the grass in your yard is striking. The heartwood portion of the red cedar has a brighter red color.

Compared to western red cedar, eastern white cedar has a lighter color palette. Eastern white cedar’s sapwood holds true to its namesake by featuring a white color. There are some small touches of yellow that add some color, but that’s about it.

Meanwhile, the heartwood of eastern white cedar is noticeably darker. The heartwood looks brown as opposed to red, which is quite different for cedar wood.

The grain of the wood you’re using for fencing provides some vital pieces of information. It can tell you how strong the wood is and the kind of texture it features.

Paying attention to the grain is also important if you want to build the most attractive fence possible. The type of grain present in the wood can help determine what kind of look you’re getting.

Notably, there isn’t much difference between the grain patterns of eastern white cedar and western red cedar. Both grain patterns are known for how even and straight they are. If you prefer a consistent grain pattern throughout your wooden fencing, you cannot go wrong with either cedar variant.

Strength is obviously an important consideration when you’re choosing fencing material. You want something that can stand up to a strong bump or collision.

Homeowners will be glad to know that cedar is naturally strong. Once you’ve set it in position, you can expect it to remain very stable. That goes for both its red and white variants. Consider the strength of the wood when you’re choosing between different species. For those just choosing between red and white cedar, there is no wrong option.

The topic of longevity is an interesting one when talking about western red cedar and eastern white cedar. Both cedar variants have qualities that make them suitable long-term options for fencing.

Western red cedar resists decay incredibly well. It’s probably the top cedar variant from that perspective. Build your fence out of western red cedar and it will hold up to the elements for a very long time. The natural sturdiness of western red cedar only makes it a better candidate for building fencing.

Eastern white cedar is no slouch in the longevity department either. Its rot resistance may not be as good as western red cedar, but it should still hold up well. The stability of eastern white cedar also means that it can remain a reliable fixture in your yard.

What makes eastern white cedar so interesting though is the way that it ages. You’ll notice it start to turn gray as it grows old, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of folks even like the aged appearance of eastern white cedar.

We think it’s fair to say that both western red cedar and eastern white cedar excel in terms of longevity. Even so, the difference in how they age should factor into your decision-making.

What do you want your fence to look like? Some homeowners are content with just featuring the natural appearance of the wood. Given how beautiful cedar is, you may not want to mess with it and just let it shine on its own.

Others want to showcase the cedar, but at the same time, they want to add some flair to it too. You may want to change the color of the cedar. Regardless of which type of cedar you buy, you will be able to customize its appearance. You can paint the cedar, seal it, or stain it to change the way it looks. The cedar should absorb all of those substances well enough.

We like how customizable the red and white pieces of cedar are. You will not be limited no matter which one you ultimately decide to use.

Where you live should matter greatly when you’re deciding which type of cedar to use for your fencing. As much as possible, you should go for the eco-friendly option.

Eastern white cedar is more widely available in the eastern and central parts of the United States. Folks living in those regions may be better served to purchase eastern white cedar.

Unsurprisingly, western red cedar trees are found along the western portion of the United States. They are easy to find in the state of Oregon. Building with sustainability in mind should be a priority for all of us. Don’t forget about that when you’re putting together your fence.

We should always take cost into consideration before making any purchase. Continue following that rule if you’re buying material for your fencing.

The price points for western red cedar and eastern white cedar are quite similar. Western red cedar may be a bit more expensive, but the difference is likely not going to swing your decision. That’s assuming they’re both available in your current location however.

Where you live matters not just from the standpoint of sustainable building. It will also have an impact on how much you have to spend to get the materials you want.

Purchasing eastern white cedar when you’re on the west coast is going to cost more. The same goes for those living on the east coast who want to use western red cedar. Is paying extra to get the specific type of cedar you want worth it? That will be something for you to decide.

Related Questions

What Are the Other Types of Cedar That You Can Use for Fencing?

Aside from red and white cedar, there are numerous other cedar variants that are currently available. The selection includes Alaskan yellow cedar, Cyprian cedar, incense cedar, Lebanon cedar, and Spanish cedar among many other options.It won’t always be easy to get your hands on those other types of cedar though. Your location will again play a role in how easy it is to obtain those other cedar variants.

Can You Use Cedar to Improve Your Home’s Insulation?

Cedar is a terrific material to use if you want to improve your home’s insulation. Eastern white cedar is better than western red cedar for insulation, but both options can work really well.You can use cedar to improve your home’s insulation in different ways. Use it to build your walls or your home’s siding. It also works well when used to build your roof.