Not knowing if cedar is a durable enough for your project can lead to costly replacements and disappointment. You don’t want to risk using a weak material, but you also don’t want to miss out on itsbenefits if it is durable.
So, is cedar a strong wood? Our woodworkers and experts will provide you with a guide to know the strength and composition of cedar.
How Strong Is Cedar Wood?
Cedar wood is strong and durable, with a high strength-to-weight ratio that makes it a great choice for projects requiring sturdy but lightweight material. Its strength can vary based on species and growing conditions, but it’s generally considered a reliable option.
Cedar wood is generally considered to be a stronger type of wood when compared to many varieties of softwood and some types of hardwood.
Cedar Lumber Type | Bending Strength (psi) | Compressive Strength (psi) | Stiffness (million psi) | Density (kg/m³) |
Western Red Cedar | 7,500 | 4,560 | 1.11 | 0.32 |
White Cedar | 6,500 | 3,960 | 0.80 | 0.32 |
Aromatic Red Cedar | 8,800 | 6,020 | 0.88 | 0.47 |
Cedar’s Compressive Strength vs Other Wood Varieties
The compressive strength of cedar wood is relatively high compared to various other types of wood.
While the exact compressive strength can vary depending on the specific species and growing conditions of the tree, cedar wood is generally known for its ability to withstand heavy loads without breaking or buckling.
In comparison to other woods, cedar is often stronger than most softwoods and some hardwoods as well. Here’s an overview table of the compressive strength of cedar wood and other lumber types:
Cedar Lumber Type | Compressive Strength (psi) |
White Cedar | 3,960 psi |
Aromatic Red Cedar | 6,020 psi |
Western Red Cedar | 4,560 psi |
Hickory | 9,210 psi |
Basswood | 4,730 psi |
Spruce | 5,610 psi |
White Pine | 4,800 psi |
Sugar Pine | 4,460 psi |
Hemlock | 7,200 psi |
Douglas Fir | 7,230 psi |
Walnut | 7,580 psi |
Poplar | 5,540 psi |
Red Oak | 6,760 psi |
Soft Maple | 6,540 psi |
Hard Maple | 7,830 psi |
Chestnut | 5,320 psi |
Cherry | 7,110 psi |
Beech | 7,300 psi |
Aspen | 4,250 psi |
Ash | 5,820 psi |
Pros and Cons of Cedar Wood
Pros
- Cedar wood is versatile and can be used for various applications.
- It has great dimensional stability and can maintain its shape and size well.
- Cedar wood is highly workable, making it easy to cut and shape.
- It is resistant to temperature changes and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Cedar wood is an affordable option compared to many other types of wood.
- It is resistant to cracking and warping, ensuring its longevity.
- Cedar wood is lightweight, making it easy to handle and transport.
- It is highly durable and can withstand wear and tear.
- Cedar wood boasts high bending and compressive strength, making it strong and sturdy.
Cons
- Cedar wood is flammable and may not be the best choice for applications where fire resistance is a priority.
- It requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best and to prevent decay and insect damage.
- Cedar wood is a type of softwood, which means it may not be as strong or durable as hardwoods in some applications.
- The color of cedar wood may fade over time due to exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors.
How Hard Is Cedar? + Advantages
First of all, is cedar wood hardwood or softwood? Actually, cedar wood is classified as a softwood, which means it is not as hard as many hardwoods. However, within the category of softwoods, cedar wood is considered relatively hard.
Cedar wood has varying levels of hardness based on the hardness rating of Janka. Aromatic Red Cedar Lumber is the hardest, with a rating of 4,003 N or 900 lbf, while Western Red Cedar Lumber and White Cedar Lumber have lower ratings of 1,557 N or 350 lbf and 1,335 N or 320 lbf, respectively.
In general, cedar wood is known for its natural durability and resistance to rot and insect damage, as well as its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
While it may not be as hard as some hardwoods, cedar wood is still a strong and reliable choice for various applications.
High Workability
Cedar is a highly workable material that can be used for a wide range of woodworking applications, regardless of the user’s level of experience.
Whether you’re new to woodworking or have lots of experience, cedar wood is a versatile and easy-to-use option to help you achieve your desired results.
Find Out Next: Is Cedar Wood Good for Carving?
Affordability
Cedar wood is a type of softwood that is less expensive than other types of wood. In the woodworking industry, cedar wood is often considered the best alternative to more expensive woods like teak.
This means that you can achieve a similar look and quality by using cedar wood instead of teak wood and saving money in the process.
Sustainability
Cedar is considered a renewable resource due to its faster growth rate compared to many hardwoods. Because of this, cedar wood is a more sustainable option for those looking to minimize their environmental impact.
Is Cedar Wood Good for Making Furniture In Terms Of Strength?
Cedar wood is a good choice for making furniture in terms of strength. In fact, cedar wood is generally stronger than many other types of softwoods and even some hardwoods.
While it may not be as hard as some hardwoods, cedar wood is still a durable and reliable material that can resist wear and tear over time.
Additionally, cedar wood is lightweight and has excellent dimensional stability, making it a versatile option for many different types of furniture.
Here are some examples of popular furniture types that can be constructed using cedar wood:
- Sofas
- Cupboards
- Dressers
- Desks
- Beds
- Chairs
- Tables
- Chests
Is Cedar Wood Strong Enough For a Bench?
Cedar wood is generally strong enough to make a bench. Cedar wood is known for its natural durability and resistance to rot and insect damage, as well as its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Additionally, cedar wood has high dimensional stability, making it less likely to warp or crack over time. These qualities make cedar wood a good choice for outdoor and indoor benches.
However, the exact strength of the cedar wood used for a bench may depend on various factors, such as the size and design of the bench, as well as the load capacity it is intended to support.
Is Cedar Wood Strong Enough for Assembling Cabinets?
Cedar wood is strong enough for assembling cabinets. Cedar is a versatile and durable wood that can withstand the weight of cabinets and resist warping, shrinking, swelling, and decay.
Cedar wood is known for its strength and stability, making it a popular choice for cabinetry. Additionally, Cedar has an appealing appearance and takes stain and finishing well, which makes it a great option for interior woodwork. But, we suggest using the best clear cedar finish for outdoor use.
Also, cedar is easy to nail, glue, screw, and cut. With proper maintenance, cabinets made of Cedar can last for many years.
Cedar vs Pine Wood
Cedar lumber and pine have similar strength values overall. However, when looking at compressive strength, Aromatic Red Cedar lumber is stronger than White Pine and Sugar Pine. However yellow pine [1] is stronger than cedar lumber.
Here is the table of the bending and compressive strengths of Pine and Cedar lumber:
Lumber Type | Bending Strength (psi) | Compressive Strength (psi) |
Western Red Cedar | 7,500 psi | 4,560 psi |
White Cedar | 6,500 psi | 3,960 psi |
White Pine | 8,600 psi | 4,800 psi |
Aromatic Red Cedar | 8,800 psi | 6,020 psi |
Yellow Pine | 14,500 psi | 8,470 psi |
Sugar Pine | 8,200 psi | 4,460 psi |
Cedar Wood vs Douglas Fir
In terms of compressive and bending strengths, Douglas Fir surpasses all species of Cedar, making it a more robust softwood. Here are the bending strength and compressive strength for both wood types:
Lumber Type | Bending Strength (psi) | Compressive Strength (psi) |
Douglas Fir | 12,400 psi | 7,230 psi |
White Cedar | 6,500 psi | 3,960 psi |
Western Red Cedar | 7,500 psi | 4,560 psi |
Aromatic Red Cedar | 6020 psi | 6,020 psi |
Cedar vs Spruce
Comparing Aromatic Red Cedar to Spruce, Aromatic Red Cedar is more durable. However, when it comes to Western Red Cedar and White Cedar, they are less sturdy than Spruce.
In terms of bending strength, it is evident that Spruce is significantly stronger and more pliable than Cedar wood species.
It’s worth noting that Spruce and Cedar wood are both softwoods that share similar qualities. Here is the table of the bending strengths and compressive of Spruce and Cedar:
Lumber Type | Bending Strength (psi) | Compressive Strength (psi) |
Spruce | 10,200 psi | 5,610 psi |
White Cedar | 6,500 psi | 3,960 psi |
Western Red Cedar | 7,500 psi | 4,560 psi |
Aromatic Red Cedar | 8,800 psi | 6,020 psi |
FAQ
Is cedar a good structural wood?
Cedar can be a good structural wood in certain circumstances, but it may not be the best choice for all applications.
Cedar is durable that is also very stable but when it comes to structural applications such as framing or building load-bearing walls, cedar may not be the best choice.
What wood is stronger than cedar?
The wood that is stronger than Cedar is Douglas Fir. While both Douglas Fir and Cedar are softwoods, Douglas Fir has much higher compressive and bending strength than all Cedar wood type.
Conclusion
Generally, Cedar wood is a strong wood that is widely used in furniture and outdoor applications. While it is generally considered to be durable, it is still a softwood and may not be as strong as some hardwoods.
Therefore, it’s important to assess your specific needs and requirements before choosing cedar wood or any other wood species.
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