Why we use only Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is unique among softwoods. It's heartwood contains high levels of Thujaplicans and water-soluble phenolics — natural fungicides creating resistance to rot. Additionally, Western Red Cedar is the best thermal insulator among the commonly available softwood species.
For centuries, Western Red Cedar provided the indigenous people of the American Northwest raw materials for clothing, shelter, and utilitarian items. Its importance was so great that cedar groves became a symbol of power and a gathering place of retreat and contemplation
Today, Western Red Cedar's workability, dimensional stability, insulating qualities, and rot resistance make it the perfect choice for premium building material applications including shingles, decking, fencing and siding. These same qualities — plus its rich "sauna-like" aroma — also make it ideal for hot tubs. And, we think it's no coincidence that our cedar tubs become gathering places for retreat and contemplation.
If you'd like to learn more about Western Red Cedar, the two documents below from the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association provide a wealth of information.
- Growth, Properties and Uses of Western Red Cedar
pdf file (free Adobe Reader required) 1.4 MB - Cedar Quick Facts
pdf file 5.9 MB
