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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems“Cedar” is a trade name for several different woods, not a single interchangeable material. For outdoor construction, compare western red and northern white cedar; for aromatic lining, consider eastern red cedar; for lightweight boat or instrument work, yellow cedar is a candidate; and for humidors or fine cabinetry, Spanish cedar is often used. Match the species to the project, then confirm grade, dimensions, availability, and price with the seller.
Why cedar species matter
Five woods commonly sold as cedar differ in durability, weight, workability, aroma, and typical uses. Their names can also be misleading: Spanish cedar is the group’s only hardwood and is an import, while eastern red cedar is a juniper. Ask a supplier for the botanical species as well as the trade name so you know what you are buying.
Which cedar fits your project?
| Species and other name | Typical strengths and characteristics | Common uses | WOOD Magazine indicative price, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) | Lightweight, easy to cut and shape, water-repellent, and naturally decay-resistant. Lower grades commonly have knots; clear grades are available. | Decking, siding, shingles, and outdoor structures. | $1–$3 per linear foot for dimensional sizes; $4–$6 per board foot for clear 4/4 S2S stock. |
| Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), also called arbor vitae | Decay- and insect-resistant, low-density, and workable. It can be brittle and prone to tear-out; sharp cutters and backer boards help. | Shingles, posts, decking, and canoes. | $1.75 per board foot for 4/4 S2S stock. |
| Eastern red or aromatic cedar (Juniperus virginiana) | Pungent aromatic oils give it its characteristic scent. The cited article notes that strong claims about its effectiveness as an insect repellent have little scientific support. | Closet and hope-chest lining, pencils, and wooden novelties. | $3.50 per board foot for 4/4 S2S stock. |
| Yellow or Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) | Dense yet lightweight; machines, glues, and stains well. | Canoe paddles, stringed instruments, boat decks, railings, and interior paneling. | $6.50–$7 per board foot for 4/4 S2S stock; instrument-grade wood costs more. |
| Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata) | Aromatic and moisture-resistant; the only hardwood and import among these five, native to Central and South America. | Furniture, windows, cabinetry, racing-boat hulls, and cigar-humidor lining. | $7 per board foot for 4/4 S2S stock. |
The prices in this table are indicative figures reported by WOOD Magazine in 2024, not current quotes; actual prices depend on supplier, grade, dimensions, and location. S2S means surfaced on two sides; 4/4 is nominal one-inch thickness, and board-foot pricing is a volume measure rather than a per-board price.
For a deck or other outdoor construction
Western red and northern white cedar are the two options highlighted for outdoor work. Western red is used for decks, siding, shingles, and outdoor structures, while northern white is used for decking, shingles, and posts. Both are described as decay-resistant. Compare the specific grade and knot content, and verify that the stock is suitable for the exposure and construction details of your project; the species name alone does not specify grade or service life.
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- Solid Spanish Cedar Planks: No veneer, no glue, just solid piece. So much better than cheap thin, paper thick strips of veneer.
- Thoughtfully Sized: At 12" x 4" x 1/4" they are easy to work with and fit many projects. Ideally sized for tupperdor, making trays, adding dividers or making a storage box.
- Value Pack: 5 pack for one price. You are buying quality solid Spanish cedar. Yes, you can get more sheets for less, but this is solid pieces of quality wood cedar boards.
- Ready to Use: Just wipe off and they are ready to go. Already planed and kiln dried. No need to sand, but you can if wanted. If humidity is needed, wipe with distilled water.
- Smells Like the Shop: These wood pieces are sourced from South America and cut in the state of Indiana. They will retain the cedar aroma for years to come.
For a closet or chest lining
Eastern red cedar is the aromatic choice commonly used for closet and hope-chest lining. Its scent comes from oils in the wood, but the cited article cautions that little scientific data supports strong claims that it reliably repels bugs. Choose it for the material and aroma rather than treating it as a proven pest-control method.
For a humidor
Spanish cedar is used for cigar-humidor lining because of its aromatic oils and moisture resistance. It is distinct from eastern red cedar, despite the shared cedar label. If the use is a humidor, specify Spanish cedar by species rather than ordering generic “cedar.”
Rank #2
- 【PREMIUM CLEAR GRADE — VIRTUALLY KNOT-FREE】 Hand-selected for the most demanding projects. Our Western Red Cedar is true "Clear Grade" — virtually 100% free of knots, splits, and surface blemishes — delivering the clean, straight-grain aesthetic that defines high-end outdoor craftsmanship. Western Red Cedar has been North America's premier outdoor building material for over 100 years, specified by architects for premium decks, saunas, and coastal installations. This is the grade your local hardware store simply doesn't stock.
- 【DECK REPAIR TO LUXURY BUILDS — ONE BOARD DOES IT ALL】 The #1 use: replace 3–4 rotted or damaged deck boards without a full rebuild — saves thousands vs. hiring a contractor, and our Clear Grade finish means the repaired section looks better than the original. Also ideal for building a custom sauna, pergola decking, hot tub surrounds, porch restoration, and raised garden walkways.
- 【FULL 5/4 THICKNESS AT 0.95" — NO MORE BOUNCE OR FLEX】 While standard 1x6 boards measure only 0.75" (19mm) and feel thin underfoot, our cedar features a full-bodied 0.95" (24mm) actual thickness — virtually identical to professional 5/4 deck board specs. This gives you a rock-solid, bounce-free walking surface with the structural integrity to handle real outdoor use, year after year.
- 【SIZED FOR SPOT REPAIRS — NO WASTED MATERIAL】 Each 4-pack provides 28 linear feet of premium lumber, covering 12.8 sq ft of solid wood surface (expands to ~13.4 sq ft when installed with the recommended 1/4" spacing between boards). Perfect for targeted deck restoration, replacing 4 stair treads, or creating a garden walkway — sized for the project, not oversized for the landfill. ⚠️ FASTENER WARNING: Always use stainless steel screws — 304 grade for most climates, 316 grade for coastal or high-humidity environments. Standard zinc-plated screws will react with cedar's natural tannins and cause permanent black staining. Stainless steel only.
- 【NATURALLY RESISTANT & READY TO INSTALL】 100% Authentic Western Red Cedar is world-renowned for its natural resistance to rot, decay, and insects. Its legendary dimensional stability ensures minimal warping or cupping, keeping your luxury outdoor space looking pristine for years. Each board is precision-sanded on all four sides (S4S) with eased edges (E4E) for a barefoot-friendly, furniture-grade finish. Delivered directly to your door via Prime—no truck rental required.
For boats, paddles, or instruments
Yellow (Alaska) cedar combines density with relatively low weight and is used for canoe paddles, boat decks, railings, and stringed instruments. Its machining, gluing, and staining characteristics make it a candidate for detailed work, but instrument-grade stock costs more than the indicative standard-stock range shown above.
Western red cedar vs. northern white cedar
Both are used outdoors and are described as decay-resistant, but the best fit depends on the application and the actual stock available. Western red cedar is noted for water repellence, light weight, and ease of cutting and shaping; lower grades commonly contain knots, while clear grades are available. Northern white cedar is also insect-resistant and is used for posts and canoes as well as shingles and decking, but its brittleness and tear-out risk call for sharp cutters and backer boards during machining.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Select from several species above, then pick your size
- You are buying a 2 pack of lumber
- Each board is 3/4" x 4" x 12"
- Smooth on both sides, and kiln dry
How to buy cedar lumber
Buying channels vary by species and by whether you need common dimensional lumber or selected boards. WOOD Magazine reports the following channels; these are general buying routes, not confirmation of current inventory.
- Common dimensional stock: Check home centers and lumber yards.
- Clear or specialty boards: Ask hardwood dealers.
- Northern white cedar: Local sawmills may be a source.
- Yellow cedar: Try luthier-supply companies or specialty hardwood dealers.
- Spanish cedar: Check hardwood dealers or woodworking catalogs, particularly for small stock.
Before ordering, confirm the botanical species, thickness and other dimensions, grade, knot content, surfacing, and whether the quoted price is per linear foot or board foot. Species-specific stock is not interchangeable just because all five woods are sold as cedar.
Rank #4
- [Solid Spanish Cedar Wood Planks]: Woho 5 pack wood planks are made of 100% All Natural Grade A Premium Spanish Cedar Wood. They are Solid quality well cut planks with solid smooth surface, no knots or blemishes. Perfect to add walls to large humidor shelves or make dividers in Cigar humidor
- [DIY The Cigar Humidors You Want]: Measuring 12" X 4" X 1/4", each weight in 0.22lb, work pretty well for most regular Tupperware humidors or small cabinet cooler and take little space. They are right thickness, can be easily cut to the size you need, DIY or convert your favorite cigar humidors
- [Enhance Cigar's Taste and Flavor]: Natural Spanish Cedar wooden planks can produce rich oil and give off wonderful cedar aroma, that helps speeding up the aging of cigar, enhance cigar's taste and flavor, bring you the best smoking experience
- [Storage Cigar in Perfect condition]: Spanish Cedar planks have strong water absorption, they will automatically absorb some water vapor when cigar is wet and release some water vapor when cigar is dry, store your cigar in the uniform humidity and keeping them fresh
- [Warm Tips and Widely Used]: Coming with solid box and wrapped by shockproof EPE pearl cotton, please wipe down with distilled water before use. They are already planed, kiln dried and sanded, can be modified and widely use for humidor cigar box, case, trays, travel humidor or closet
Machining, finishing, and dust precautions
Workability and finish
Northern white cedar can tear out or behave brittly, so use sharp cutters and backer boards where appropriate. Yellow cedar is reported to machine, glue, and stain well. Eastern red cedar resins can interfere with oil finishes hardening in confined spaces, so account for that interaction when choosing a finish and allow for appropriate curing conditions.
Sawdust exposure
Cedar sawdust can cause rashes and respiratory problems in some people. Take care with dust-producing operations; if symptoms occur, the cited article advises using a respirator and gloves. Follow the precautions relevant to your equipment and work area, and stop work if exposure is causing symptoms.
Best Value
- Package Includes: One box includes Canadian red cedar boards of various lengths, ranging from 16 inches to 55 inches, covering a total of 10.5 square feet
- High Quality: Our red cedar wood paneling is all sourced from sustainable forests in Canada, with high density, exquisite texture, and no knots
- Safe For Your Family - Compared with other 3D acoustic panels, our wooden panels have no chemical treatment, are made of 100% natural wood, are safer, and have a beautiful smell
- Wide Application: Cedar has durability and acoustic properties, so it is widely used in interior and exterior wall panels, scented drawer liners, and closets planks
- Easy to install: Compared to peel and stick wood planks, our tongue and groove planks are thicker and easier to install. Even with the use of adhesive, they will not curl or fall off
Sources and price context
The species descriptions, uses, buying channels, safety notes, and indicative prices here are reported in WOOD Magazine Staff’s “Sorting out the cedars,” updated December 17, 2024. Prices are historical indications from that article, not a current market survey.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
