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White Cedar vs. Red Cedar: Differences and Best Uses
Short answer: Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) grows around the Great Lakes, the Northeast and eastern Canada. It's pale tan, knotty and comes from smaller trees, which makes it a favorite for log furniture, fence posts and shingles. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) grows in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. It's reddish-brown and comes from very large trees that yield long, straight boards, so it's the go-to for pergolas, siding, decks and sheds. Both are lightweight and naturally resistant to rot.
Updated November 14, 2026. Prices checked November 14, 2026.
White Cedar vs. Red Cedar at a Glance
| Northern white cedar | Western red cedar | |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Thuja occidentalis (eastern white cedar, arborvitae) | Thuja plicata |
| Where it grows | Great Lakes, northeastern U.S., eastern Canada | Pacific Northwest, British Columbia |
| Color | Light tan to straw, with many small knots | Reddish to pinkish brown, often with clear sections |
| Tree and board size | Smaller trees, shorter and knottier pieces | Very large trees, long, wide and clear boards |
| Hardness (Janka) | About 320 lbf | About 350 lbf |
| Weight (dried) | About 22 lb per cubic foot | About 23 lb per cubic foot |
| Rot resistance | Heartwood is naturally durable | Heartwood is naturally durable |
| Common uses | Log furniture, rustic furniture, fence posts, shingles, log homes | Pergolas, siding, decking, fences, sheds, greenhouses, outdoor furniture |
Both woods weather to a silver gray outdoors if they're left unfinished. Both are soft, so they dent more easily than hardwoods like oak or hickory.
Isn't "Red Cedar" the Aromatic Wood in Closets?
That's a different tree. The fragrant "aromatic cedar" used to line closets and hope chests is usually eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), which is actually a juniper. Western red cedar has its own mild scent but isn't the closet-lining wood.
Which Cedar Is Better?
Choose northern white cedar for
- Log and rustic indoor furniture, where knots and hand-peeled log character are the point.
- Fence posts, rails and shingles.
- A lighter, creamier color that takes stain well.
Choose western red cedar for
- Pergolas, gazebos, sheds and greenhouses that need long, straight beams and boards.
- Siding and decking, where dimensional stability matters.
- A warm reddish color, if you plan to keep it stained.
Outdoors, either cedar lasts longer with good drainage and a penetrating finish. See does cedar need to be sealed? for finishing tips.
Cedar at Freedom Room
Northern white cedar: Fireside Lodge log furniture
Fireside Lodge Cedar Log, Headwaters and Voyageur furniture is handcrafted in the USA from responsibly sourced northern white cedar with hand-peeled logs, then sealed with a clear-coat catalyzed lacquer for indoor use. Cedar Log pieces come in Natural, Vintage, Weathered and Coffee stains. Shop log furniture, including log beds, dining tables and dressers.
Western red cedar: outdoor structures and garden pieces
Our Outdoor Living Today pergolas, greenhouses, sheds and potting benches are made from western red cedar, such as the Urban Escape 10x10 Western Red Cedar Pergola Kit (from $3,629, price checked November 14, 2026). Bridges, planters and outdoor furniture in our All Things Cedar collection are built from Canadian western red cedar.
FAQs
What is the difference between white cedar and red cedar?
Northern white cedar is pale, knotty and comes from smaller eastern trees. Western red cedar is reddish, comes from huge Pacific Northwest trees and yields long, clear boards. Both are lightweight and rot resistant.
Which cedar lasts longer outdoors?
Both have naturally durable heartwood. How long either lasts depends more on drainage, ground contact and finishing than on species.
Is white cedar good for furniture?
Yes. Northern white cedar is the classic wood for log furniture because it's light, stable and shows attractive knots and grain.
Is western red cedar the same as aromatic cedar?
No. The aromatic closet cedar is usually eastern red cedar, which is a juniper.
Which cedar is harder?
Western red cedar is slightly harder (about 350 lbf on the Janka scale vs. about 320 for northern white cedar), but both are soft woods that can dent.
Questions about a cedar piece? Call 512-777-0154.