Timber species / Canada
Canadian Cedar
cladding.
Canadian Western Red Cedar is a refined cladding choice with exceptional stability, low weight and natural resistance to decay. Its varied colour gives every elevation depth, while a clear grade creates an especially clean architectural finish.
Request Canadian Cedar pricing →Canadian cedar cladding
Specify the grade and finished board—not just the species.
Canadian cedar can describe several grades, dimensions and machined products. A clear architectural grade, a knotty grade and a mixed-length offer may all produce different visual results and prices. A useful quotation should identify the declared origin, grade, usable face, finished dimensions, installed cover and intended exterior application.
Ask to see several joined boards in the proposed grade and finish. One carefully selected sample cannot show the likely colour range, grain or natural features across a complete elevation. For closely viewed entrances, homes and commercial façades, a representative sample panel gives the design team a clearer benchmark for board selection, joint alignment and fixing appearance.
Canadian cedar should also be compared as part of the complete supply package. Profiles, surface texture, coating, lengths, trims, fixings, delivery and documentation can change the installed cost even when two offers quote the same species.
Cedar shadow gap cladding
Match the joint to its intended orientation.
Shadow gap profiles can give Canadian cedar a precise repeated rhythm, but the name does not describe one universal section. Gap width, recess depth, finished face, board thickness, installed cover and fixing zone vary between suppliers.
Confirm whether the exact board is designed for horizontal or vertical exterior use. Rotating a profile may change the way water meets the joint and can fall outside the supplier’s guidance. Our shadow gap cladding guide explains the difference between closed machined profiles and open rainscreen arrangements.
- 01Request the full profile drawing and installed cover
- 02State horizontal or vertical board direction
- 03Confirm visible or concealed fixing expectations
- 04Coordinate corners, openings, cavity and trims
Plan colour, sourcing evidence and compliance early.
Unfinished cedar changes colour outdoors and different elevations may weather at different rates. If the brief requires a controlled tone, compare compatible finishes on the actual grade and surface. Where responsible sourcing is specified, request the chain-of-custody claim and certificate details applying to the order; PEFC explains how certified material is tracked through the supply chain. Fire performance and regulatory suitability apply to the complete wall design, so the appointed team should check the current Approved Document B for the building.
A comparable cedar quotation
Give each supplier the same project brief.
Share elevation drawings or measured areas, openings, site postcode, preferred profile and orientation, finish expectations and programme. State whether the enquiry covers boards only or also includes battens, membrane, fixings, trims, samples and delivery.
If the grade or profile remains open, ask for clearly labelled alternatives rather than allowing each quotation to make different assumptions. The Cladding Centre can compare Canadian cedar with UK cedar, larch cladding and Thermowood around the actual project requirements.
- 01Dimensions, drawings and approximate quantity
- 02Grade, profile, orientation and finish
- 03Lengths, trims, fixings and accessories
- 04Delivery postcode, access and required date
Why choose Canadian Cedar?
A material with its own point of view.
Canadian Western Red Cedar is a refined cladding choice with exceptional stability, low weight and natural resistance to decay. Its varied colour gives every elevation depth, while a clear grade creates an especially clean architectural finish.
- 01Naturally durable with no preservative treatment required
- 02Excellent dimensional stability
- 03Lightweight and straightforward to machine
- 04Weathers to a soft silver-grey when left unfinished
Colour & weathering
Choose the finish — then plan for how it changes.
Exterior timber naturally responds to sunlight and weather. Left unfinished, most species gradually soften towards silver-grey. Coatings can slow this change or establish a more uniform tone. We’ll help you factor appearance, exposure and maintenance into the decision.
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