The western red cedar growing zone encompasses cool, moist and mild climates in low- to mid-level elevations. They're most populous along the British Columbia coast and the wet interior across the Rocky and Columbia Mountains.
One of the most common western red cedar uses is roofing. Custom Shingles designs and installs western red cedar shingles and shakes to bring natural beauty and durability to your home.
What Is Western Red Cedar?
Western red cedar is a softwood that has many appealing characteristics, including:
Thermal conductivity: Western red cedar has one of the highest thermal insulating values.
Density: This lightweight wood has a low density, making it easy to handle.
Resistance: Western red cedar naturally resists damage like insect damage and decay, with no chemical treatments required.
Color: This variety's hue varies based on which part of the tree the wood comes from — heartwood is pink-brown, red-brown or dark brown and can turn silver when weathered, whereas sapwood is straw-colored.
Stability: This wood absorbs and discharges moisture to establish a balance with the atmosphere, resisting warping and twisting through low shrinkage.
Where to Find Western Red Cedar Trees
Western red cedar trees grow mainly in the British Columbia province of Canada, and throughout Washington and Oregon. These enormous trees have shallow yet strong root systems and a tapered trunk. They can live up to 1,000 years, and the wood can last a long time due to its moisture- and rot-resistant qualities.
Why Use Western Red Cedar for Roofing?
Western red cedar is an excellent choice for a roofing material because it is:
Easy to work: Western red cedar has excellent working and machining qualities, allowing roofing specialists to use sharp tools to cut and smooth the wood into shingles and shakes.
Long-lasting: For roofing, western red cedar can last up to 30 years or more with regular maintenance.
Highly insulating: Since this wood is a good insulator, western red cedar roofs help keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter.
View Our Gallery for Wood Shingle Project Inspiration
Western red cedar shingles and shakes are among the highest-quality roofing materials. Custom Shingles is a leading wood roofing company with extensive experience working with and installing wooden shingles like western red cedar. Our premier artisan roofing specialists use proven tools and techniques to shape the wood to your custom design preferences. View our cedar shingles portfolio and cedar shakes gallery to get ideas for your new roof and contact us for a quote.