Side-by-side comparison of Alaskan Yellow Cedar and Western Red Cedar lumber boards.Side-by-side comparison of Alaskan Yellow Cedar and Western Red Cedar lumber boards.

If you've started researching cedar options for a deck, exterior siding, or structural timber project, you've likely come across two names more than any other: Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Both are widely respected, both are naturally rot-resistant, and both are frequently used in high-end residential and cottage builds. Knowing what sets them apart is the key to getting the right one for your project.

What Is Western Red Cedar?

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is one of the most widely used and recognized wood species in North America. It grows along the Pacific Coast from northern California up through British Columbia and into Alaska, and has been a staple of the North American building industry for well over a century.

It’s known for its warm, reddish-brown colour with darker streaks, its lightweight nature, and its naturally pleasant, aromatic scent. Western Red Cedar is a true cedar and one of the softer species you’ll find at a lumber yard — which makes it easy to work with but also means it requires some care in structural applications.

Best suited for: Exterior siding, shingles, shakes, fencing, decking, pergolas, soffit, and decorative trim where its warm, natural appearance is a primary consideration.

Western Red Cedar forest showing characteristic tall straight trunks and dappled canopy light.Western Red Cedar forest showing characteristic tall straight trunks and dappled canopy light.

Photo By: Crusier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What Is Alaskan Yellow Cedar?

Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) is technically a cypress rather than a true cedar — a distinction that’s more botanical than practical. It grows along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Alaska, tends to be a slow-growing species, and produces some of the densest, most durable lumber in the cedar category.

Its appearance is noticeably different from Western Red Cedar: Alaskan Yellow Cedar has a fine, uniform grain and a bright, pale-yellow to near-white colouring that lightens further over time. The wood has a distinctive scent — often described as fresh-cut potato with hints of spice — which is particularly pronounced when freshly milled and fades as the wood dries. It’s harder, heavier, and more dimensionally stable than Western Red Cedar, and it ranks among the most rot-resistant softwoods available anywhere.

Best suited for: Decking, structural timbers and beams, post-and-beam framing, dock construction, exterior siding, and any application where maximum durability is the priority.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar trees growing in their native Pacific Coast habitat against a clear blue sky.Alaskan Yellow Cedar trees growing in their native Pacific Coast habitat against a clear blue sky.

Photo By: JOE BLOWE from Bountiful, Utah, Iran, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Head-to-Head Comparison

Durability & Rot Resistance

This is where the two species diverge most clearly. Both are naturally rot-resistant, but not to the same degree. Western Red Cedar is rated Class II (moderately durable) in terms of natural durability — it holds up well outdoors, especially when kept off the ground and properly finished, but it is susceptible to decay in persistently wet or ground-contact conditions.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar is rated Class I (very durable) and contains naturally occurring compounds called thujaplicins that inhibit fungal growth and insect activity without any treatment. In practical terms, Alaskan Yellow Cedar is one of the most durable softwoods you can buy and is commonly compared to teak in durability class. For dock framing, decking in wet climates, or structural timbers exposed to the elements, Alaskan Yellow Cedar simply outlasts Western Red Cedar.

Edge: Alaskan Yellow Cedar, especially in high-moisture or exposed applications.

Hardness & Strength

Western Red Cedar has a Janka hardness rating of around 350 lbf — on the softer end of the softwood spectrum. This makes it easy to work with hand and power tools, takes fasteners well, and is forgiving during installation. The trade-off is that it's more susceptible to denting and surface damage under heavy foot traffic or mechanical wear.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar is meaningfully harder, with a Janka rating closer to 580–600 lbf, and its strength values are often compared to Douglas Fir. It holds fasteners extremely well, machines cleanly, and performs reliably in structural applications where Western Red Cedar might flex or compress under load.

Edge: Alaskan Yellow Cedar for structural use and high-traffic applications. Western Red Cedar for lighter decorative work where workability matters more.

Appearance

This is largely a matter of preference, but the differences are significant enough that appearance often drives the decision.

Western Red Cedar has a rich, warm tone — reddish-brown to amber — with visible grain variation and natural streaking. It has a classic, organic look that many clients associate with traditional cottage and craftsman-style architecture. Left unfinished outdoors, it will silver to a grey patina over time.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar starts bright and pale — almost white-yellow — with a very fine, consistent grain that's noticeably more uniform than Western Red Cedar. It has a cleaner, more contemporary look that suits modern and Scandinavian-influenced designs particularly well. It also silvers outdoors, though the transition from pale yellow to silver is less dramatic visually than the shift from Western Red Cedar's warm red tones.

Edge: Depends entirely on the aesthetic. Western Red Cedar for warm, traditional looks. Alaskan Yellow Cedar for clean, light, contemporary finishes.

Stability & Shrinkage

Alaskan Yellow Cedar is widely regarded as one of the most dimensionally stable softwoods available. It resists warping, cupping, and checking better than most species, which is a significant advantage in applications like tight-clearance siding installations and exterior decking.

Western Red Cedar is reasonably stable but more prone to movement with changes in humidity and temperature. It's a low-density wood that can cup and shrink, particularly if green lumber is used and site conditions are dry.

Edge: Alaskan Yellow Cedar for precision applications and environments with wide seasonal humidity swings.

Workability

Western Red Cedar is one of the easiest species to work with. It's lightweight, cuts cleanly, and accepts stains and finishes readily. For contractors handling large volumes of material on a tight timeline, Western Red Cedar is forgiving and efficient.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar is also very workable — it cuts cleanly, machines well, and finishes beautifully — but it's denser and heavier than Western Red Cedar, which means slightly more effort on installation. It glues reliably and accepts both oil finishes and film-forming coatings equally well.

Edge: Western Red Cedar for ease and speed of installation. Alaskan Yellow Cedar is still very workable, but the additional density is noticeable.

Cost

Depending on the application, Alaskan Yellow Cedar is similarly priced or slightly lower than Western Red Cedar. Dimensional lumber pricing is comparable between the two species, while timbers are generally priced the same. For projects where longevity is the primary concern — docks, structural timbers, decking in harsh environments — Alaskan Yellow Cedar delivers exceptional long-term value at a price point that may surprise you.

Edge: Alaskan Yellow Cedar offers comparable or better value depending on the application.

Which Species Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick-reference guide based on project type:

Choose Western Red Cedar if:

  • You’re building decorative exterior siding, shingles, or fencing where aesthetic warmth is the priority

  • The application is above-ground and can be maintained with a finish every few years

  • You’re working on a project where the classic cedar look is part of the design intent

estern Red Cedar privacy fence with decorative lattice top showing warm reddish-brown natural colouring.estern Red Cedar privacy fence with decorative lattice top showing warm reddish-brown natural colouring.

Choose Alaskan Yellow Cedar if:

  • You’re building a deck, dock, or any structure in direct contact with water or consistently wet conditions

  • You need structural timbers or beams that will carry load and be exposed to the elements

  • You want maximum durability with minimal long-term maintenance

  • The project calls for a clean, bright, contemporary aesthetic — particularly for modern exterior cladding and siding

  • You’re investing in a premium build and want the wood to outlast the structure around it

Modern exterior building clad in pale-yellow Alaskan Yellow Cedar vertical siding with black metal accents.Modern exterior building clad in pale-yellow Alaskan Yellow Cedar vertical siding with black metal accents.

Your Source for Western Red Cedar & Alaskan Yellow Cedar in Muskoka

Muskoka Timber Mills stocks and supplies both Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar in a range of sizes, profiles, and grades — including custom milling for projects that require something beyond standard dimensions. If you’re unsure which species is right for your application, our team works with architects, contractors, and project managers across Muskoka and beyond and can help you navigate the decision based on your specific build conditions, aesthetic goals, and budget.

Contact us, visit our Bracebridge Showroom, or book a free call with one of our experts to discuss your project.