Western Red Cedar – King of the Wood

In Latin, Thuja plicata refers to Western Red Cedar. It’s native to the west coast of the United States and is one of the most abundant tree species in the Pacific Northwest.

So what makes Western Red Cedar such a popular material?

It’s widely used in outdoor construction, including decking, docks, kayaks, sailboats, and even roofing. Its popularity comes from a combination of appearance, durability, and natural properties that make it well suited for outdoor environments.

Western Red Cedar’s “Resume”

• Straight, tight grain with very few knots
  
• Naturally occurring fungicides that help resist rot
  
• Resistant to insect damage
  
• Strong while still being relatively lightweight
  
• Pitch and resin free
  
• Accepts a wide variety of stains and finishes
  
• Durable enough to resist scratches in many applications
  
  

Western Red Cedar is also recognized for its sustainability. As noted by Think Wood:

“Western red cedar is renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and harvested from some of the most sustainably managed forests in the world.”

With its durability, natural resistance to decay, and attractive appearance, it’s easy to see why Western Red Cedar remains a popular choice for dock decking.

It’s also one of the more affordable natural decking options available.

To extend the life of cedar decking, applying a deck sealer is recommended. Many dock owners choose stains and sealers to match the color of nearby structures while protecting the wood from moisture and sun exposure. We recommend an optional Cabot stain to match the tones in your house with a deck sealer like Thompson’s Water Seal.

A common setup combines aluminum dock framing with Western Red Cedar decking, offering both durability and a classic natural look.

At Patriot Docks, dock packages and cedar decking panels are available in several configurations. Customers can choose complete dock packages or purchase decking panels separately depending on their project needs.

For more information on dock options and decking materials, visit our shop to explore available configurations.