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Discussion Forum

What is Green Cedar?

rickjl | Posted in Construction Techniques on August 24, 2008 04:01am

Lowes and Home Depot sell green cedar.  Is that a species of wood or its condition?

I want to pretend I’m Norm and build some fixed louver exterior wood shutters.  It feels like it is wet.  Can you glue it using the normal Titebond waterproof glue?  What about paint.

The shutters online use western red cedar.  Is that about  the same?

Reply

Replies

  1. Scott | Aug 24, 2008 07:08am | #1

    I suspect it's Western Redcedar, but without seeing it it's hard to say.

    If it is, I'd suggest letting it dry for a bit.

    It's a nice wood to work with...soft, decay resistant, nice grain pattern, and pleasant smell. But it certainly does shrink when it dries, and will split/check like crazy if you put it in the hot sun when it's green (what wood doesn't?). I made the mistake of trimming a bunch of exterior lights and plugs on the South side of the house with 2" rough sawn green cedar. Yup, I'm replacing those pieces now....checked all to heck.

    I've bought lots of rough sawn green cedar from a local mill and used used it for furniture, exterior trim, decking, etc. I think you'll be much happier if you can let it sit outside for a while, covered and in the shade. A few months or years later it will be dry and stable, ready to use.

    Scott.

    Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Aug 24, 2008 07:55am | #2

    Green means that it is not dried.

    Dry in construction lumber means 19% or less.

    But in face it will still dry more and during the summer finally reach maybe 10% depending on where you are. That is for exterior wood.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
  3. atrident | Aug 24, 2008 05:41pm | #3

     They were selling some cedar that was labled green cedar. It was a name for some fence boards imported from China. Not cedar as we know it.

    1. User avater
      maddog3 | Aug 24, 2008 05:50pm | #4

      "... fence boards imported from China. "wonder what kind of pests are in that stuff ?.

      .

      .. . . . . . . .

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