Western Red Cedar: 5 Best Buys for Grill, Home & Garden

Have you ever wondered why builders and cooks love Western Red Cedar? It smells pleasant, helps keep pests away, and looks great on siding and furniture. This post highlights five smart buys—from grilling planks and western red cedar lumber to closet blocks and mulch. Read on for quick, practical tips to pick the right product for your needs.

Western Red Cedar stands out for grilling, building, siding, storage freshness, and garden use thanks to its aroma, stability, and natural decay resistance. This guide compares top products, sizes, grades, and prices for 2025, with quick tips that help you pick the right cedar wood for each job.

Best Western Red Cedar Grilling Products

Grilling Planks

Plank grilling with western red cedar gives salmon, veggies, and seafood a gentle smoke while keeping food moist and tender, which is why chefs love it for consistent results on gas or charcoal grills.

Soak planks for 15–45 minutes, preheat your grill, and place food directly on the wood for clean, aromatic flavor without flare-ups or sticking.

Below are reliable cedar planks for all skill levels.

Soak cedar planks in water, apple juice, or cider for deeper aroma and fewer flare-ups.

Chef’s note

Cedar Chips and Shavings

Cedar chips add a mild smoke that pairs with seafood, chicken, and veggies; use a smoker box or foil pouch with a few vent holes for steady burn.

• Soak chips for 15–30 minutes for longer smoldering and cleaner smoke.
• Use a small handful on gas grills; add more in stages to avoid bitter flavor from over-smoking.
• Mix cedar with fruitwood for balanced, layered aroma on delicate fish.
• Keep grill temps in the 350–400°F range to protect the cedar’s sweet notes.

Premium Western Red Cedar Lumber

Standard Grades and Dimensions

Western red cedar lumber comes in clear, select tight knot (STK), and #2 grades, with common sizes like 1×4, 1×6, 2×6, and 4×4 from 8’–20’; these options fit decks, fences, trim, and custom builds (WoodVendors cedar dimension guide).

Grade	Appearance	Typical Use	Common Sizes
Clear VG	Nearly knot-free	High-end trim, siding, benches	1×4, 1×6, 1×8
Clear	Minimal tight knots	Furniture, fascia, interior	1×6, 1×8, 2×6
STK	Sound tight knots	Decking, fencing, pergolas	1×6, 2×6, 4×4
#2 Rough	More visible knots	Garden beds, utility, cladding	1x, 2x, 4x posts

Consider cedar plywood for paneling or sheathing needs that benefit from cedar’s aroma and stability, then match trims and caps to the same grade for consistent color (cedar plywood).

Pricing and Bulk Options

Retail pricing in 2025 often ranges from $3.80–$19.90 per linear foot based on size and grade, with clear vertical-grain boards at the top of the range and #2 rough near the bottom; buying entire lifts or popular sizes usually drops the per-foot cost. For small projects that need dimensional stability and aroma, these cedar slabs are a handy pick

Western Red Cedar Siding Solutions

Siding Profiles and Shapes

Western red cedar siding comes in bevel, channel, tongue-and-groove, and board-and-batten, prized for light weight, workability, and natural decay resistance (Baker Lumber — Western Red Cedar).

Pick bevel for classic shadows, channel for rustic lines, T&G for a crisp modern look, and board-and-batten for vertical drama with strong water shedding.

Finishing and Protection

To preserve cedar’s warm tone and reduce checking, use a penetrating finish with UV blockers within 2–4 weeks of install, and recoat as needed based on exposure; shaded walls last longer between coats. A contractor-grade option made for cedar is shown here for easy brush or spray application outdoors

Use back-priming or a thin seal coat on all sides before installation, leave small gaps for drainage, and flash openings carefully to reduce moisture traps; see options in this guide to outdoor furniture wood to match trims and accents.

Aromatic Cedar for Home Storage

Closet Fresheners and Blocks

The natural oils in the western red cedar tree freshen closets and drawers while helping deter moths; place blocks or sachets near wool and seasonal storage for best effect.

Here are easy-to-use cedar fresheners that work in closets, bins, and shoes.

Pest Control Applications

Lightly sand cedar blocks every few months to refresh aroma, rotate sachets between storage bins, and keep fresheners out of direct sunlight for longer life.

For larger trunks or wardrobes, combine blocks with cedar hangers or liners to boost coverage without adding chemicals or strong artificial scents.

Garden and Landscaping Applications

Mulch and Bedding Options

Shavings from the western cedar tree help control odors, moderate soil temperature, and repel common pests; use 2–3 inches of mulch around ornamentals, pathways, and raised beds.

Top up thin spots each season, rake compacted areas to restore airflow, and keep mulch a few inches from trunks to prevent moisture issues near bark; small pet areas also benefit from periodic refresh.

For planters and small garden projects, this bagged option is easy to spread and store while keeping areas fresh

Pest Repellent Properties

Cedar’s aroma signals natural oils that many insects dislike, which supports low-chemical garden upkeep; in high-pressure areas, combine cedar mulch with targeted traps and proper sanitation.

Use western cedar lumber for raised beds and borders where moisture is present, as cedar resists decay better than many softwoods and keeps soil contact projects looking tidy longer.

Western Red Cedar Buying Guide

Market Pricing Trends

Lumber prices in 2025 remain volatile; the composite price hovered near $548.50/MBF in late 2025, up about 11% year over year (Trading Economics lumber price).

Expect western cedar lumber to price above many softwoods thanks to demand, limited supply, and strong performance outdoors; plan purchases early and group orders to cut freight and waste.

Quality and Grading Standards

Match grade to use: clear or VG for visible trim, STK for decks and fences, and #2 rough where appearance matters less; pick straight grain for better stability and fewer checks in sun and rain.

For wet or coastal builds, combine cedar with moisture-smart materials like marine plywood in structural areas and use stainless fasteners to limit staining and streaks (marine plywood).

Supplier Selection Tips

Ask suppliers for written grade specs, moisture content, and return policy, then request a few sample boards to verify color match and knot frequency before placing a large order.

Compare mills on lead time, milling accuracy, and packaging; tight wrap and spacers reduce handling damage, while lift pricing and mixed bundles lower costs for multi-size projects.

If you plan both siding and furniture, keep species and finish aligned across elements for consistent tone; see Atlas cedar to learn how different cedars vary in texture and color.

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