Deodar Cedar VS Western Red Cedar
- Harder wear surface (Janka 580 vs 350 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 64.0 vs 51.7 MPa)
- Easier to machine and fasten
- Lighter (0.32 vs 0.48 g/cm³)
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Deodar Cedar |
| Strength (MOR) | Deodar Cedar |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Deodar Cedar |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Western Red Cedar |
| Lightness | Western Red Cedar |
Engineering data
| Property | Deodar Cedar | Western Red Cedar |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 580 lbf | 350WD lbf |
| Density | 0.48 g/cm³ | 0.32FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 8.5 GPa | 7.7FPL GPa |
| MOR | 64.0 MPa | 51.7FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Class C indicative | Class C indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 2 % | 2.4WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 4.5 % | 5WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.25 | 2.08 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 Deodar Cedar | ★★★☆☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Western Red Cedar | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Deodar Cedar | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Western Red Cedar | ★★★★☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Deodar Cedar | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Deodar Cedar
Advantages relative to Western Red Cedar
- Janka is 580 lbf vs 350 lbf, about 66% harder
- MOR is 64 MPa vs 51.7 MPa, about 24% higher
Limitations relative to Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar
Advantages relative to Deodar Cedar
Limitations relative to Deodar Cedar
- Janka is 350 lbf vs 580 lbf, about 40% lower
- MOR is 51.7 MPa vs 64 MPa, about 19% lower
Recommendation
Choose Deodar Cedar if…
- House construction, beams and support timbers, floorboards, door and window frames where the historic Himalayan structural role is the specification
- Temple building and Kashmiri houseboats where the documented traditional application matters and the higher stiffness and hardness are working values
Choose Western Red Cedar if…
- Exterior cladding, roofing shingles and light exterior joinery where the lighter density is a working advantage — the timber's documented sweet spot in lighter work
- Interior panelling and mouldings where cost or workability matters more than dent resistance
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Deodar Cedar or Western Red Cedar?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 4.5% against 5.0% tangential. The practical difference is weight: Deodar Cedar runs 0.48 g/cm³ against 0.32, so Western Red Cedar is the easier fix overhead and the cheaper one to freight.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 2, and tangential movement runs 4.5% for Deodar Cedar against 5.0% for Western Red Cedar — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Deodar Cedar holds its dimension marginally better. Deodar Cedar gives the harder wearing surface at 580 lbf; Western Red Cedar is the lighter section at 0.32 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is Deodar Cedar harder than Western Red Cedar?
Yes — Janka 580 lbf vs 350 lbf.