Home / Wood Compare / Deodar Cedar vs Western Red Cedar
Professional Comparison · Verified Engineering Data · Updated 19 July 2026
Deodar Cedar VS Western Red Cedar
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
Verdict: near-tie. The right choice depends on the application — see winner by category below.
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Deodar Cedar
24/100 Library Score
🌲Softwood🌧Outdoor
- Harder wear surface (Janka 580 vs 350 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 64.0 vs 51.7 MPa)
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Western Red Cedar
22/100 Library Score
🌲Softwood🌧Outdoor
- Easier to machine and fasten
- Lighter (0.32 vs 0.48 g/cm³)
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Deodar CedarWestern Red Cedar
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
- Rated for exterior exposure (EN 350 Class 2)
- Easy to machine, glue and fasten
- Lightweight — easy handling and installation
Limitations
- Noticeable seasonal movement — allow for it in design
- Soft surface — dents under point loads
Western Red Cedar
Advantages
- Rated for exterior exposure (EN 350 Class 2)
- Easy to machine, glue and fasten
- Lightweight — easy handling and installation
Limitations
- Noticeable seasonal movement — allow for it in design
- Soft surface — dents under point loads
Recommendation
Choose Deodar Cedar if…
- The surface takes traffic or impact
Choose Western Red Cedar if…
- Ease of working and fastening matters
- Weight matters — ceilings, wall panels, transport
- Its profile matches the application better than a single overall score
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Deodar Cedar or Western Red Cedar?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable). For outdoor decisions between them, weigh dimensional stability and hardness instead.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
They are closely matched outdoors — durability and stability come out almost level. Let the application decide: harder surface for decking traffic, lighter weight for cladding.
Is Deodar Cedar harder than Western Red Cedar?
Yes — Janka 580 lbf vs 350 lbf.
How we score. Each wood gets a weighted composite of the verified figures shown above: durability 22%, stability 18%, hardness 12%, bending strength 12%, machining ease 12%, stiffness 8%, flame spread 8%, lightness 8%. The Library Score is that composite's percentile rank within our 60-species library — 50 means the library median, 90 means it outperforms nine of every ten species we cover. No price data is scored — cost guidance is qualitative. The score summarises the data; it does not replace judgement about your specific application.