Hinoki Cypress VS Deodar Cedar
- Harder wear surface (Janka 1010 vs 580 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 75.0 vs 64.0 MPa)
- Close second across most categories
- 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 | Hinoki Cypress |
| Strength (MOR) | Hinoki Cypress |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Hinoki Cypress |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Deodar Cedar |
| Lightness | Hinoki Cypress |
Engineering data
| Property | Hinoki Cypress | Deodar Cedar |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1010 lbf | 580 lbf |
| Density | 0.42 g/cm³ | 0.48 g/cm³ |
| MOE | 9.0 GPa | 8.5 GPa |
| MOR | 75.0 MPa | 64.0 MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Class C indicative | Class C indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 2 % | 2 % |
| Tangential Shrink | 4.5 % | 4.5 % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.25 | 2.25 |
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 | 🥇 Hinoki Cypress | ★★★☆☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Hinoki Cypress | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Hinoki Cypress | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Deodar Cedar | ★★★☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Hinoki Cypress | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Hinoki Cypress
Advantages relative to Deodar Cedar
- Janka is 1,010 lbf vs 580 lbf, about 74% harder
- MOR is 75 MPa vs 64 MPa, about 17% higher
Limitations relative to Deodar Cedar
Deodar Cedar
Advantages relative to Hinoki Cypress
Limitations relative to Hinoki Cypress
- Janka is 580 lbf vs 1,010 lbf, about 43% lower
- MOR is 64 MPa vs 75 MPa, about 15% lower
Recommendation
Choose Hinoki Cypress if…
- Shrine, temple and palace construction, high-grade interior joinery, ofuro and bathhouse interiors, saunas and sushi counters where the harder, stronger surface matches what the traditional application demands
- Chopping boards, kitchenware and interior panelling where dent resistance and finish quality are the specification
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 working properties are what the piece needs
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Hinoki Cypress or Deodar Cedar?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 4.5% against 4.5% tangential. The practical difference is weight: Deodar Cedar runs 0.48 g/cm³ against 0.42, so Hinoki Cypress 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 Hinoki Cypress against 4.5% for Deodar Cedar — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Deodar Cedar holds its dimension marginally better. Hinoki Cypress gives the harder wearing surface at 1,010 lbf; Hinoki Cypress is the lighter section at 0.42 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is Hinoki Cypress harder than Deodar Cedar?
Yes — Janka 1010 lbf vs 580 lbf.