ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D VS Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar
- Harder wear surface (Janka 540 vs 350 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 65.0 vs 45.0 MPa)
- Easier to machine and fasten
- Lighter (0.38 vs 0.42 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 | ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D |
| Strength (MOR) | Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar |
| Stiffness (MOE) | ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar |
| Lightness | Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar |
Engineering data
| Property | ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 540UNV lbf | 350UNV lbf |
| Density | 0.42ITWA g/cm³ | 0.38ITWA g/cm³ |
| MOE | 9.3ITWA GPa | 7.5ITWA GPa |
| MOR | 38.1ITWA MPa | 45.0ITWA MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable (treated) | Class 2 Durable (treated) |
| Stability | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Not classified | Not classified |
| Radial Shrink | 1.2ITWA % | 1ITWA % |
| Tangential Shrink | 2.5ITWA % | 2ITWA % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.08 | 2.0 |
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 | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★★★☆☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar | ★★★★☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D
Advantages relative to Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar
- Janka is 540 lbf vs 350 lbf, about 54% harder
- MOE is 9.3 GPa vs 7.5 GPa, about 24% higher
Limitations relative to Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar
- MOR is 38.1 MPa vs 45 MPa, about 15% lower
Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar
Advantages relative to ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D
- MOR is 45 MPa vs 38.1 MPa, about 18% higher
Limitations relative to ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D
- Janka is 350 lbf vs 540 lbf, about 35% lower
- MOE is 7.5 GPa vs 9.3 GPa, about 19% lower
Recommendation
Choose ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D if…
- Saunas (a signature use — low thermal conductivity and no resin bleed after modification) and rain screens where the sauna-specific profile is the specification
- Exterior cladding and decking where the higher hardness and stiffness are what the piece must deliver
Choose Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar if…
- Exterior cladding and rain screens where the modified western red cedar profile is what the project is specifying and the higher bending strength matters
- Interior panelling where the lighter softwood working profile is acceptable and the piece will not see hard wear
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D or Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable (treated)). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 2.5% against 2.0% tangential. The practical difference is weight: ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D runs 0.42 g/cm³ against 0.38, so Thermally Modified 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 2.5% for ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D against 2.0% for Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar holds its dimension marginally better. ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D gives the harder wearing surface at 540 lbf; Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar is the lighter section at 0.38 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D harder than Thermally Modified Western Red Cedar?
Yes — Janka 540 lbf vs 350 lbf.