Two "cedars" that aren't true cedars
If you're choosing wood for a sauna or a deck, you'll often see Japanese Sugi and western red cedar side by side. They have a lot in common: both are light, soft, easy-to-work softwoods in the cypress family, and neither is a true cedar. Both work well for saunas and outdoor projects. The differences come down to look, scent, availability and price. Here's an honest comparison.
| Japanese Sugi | Western red cedar | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Cryptomeria japonica, often called Japanese cedar. Not a true cedar; it's in the cypress family. | Thuja plicata, native to the Pacific Northwest. Also not a true cedar; also in the cypress family. |
| Weight and hardness | Light and soft. | Light and soft. The two are broadly similar; both dent more easily than hardwoods. |
| Look | Cream sapwood next to pinkish to reddish-brown heartwood; boards often show bold striping. | Ranges from light amber to reddish brown; can vary a lot board to board. |
| Scent | Mild, light wood scent. | Strong, familiar cedar aroma. |
| Outdoors | Heartwood has natural decay resistance. Weathers to gray if left unfinished. | Well known for natural decay resistance in the heartwood. Weathers to silver-gray if left unfinished. |
| Workability | Cuts, nails and sands easily. Kiln dried. | Cuts, nails and sands easily. Known for staying stable. |
| Traditional use | Centuries of use in Japanese building; the classic wood for charred yakisugi (shou sugi ban) siding. | The standard cedar for decks, siding, fences and saunas across much of North America. |
General characteristics. Individual boards vary by grade, cut and how the tree grew.
For saunas
Both woods are popular sauna choices because they're light and low in density, so they don't feel as hot to the touch as dense woods. Things to weigh:
- Scent: western red cedar has a strong aroma that some people love and others find too much in a hot room. Sugi's scent is milder.
- Look: Sugi's sapwood and heartwood stripes give a lively, natural look. Western red cedar can look warmer and more uniform in clear grades, but lower grades can vary a lot.
- Profile: our 1x6 Sugi tongue and groove ($1.95/lin ft) is reversible, with a V-groove on one face and a nickel-gap look on the other.
Whichever you pick, many builders leave sauna interiors unfinished or use a sauna-specific finish, and keep film finishes off benches. Estimate your boards with the sauna wood calculator.
For decks and outdoor projects
Both are used for decks, fences, planters and siding. Neither is as hard as a hardwood or composite, so expect some dents and wear. Things that help either one last outdoors:
- Keep good airflow under the deck and leave gaps between boards so they dry out.
- Use stainless or coated fasteners; plain steel can react with cedar-type woods and leave dark stains.
- Apply an exterior finish if you want to keep the color; otherwise both weather to gray.
We carry Sugi decking in 5/4x6 (a true 1 in. thick, $2/lin ft) and 2x6 ($2.65/lin ft). See our Sugi decking page, or browse redwood, cedar and composite options in our decking section.
Sugi tongue and groove on soffits, ceilings and siding
Sugi isn't just for saunas. Here's our 1x6 tongue and groove on exterior soffits, a vaulted ceiling and shed siding, natural and with a light gray stain. Tap a photo to see it larger.
Building a sauna? See saunas built with Sugi tongue and groove.
See Sugi in person in Nampa
The best way to choose is to see both woods side by side. Stop by our shop at 1113 N 39th St in Nampa. Our hours vary, so please call or text ahead. See our Sugi sauna wood →
Have a question about which wood fits your project? Call or text us.
GH Sales Lumber & Flooring
1113 N 39th St, Nampa, ID 83687
Call or text 208-606-0899 · info@ghsalesllc.com
Pickup in Nampa. Delivery available, call for a quote.
Serving Nampa, Caldwell, Boise, Meridian, Kuna, Star, Middleton, Emmett and the surrounding Treasure Valley.
Our hours vary, so please call or text ahead if you're making a special trip. Some days we're out for part or all of the day in the course of business.
- Monday11 AM to 6 PM
- Tuesday11 AM to 6 PM
- Wednesday11 AM to 3 PM
- Thursday11 AM to 6 PM
- Friday11 AM to 5:30 PM
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayBy appointment
Earlier or later times are available by appointment.