Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 22, 1999 07:06am | #1

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   Red cedar is the only kind that I feel comfortable with on the exterior. It's natural abilities and close grain make it an easy choice.

   I don't know of anyone here that uses white cedar.

2. 
   Steven_Kreitz | Feb 22, 1999 08:48pm | #2

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   There's a pretty good discussion of this subject in the current issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine. Here in the midwest, we can only find 3 grades of red cedar. I'm sure I could special order white, but I can't see much advantage to do that for the added cost.

   Whatever you get, get clear, vertical grain. You will thank yourself years to come.

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 27, 1999 06:33am | #3

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   Here in the East we like red and white. Be sure to buy #1's or perfections though.

   The current battle of words seems mainly to be industry propoganda.

   Jon

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 01, 1999 09:08pm | #4

   *Out here on Long Island we have both red and white. The contractors say red is much better but the 100+ year old homes with origional siding are often white. I prefer the look of white. I would suggest that you go by cost and personal preferance and use good fasteners and flashing.

4. 
   jack_keating | Mar 01, 1999 10:18pm | #5

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   > with red cedar you'll have to treat them somehow i.e paint, stain etc. White cedar doesn
   't need any treatment they weather naturally so take that into consideration for future maintenance.

1. 
   Steven_Kreitz | Mar 02, 1999 02:49am | #6

   *Ron, I would be interested to hear the cost comparison of a square of red to that of white out there in Long Island? Are they pretty comparible to each other in cost?Also, how do you like newly-cut #1 whites relative to reds, considering closeness of grain, splitting, etc...

5. 
   Guest_ | Mar 02, 1999 03:39am | #7

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   Out here on Marthas Vineyard where everything costs more than it does on the mainland we use alot of cedar shingles. The tradition here is to use reds on the roof and whites on the walls. Red cedar shingles do not require any treatment after installation. They turn a nice silvery gray in about 6 months in the salt air and sun, the whites turn a mellow gray in about the same time when they are exposed to weather. If they don't catch any weather they will stay new looking for years. Reds R&Rs (re-squared & re-butted) sell for about $225.00 per square, the non-R&Rs sell for $160.00. Whites A's R&Rs $160.00, Bs R&Rs $140.00. I charge between $150.00 and $200.00 per square to put them up, depending on the job. That may seem high to some of you, but like I said everything here on "the rock" costs a little more.
   A gallon of premium gas is $1.67 and they bend you over every time you go to the supermarket too.
   i guess thats the price you pay to live the good life out here.Happy hammering... Scott

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   Guest_ | Mar 03, 1999 05:56pm | #8

   *You can get white extras for under $20 a bundle here on Long Island if you can find them. Reds are about $28. The whites are a little narrower so more labor and fasteners are needed

6. 
   J_Callahan | Mar 11, 1999 04:04am | #9

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   White cedar would be fine for sidewalls. J Thompson is right about buying a good grade. I'm shingling a big barn with white second clears. There's a lot of waste ..... some bundles were not fit for even shim stock or kindling. If it were me I would dip the shingles (Cabot's bleaching oil is good if you want a weathered look)before you put them up, use good fasteners (stainless if you are near salt water), proper flashing, and use a good polyurethane caulk where the shingles butt the cornerboards and then chances are you have sidewalls that outlast you and me both. jc

7. 
   jm10555 | Mar 11, 1999 04:04am | #10

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   Im building a new home and decided to use cedar shingles for exterior walls but red or white shingles any help to decide.