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White Cedar
Blessed with natural preservatives, that make it one of the most decay/rot resistant and insect tolerant woods available. Minimal cracking/checking. Cracks will not penentrate the heartwood.
White/Red Pine
Not naturally resistant to rot or insects. Kiln-drying typically used to kill existing insects in wood. Requires preservative treatments to prevent future rot and insect damage, however, these treatments lose their abilities once the logs crack, opening up unprotected areas. Large cracks are common, often penetrating the heartwood.
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White Cedar
According to a University of Maine study, initiated to determine the natural durability of various species of commonly used woods, untreated white cedar was found to possess a high natrual durability, even under ground contact conditions, as attested by the existence of surveyor's corner posts and rail fences still serviceable after 50-60 years or more.
White/Red Pine
The life expectancy of untreated wood species, (other than cedar) commonly used in log home construction, with ground contact, range from 3-7 years.
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White Cedar
Has less moisture when green (3500 lbs per cord), making it easier to reach desired moisture content levels. Cedar can be naturally air-dried to a 14-16% moisture level in a fairly short time. Air drying allows the wood to acclimate itself to the new moisture level without harming its' molecular structure.
White/Red Pine
Pine averages 4700 lbs per cord immediately after harvest. The natural character of the wood is to retain moisture and in turn, release it very slowly if it is "forced out" unnaturally, risking possible cell rupture.
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White Cedar
White cedar has the highest "R" value of any of the wood species used in log home production. A rating of 1.41 "R"/inch of thickness.
White/Red Pine
The "R" value of various pine species used in log production averages 1.12 "R"/inch of thickness.
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White Cedar
According the the ASHRAE Handbook, the "R" Factor/Thermal Mass Factor of white cedar is 3.78.
White/Red Pine
According to the ASHRAE Handbook, the "R" Factor/Thermal Mass Factor of pine is 2.76.
White Cedar vs Red Pine
Knot bleeding can occur when a knot contains an excessive amount of extractives. In these cases, the extractives consists mainly of rosin, fats and turpentine and these extraneous materials can make up as much as 50% of the knot by weight. The extractive percentage is higher or lower in different wood species. The extractive rich woods are primarily all pine(especially red pine), western red cedar and incense cedar.
Kiln drying wood can help reduce knot bleeding in pine, but it won't eliminate it. Droplets of pitch will occur in pine log sidings when exposed to direct sun light or rain. The tendency for the knots to bleed will occur for many years, and they have been know to discharge resin for up to 50 years.
Pine log siding will need to be sanded and restained to remove the discharged sap. This is an expensive procedure that will need to be performed repeatedly. To date, the best method of preventing extractive bleeding is a combination of good field practice and the use of quality products. Northern White Cedar is that product, as it contains a very low amount of extractives. When this is combined with our kiln drying process you will not experience any knot bleeding with our log siding products. The average cost to restain a house is $2/sq ft of wall surface. The cost to strip a house it is at least $2/sq ft but probably more. When figuring the cost differential between white cedar vs pine you need to consider the additional maintenance pine requires. This is especially true if the pine siding knots leak sap. This is a common problem with sun exposed pine siding, and their knots could leak sap annually for many years.
White Cedar Red Pine
 
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