Why Ward Builds with Northern White Cedar
Cedar is one of the best woods for log homes because it naturally resists rot, decay and insects, moves less than other wood, insulates well, and keeps looking great year after year. That is why Ward Cedar Log Homes has built with Northern White Cedar for more than 100 years.
Cedar Naturally Resists Rot, Decay, and Insects
Northern White Cedar has natural qualities that help it stand up to rot, decay, and insects. That matter in a log home because the logs serve as both structure and finish.
Some wood species need more help to perform well over time. Cedar brings more natural durability from the start, which is the one reason it has been used for outdoor building, fencing, shingles, and log homes for generations.
The natural durability becomes even more important when you understand the basics of log home construction and how much the wall system matters over time.
Cedar Moves Less and Helps Log Wall Stay Stable
All wood moves a little. It expands and contracts as moisture, temperature, and weather changes. Cedar tends to stay more stable than many other woods used in log home construction.
That stability helps reduce some of the common concerns homeowners have about settling, warping, checking, and long-term gaps. It does not mean the wood never moves. Real wood always responds to its environment. But cedar gives us a better starting point.
When you combine stable cedar with proper drying, careful milling, and a strong sealing system, the home has a much better chance of staying tight and comfortable over time.
If drafts are one of your concerns, our article on do log homes get drafty over time explaines how wood movement, sealing, and maintenance all work together.
Cedar Helps Make a Log Home More Comfortable
Cedar also helps with comfort. Northern White Cedar has one of the highest insulating values among common wood species, which helps support a more comfortable home through the changing seasons.
Of course, comfort does not come for the wood alone. The wall profile, joinery, sealing system, windows, roof system, and overall design all play a role. Cedar gives the home a strong foundation for year-round comfort.
That is why Ward pairs Northern White Cedar with our Comfort System 5 wall system to help create a tighter, more comfortable log home.
Cedar Ages Beautifully With the Right Care
Cedar doesn’t just perform well, it looks good doing it. Left unfinished, cedar can weather naturally to a silver patina. Many homeowners prefer to apply a stain, such as Q8 Log Oil, to help preserve color and protect the wood’s appearance.
Either way, it wears well. There’s a warmth and texture to cedar that just feels right in a log home.
Why Ward Has Stayed with Cedar for More Than 100 Years
We’ve been using Northern White Cedar from day one. We know how to work with it and we know how it performs. Most importantly, we’ve seen what it looks like 10, 20, 50 years down the road. It’s dependable, it’s beautiful, and for us, it’s never been worth switching.
That experience mattes. Trends come and go, but a log home needs to hold up in the real world. Cedar has helped us build homes that feel solid, comfortable, and dependable for generations.
Whether you start with an existing plan or design a custom cedar log home, the wood you choose play a big role in how your home performs.
Ready to Build with Cedar?
If you are comparing wood types or trying to figure out what matters most in your build, we are here to go over it all with you. Get in touch with our team. No pressure, just good information so you can make the right call for your log home.
If you are just starting to explore your options, we recommend downloading the Getting Started Guide – The Ward Way or checking out some of our most popular floor plans to see what feels right for the way you want to live.
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