Wood Guide
Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
Lightweight, stable, and naturally durable, redwood is prized for decking, outdoor furniture, and garden structures with a warm red tone.
Overview
Warm red‑brown that weathers to gray; knots common in construction grades.
Maker’s note: Select heartwood for outdoor use; sapwood is less durable.
Appearance
Heartwood
Brick Red
Brick Red
Sapwood
Pale Cream
Pale Cream
Grain
Straight
Texture Coarse
Luster Low
Properties
Janka hardness
450 lbf
450 lbf
Density
450 kg/m³
450 kg/m³
MOR
68 MPa
68 MPa
Crushing strength
35 MPa
35 MPa
Shrink (radial)
2.4%
2.4%
Shrink (tangential)
5%
5%
Shrink (volumetric)
7.5%
7.5%
Movement
Low
Low
Steam bending
Fair
Fair
Values are typical; verify with your supplier.
Workability & Safety
Machining
Soft earlywood; support cuts to prevent tear‑out around knots.
Hand tools
Cuts easily; latewood bands can chatter if tools are dull.
Turning
Turns cleanly for larger outdoor pieces.
Sanding schedule 120 → 150 → 180 → 220
Gluing Good
Finishing notes Use penetrating exterior oils or stains; recoat periodically outdoors.
Silica present
Blunting effect Low
Food contact OK
Toxicity flags
Toxicity notes Use standard PPE; extractives can irritate sensitive skin.
Sourcing & Sustainability
Prefer second‑growth or reclaimed; avoid old‑growth sources.
FSC available
Pricing —
Notes: Clear all‑heart grades price significantly higher than construction grades. • Updated:
Uses & Positioning
Avoid for High‑impact wear surfaces
Ideal for outdoor structures with a soft hand; maintain with periodic recoats.
Gallery
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