Frequently Asked Questions

Pinnacle™ Western Red Cedar is an exclusive, premium-grade lumber line distributed by National Forest Products. Every board is hand-selected using a proprietary grading system that eliminates checks (surface cracks), wanes (missing edge wood), and rot. The result is a visually superior, structurally sound cedar that outperforms standard mill-run grades.

We carry three profiles: Tongue & Groove (T&G) for seamless paneling and soffits; Surfaced Four Sides (S4S) for decking, siding, fencing, and dimension framing; and Shadow Line S4S for contemporary exterior cladding with clean shadow reveals. The 2× dimension range (2×4, 2×6, 2×8) is available S4S only.

We deliver throughout Quebec (including Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, and Gatineau) and Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall). Flat-rate delivery pricing is available — contact us for a quote specific to your location.

The minimum order is $500 CAD (pre-tax). Our board calculator will show a warning if your estimate falls below this threshold. This minimum applies to all orders regardless of delivery or pickup.

Use our online board calculator to build your order, then submit it by email to orders@cedardirect.ca. Your cart summary will be automatically formatted for easy emailing. We will confirm availability, provide a subtotal with applicable taxes, and arrange delivery or pickup scheduling within one business day.

Typical lead time is 3–7 business days from order confirmation, depending on your location and order volume. Large orders or locations at the edges of our service region may require additional time. We will provide an estimated delivery date at the time of order confirmation.

Yes. Contractors and builders placing recurring or volume orders are encouraged to contact us directly at orders@cedardirect.ca to discuss account pricing. Contractor accounts are assessed on a case-by-case basis based on projected annual volume.

Western Red Cedar contains natural oils (thujaplicins) that provide inherent resistance to decay and insects—without chemical treatment. It is significantly lighter than pressure-treated pine, easier to work with hand and power tools, safe for contact applications such as saunas and vegetable garden boxes, and does not corrode metal fasteners. Pinnacle™ grading adds a further advantage: no defects means less waste on the job site.

Absolutely. Western Red Cedar is the industry-standard species for sauna interiors due to its low density (stays cool to the touch), aromatic scent, natural moisture resistance, and dimensional stability under heat cycling. Our 1×4 Tongue & Groove and A&B Clear KD T&G profiles are purpose-built for sauna paneling and ceiling applications.

Cedar does not require sealing to remain structurally sound — its natural oils provide excellent decay resistance. However, if you want to preserve the warm reddish-brown colour, a UV-blocking penetrating oil or semi-transparent stain is recommended. Left untreated, cedar will naturally weather to a silver-grey patina over 1–2 seasons. Interior applications (saunas, ceilings) generally require no finish.

Lumber is sold by its nominal (named) size, but the actual milled dimension is slightly smaller due to surfacing. Common examples: a 1×4 measures approximately ¾" × 3½"; a 1×6 measures approximately ¾" × 5½"; a 5/4×6 measures approximately 1" × 5½"; a 2×4 measures approximately 1½" × 3½"; a 2×6 measures approximately 1½" × 5½"; a 2×8 measures approximately 1½" × 7¼". Lengths are true to the nominal foot.

Use the CedarDirect Board Calculator. Enter your area (square footage or linear footage), select your product and profile, and the calculator will output the number of boards required, estimated cost, and volume in m³. For T&G paneling, measure the net coverage area (not the overall room dimensions). Add 10–15% for cutting waste on typical installations. Our team is happy to review your project quantities before you order.