Giant cedar is used in timber construction for its natural decay resistance and attractive appearance. Because the trunks of giant cedar trees can measure several meters in diameter, the final products typically show significant color variation. The color ranges from pale sapwood to reddish or dark brown heartwood. To achieve a consistent finish, it is recommended to sort the panels by shade before installation—placing light-colored panels in one stack and darker or more patterned panels in separate stacks. During installation, panels should be alternated from each stack so that the different shades are evenly distributed across the surface. Stainless steel fasteners are recommended due to the wood’s acidity.

Giant cedar is soft, making it easy to work with, but also prone to dents, so careful handling before installation is necessary. The wood’s density varies significantly, even within the same board, which can cause roughness after planing. Moisture content may also vary considerably within a single piece, but movement due to moisture is small compared with spruce or pine. During drying, KD treatment is applied by adjusting the kiln temperature, achieving a moisture content of 8–14%.

Raw Material and Processing

We source only the highest-quality blanks from Canada. Blanks are sized 6” x 6–12” (152 mm x 152–304 mm) and are cut to planing dimensions in-house. This ensures most of the wood is quarter-sawn. The blanks are also dried in Finland, targeting a moisture content of 8–14%. Panels and boards are planed according to Finnish RT standards. Product lengths are invoiced in feet, converted to centimeters. Over 96% of giant cedar products are straight-grained (quarter-sawn). We aim to avoid mixed-grain blanks. The cutting phase allows us to influence the grain orientation of the final product.

All our giant cedar products are PEFC-certified. Giant cedar is native to North America and can grow up to 100 m tall, with trunks several meters in diameter. The trees can live well over 1,000 years, but those harvested for construction are typically 300–700 years old. The largest and oldest trees often have decayed heartwood. Giant cedar has a distinctive natural scent that fades over time.

Despite its exceptional longevity and widespread use, giant cedar is not listed as endangered due to its broad distribution.

Please note that we deliver our products in bundles. Bundle size is indicated together with stock information on top right corner.

Storage of Indoor Products

• Products should be acclimated in the room where they will be installed for 1–2 weeks.
• Products should be stored horizontally in unopened packages and elevated at least 30 mm from the surface.
• During storage, humidity must not exceed the normal moisture level of the installation site. The temperature should be higher than the outdoor temperature.

Note that any wet work in the space will significantly increase humidity. If products are stored in the same room, they may swell. Conversely, a construction heater dries the air and can shrink the product. Rapid drops in humidity may cause cracking in the wood. Also, if packages have been tightly stacked, the moisture content of the packages in the center and on the outside of the stack may differ.

Installation

• Plan the installation direction and possible joint locations.
• When paneling multiple walls horizontally, install panels on all walls simultaneously.
• Use fasteners suitable for the specific application.
• Sort panels by color or knots so they are evenly distributed across the surface.
• Regularly measure to ensure the installation progress remains as intended.
• If needed, consult a professional installer.

Panels are installed on the battens. The orientation of the battens depends on the paneling direction: for horizontal paneling, battens are installed vertically; for vertical paneling, battens are installed horizontally. Battens must be straight and spaced appropriately for the paneling, but no more than 600 mm apart.

When paneling multiple walls horizontally, installation progresses simultaneously on all walls, layer by layer, to ensure precise corner alignment. Fastening is recommended by nailing directly through the panel surface. Avoid hand-nailing with heat-treated products to prevent hammer marks or panel splitting. In humid areas and with heat-treated wood, use stainless steel fasteners.

Treatment & Maintenance

Treatment

• Always treat the entire panel along its full length to avoid visible seams.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Use a product suitable for the installation environment.
• Keep in mind that wood will “move” over time, so plan for slight dimensional changes.
• Products are available with either opaque or translucent finishes.
• Treatment can be done by painting, oiling, or varnishing.
• For translucent finishes, the product can be tinted or clear.

Maintenance

• Regular cleaning keeps surfaces in good condition and looking attractive.
• Maintenance intervals depend on the product type and installation location.
• Treat surfaces in a timely manner to prevent damage due to missing protective coating.

Lauta.fi delivers product sample pieces to both consumer customers and professionals, such as architects, interior architects and designers, construction industry and procurement professionals.

If you are interested in ordering one or more sample pieces, please contact our sales department via email lauta@lauta.fi or phone +358 3 3123 6000 (On weekdays 8-16).