Real Cedar Logo
cladding
Back
real cedar cladding
introduction
Back
cladding home
cladding gallery
why real cedar?
western red cedar characteristics
sustainability
biophilia
design & spec
Back
cladding grades
engineered cedar
cladding calculator
building
Back
preparation for installation
pre-building tips
dupont™ tyvek® drainwrap™
installation
general installation
installing profiles
finishing
Back
how to finish
types of finishes
care & maintenance
restoration
cladding profiles and trim
Back
t&g cladding
trim boards
bevel cladding
board and batten cladding
shiplap or channel cladding
shingle panels
western red cedar soffits
decking
Back
real cedar decking
introduction
Back
decking home
decking gallery
why real cedar?
western red cedar characteristics
sustainability
biophilia
engineered cedar
planning
Back
decking calculator
building
Back
fastener recommendations
stair & railing installation
finishing
Back
finishing tips
restoration
care & maintenance
deck projects
Back
roof deck
raised deck
ground level deck
uphill sloping lot deck
outdoor
Back
real cedar outdoor
introduction
Back
outdoor home
outdoor gallery
why real cedar?
western red cedar characteristics
sustainability
biophilia
engineered cedar
design & spec
Back
real cedar free diy project plans
design tips
building
Back
project preparation
outdoor fasteners
fence construction
fence specifications
prebuilt fence panels
finishing
Back
finishing techniques
finishing tips
restoration tips
project care & maintenance
fencing
Back
fencing home
fence construction
fence specifications
prebuilt fence panels
indoor
Back
real cedar indoor
introduction
Back
indoor home
indoor gallery
why real cedar?
western red cedar characteristics
sustainability
biophilia
engineered cedar
building products
Back
building preparation
design tips
finishing
Back
finishing tips
care & maintenance
indoor projects
Back
indoor t&g paneling
cedar saunas
doors & windows
blinds & shutters
timbers
Back
real cedar timbers
introduction
Back
timbers home
timbers gallery
why real cedar?
western red cedar characteristics
sustainability
biophilia
engineered cedar
planning
Back
grades and specifications
building
Back
preparation
installation
maintenance
Back
finishing
restoring western red cedar timbers
care & maintenance
resources
Back
real cedar resources
case studies
gallery
cedar books
Western Red Cedar Cladding Grades

Western Red Cedar cladding is available in clear and knotty grades. Clear cladding gives premium quality appearance and is ideal for prestigious, upmarket applications. Knotty cladding has warmth and casual charm and is ideal for homes, cottages, club-houses and applications where a rustic appearance is desired.

Clear cladding is graded for smooth face use with the exception of Rustic which is graded for saw textured use only.

In this section
Table of Contents
Anchors placeholder image
Grades

Clear V.G. Heart

Clear VG Heart Cedar Siding

This is the highest Bevel cladding grade. All Clear V.G. Heart grade is sawn vertical grain (edge grain) and is kiln dried. Pieces have a smooth face of decay-resistant heartwood and are free from growth characteristics that affect appearance or performance. Pieces have excellent dimensional stability and hold finishes exceptionally well.Available solid wood or finger-joined.

Available in Bevel Cladding Pattern only.

Clear Heart

Clear Heart Cedar Siding

The highest grade for non-Bevel patterned cladding. Includes only pieces with heartwood on the exposed face. Many pieces completely clear, others have minor imperfections that do not detract from their fine appearance.

Available in Board & Batten, Tongue & Groove, Lap/Channel Cladding Patterns and Trim Boards

 

A Clear

A Clear Cedar Siding

This is a fine appearance grade that allows only slightly more growth characteristics than Clear Heart. Pieces are of mixed grain.These mixed grain (vertical and flat) pieces are graded from the surfaced face.Typically sold with a percentage of B grade.

Common specifications are A and Better and A and Better with a percentage of B Clear allowed.

Available in Bevel, Board & Batten, Tongue & Groove, Lap/Channel Cladding Patterns and Trim Boards

C and Better Clear

C Clear Cedar Siding

High quality lumber for use where appearance is important. In addition to interior and exterior trim, lumber of this grade is used for cabinetry, doors, windows and similar applications.

* Common specifications are C and Better and C and Better with a percentage of D Clear allowed.

Available in Board & Batten Cladding Pattern only.

Proprietary

Proprietary grade knotty cedar siding

Graded to the manufacturer’s specifications to meet the intended end use. Boards often represent good value in the no-hole product range. Consult manufacturers for grade descriptions and nomenclature.

Available in Board & Batten, Tongue & Groove, Lap/Channel Cladding Patterns and Trim Boards

 

Standard and Better

standard or better grade cedar siding

Suitable for exterior construction. Occasional pieces may require trimming to yield suitable quality for the intended end use. Typically supplies as S1S2E products. S4S products may require special ordering.

Available in Board & Batten, Tongue & Groove, Lap/Channel Cladding Patterns and Trim Boards

 

Rustic

Rustic-Grade-Bevel-Siding

Rustic grade cladding is recommended for use as sidewall covering where the distinctive charm of a rustic saw textured appearance is desired. This grade allows limited characteristics that do not detract from serviceability.Available solid wood or finger-joined.

Available in Bevel Cladding Pattern only.

 

Select Knotty*

Select Knotty Cedar Siding

Knots and other natural features define the visual character of knotty cladding. In Select Knotty grade, knots are sound and tight. Available rough or dressed, kiln-dried or unseasoned and smooth or saw textured. Some companies may supply this grade with knots glued on the reverse face.

Common specifications are Select Knotty with a percentage of Quality Knotty allowed.

Available in Bevel, Board & Batten, Tongue & Groove, Lap/Channel Cladding Patterns and Trim Boards

Architect Knotty®

Architect Knotty Cedar Siding

This product is intended to be fully usable with the resawn face exposed after trimming to fit the stud wall spacing. Contains no open characteristics or through defects. The product allows the use of adhesives on the reverse face to secure knots. Architect Knotty® is particularly well suited for factory priming or finishing. Supplied kiln-dried.Architect Knotty® is a registered trademark of the WRCLA

Available in Bevel Cladding Pattern only.

Grading Rules

Western Red Cedar Cladding Grading Rule Paragraph

Clear V.G. Heart

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Bevel201a106-aa22.11

Clear Heart

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Board & Batten200a102-b20.11
Tongue & Groove
Lap/Channel
Trim Boards

A Clear

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Bevel201b/201c106-a20.12
Board & Batten200b102-c20.12
Lap/Channel
Trim Boards
Tongue & Groove200b/200c102-c20.12

 

C and Better Clear

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Board & Batten202b/202c/202d149-b/149-c/149-d10.11/10.12/10.13
Trim Boards202b/202c149-b/149-c10.11/10.12

Proprietary

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Board & BattenProprietaryProprietaryProprietary
Tongue & Groove
Lap/Channel
Trim Boards

 

Standard and Better

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Board & Batten114a/114b/114c118a/118b/118cNA
Tongue & Groove
Lap/Channel
Trim Boards114a/114b/114c118a/118b/118c30,50(118a,b,c)

Rustic

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Bevel201dNANA

Select Knotty*

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
Bevel205a111-eNA
Board & Batten204a/204b111-e/111-fNA
Tongue & Groove204a111-eNA
Lap/Channel
Trim Boards

Architect Knotty®

NLGAWCLIBWWPA
BevelProprietaryProprietaryProprietary

NLGA – National Lumber Grades Authority
WCLIB – West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
WWPA – Western Wood Products Association

© 2026 All rights reserved
Gatsby Website Development by Jambaree

Image Gallery