Blog
The beauty of Western Red Cedar
Every Northern Lights Hot Tub is built from Western Red Cedar, a species that has been valued for generations for its beauty, durability, and natural performance outdoors. While there are many types of wood available, Western Red Cedar has proven itself time and again as one of the best materials for traditional hot tubs.
It’s a material that not only looks beautiful when new but continues to perform year after year in changing weather conditions. This combination of craftsmanship, natural character, and durability is one of the reasons we’ve chosen to work exclusively with Western Red Cedar for over twenty years.
The story behind Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) grows naturally along the Pacific Coast of North America, particularly in British Columbia, Canada. In these cool, damp forests, the trees can reach impressive heights and live for centuries.
For generations, Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest referred to it as the “Tree of Life” because of its importance in everyday life. The wood was used for homes, canoes, tools, clothing, and ceremonial objects. Many historic carvings and totem poles made from Western Red Cedar still stand today, demonstrating the remarkable durability of the material.
Naturally suited for outdoor use
Many people are surprised to learn how well cedar performs in wet environments. The wood contains natural compounds that help protect it from moisture and deterioration.
In a traditional cedar hot tub, the wood expands when wet, which creates a natural seal without relying on plastic liners, adhesives, or synthetic materials. This allows a cedar hot tub to remain true to traditional craftsmanship while offering the durability needed for long-term outdoor use.
Excellent insulation properties
Western Red Cedar is also known for its natural insulating qualities. Its fibrous structure contains tiny air pockets that help retain heat while keeping the exterior comfortable to touch. This natural insulation contributes to an efficient and comfortable hot tub experience throughout the year.
The wood is also remarkably stable, meaning it resists excessive warping, cracking, and movement when exposed to changing temperatures and weather conditions.
A material that ages beautifully
The unmistakable aroma of cedar
A responsible choice
Why we choose Western Red Cedar
After more than twenty years of building cedar hot tubs, we’ve found that Western Red Cedar continues to offer the ideal combination of beauty, durability, insulation, and craftsmanship. It’s one of the reasons traditional cedar hot tubs have remained popular for generations and why we continue to build every Northern Lights Hot Tub from this remarkable material.
Every Northern Lights cedar hot tub is available in a range of models and sizes. Explore our options to find the one that’s right for you.
