What is the difference between Basswood and Western Red Cedar?

One of the most common questions asked by those looking at adding depth and style to their home is...

'What is the difference between Basswood and Western Red Cedar?"

When choosing window furnishings you need to understand the difference in the product, if it will look practical in your home and the end cost before you can really decide if the quote you have received is value for money.

Woods are a popular choice due to their texture, longevity and the many different colours and ultimate looks they can provide.

Woods fall into both soft and hard wood categories. Both have distinct benefits depending on your use for them and where in the home they are to be placed

Basswood is a 'hard wood' 100% timber. Proven to be extremely tough and hard wearing, hardwoods, and in particular Basswood is ideal for areas where children and animals play or high traffic areas being fairly resistant to marking or dinting. Hardwoods can be both stained and painted.

However, because of their density they tend to swell when the temperature is hot and contracts when the temperature is cooler. They are not the appropriate choice for windows that attract direct sunlight or windows in wet areas such as laundries, bathrooms or kitchens. Hardwoods are prone to cracking and splitting as a result of this temperature and environmental change.

Western Red Cedar is a 'soft wood' timber and is perfect for rooms that have both direct sunlight and high moisture areas. The wood density allows it to swell and contract according to the temperature without damaging the wood. Like Basswood, Cedar can also be stained or painted to suit your interior décor.

Whilst not as resilient as hardwoods to the 'ruff and scruff' of children and animals, treated correctly and looked after, softwoods such as Western Red Cedars add a certain style and class to a home where the warmth and depth of the wood is to be viewed as a feature and not just a practicality.

The exciting news is that both Basswood and Western Red Cedar make beautiful window furnishings used in the right settings. You can create your own unique and distinct style using these amazing woods. Whether it is the stain or the beautiful look of the natural timber you are after, you really can't go wrong with either Basswood or Western Red Cedar blinds purchased through Blinds Warehouse.