Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens · softwood · California · low movement
- Janka hardness 480 lbfred oak ≈ 1,290 lbf
- Density ≈ 28 lb/ft³specific gravity 0.4 at 12% MC
- Shrinkage — tangential 4.4%flatsawn width, green → ovendry
- Shrinkage — radial 2.6%quartersawn width
- T/R ratio 1.7 : 1higher = more cupping in flatsawn stock
Shop notes Legendarily stable and rot-resistant — the reason old redwood decks outlive their fasteners. Soft and brittle; crisp edges need gentle handling.
Seasonal movement at a glance
Width change for redwood across a typical indoor year — 6% moisture content in the heated winter to 12% in a humid summer:
| Board width | Flatsawn | Quartersawn |
|---|---|---|
| 6″ | 1/16″ (0.057″) | 1/32″ (0.033″) |
| 12″ | 1/8″ (0.113″) | 1/16″ (0.067″) |
| 24″ | 7/32″ (0.226″) | 1/8″ (0.134″) |
| 36″ | 11/32″ (0.339″) | 3/16″ (0.201″) |
Run your own numbers
Different width, different climate swing — the calculator below is preset to redwood:
Typical swings:
Redwood questions
How much does redwood move with the seasons?
A 12″-wide flatsawn redwood board moves about 1/8″ across a typical indoor swing from 6% to 12% moisture content; quartersawn, about 1/16″. Its tangential shrinkage is 4.4% and radial 2.6% (green to ovendry) — a low-movement wood.
How hard is redwood?
Redwood rates about 480 lbf on the Janka scale — soft enough to dent in daily use (red oak is roughly 1,290 lbf). Density runs about 28 lb/ft³ at indoor moisture levels.
Is redwood good for wide panels and tabletops?
Yes, with normal precautions: its 1.7:1 tangential-to-radial ratio is moderate. Still fasten solid tops so they can move across their width.
Similar species
White Fir · Lodgepole Pine · White Spruce · Incense-Cedar · Grand Fir · Red Spruce
Shrinkage, specific gravity, and hardness from the Wood Handbook, FPL-GTR-282 (2021 edition), USDA Forest Products Laboratory (public domain). Values are species averages — individual boards vary with growth conditions and how they were dried.