There’s a reason thick clear cedar bench boards cost what they do: the supply of knot-free, straight-grained Western Red Cedar at this dimension has tightened considerably over the past decade. This isn’t a complaint, it’s context.
Western Red Cedar 2×4 VG S4SEE is 1.5″ thick (1.5 in) and 3.5″ wide (3.5 in), clear vertical grain, knot-free A+ grade. Surfaced four sides, two eased edges. Milled in Canada. Available in 1, 4, 5, 8, and 10 ft lengths, which gives you good flexibility for both short bench runs and longer single-board spans.
Why Cedar (and the honest part)
Clear VG cedar at 2×4 means you get the depth of a thick bench board, a completely knot-free face, and the cedar aroma at full strength when the room heats up. The natural oils handle moisture and resist decay without any finish or treatment. For the builder who has been planning a cedar sauna for years, this is the board to do it right.
We’d also say this: good clear cedar runs about 3x the price of thermo-aspen per linear foot, and thermo-aspen holds its dimensions better through the heat-and-cool cycle. Over time, untreated cedar can develop small gaps as boards move. It also runs warmer to the touch than aspen at full heat, which is something you notice when you sit down. We carry thermo-aspen because we think it’s the better technical choice for most buyers. We carry clear VG cedar because some rooms call for the real thing and we want to have a grade worth carrying when that’s the decision.
Specifications
- Species: Western Red Cedar
- Grade: VG (Vertical Grain, clear A+, knot-free)
- Profile: S4SEE (surfaced four sides, two eased edges)
- Thickness: 1.5″
- Width: 3.5″
- Available lengths: 1, 4, 5, 8, 10 ft
- MAP: $14.82 per linear foot
- Made in: Canada
Where it goes
Benches and backrests. The 2×4 thickness makes it a natural choice for a two-tier bench where the top seat needs to handle real load. Pair it with cedar cladding on the walls for a full cedar build. If you want the cedar scent on the walls but cooler benches, pair with thermo-aspen or aspen bench stock for the seating surfaces.
Shipping and samples
Sold by the linear foot. Flat $795 shipping to the continental US, or free with a heater order. Free samples available: text your name and address to (844) 565-1113.
Call Ben² at (844) 565-1113 if you’d like to talk through the board count before you order.
Prebuilt
Sauna Brushes
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