Redwood

Redwood is a lightweight softwood with natural decay resistance and a warm red-brown color that is hard to find in any other species. Old-growth heartwood carries high durability, while second-growth material offers moderate resistance. SENTIENT uses redwood for outdoor applications where clients want a lighter-weight alternative to dense tropical hardwoods like ipe or teak.

Characteristics

Sequoia sempervirens (Cupressaceae), a Softwood (gymnosperm). Also known as Coast redwood, California redwood.

Heartwood ranges from light pinkish brown to deep reddish brown, a color palette that is distinctive and immediately recognizable. The sapwood is pale white to yellow and clearly demarcated. Grain is generally straight with a coarse texture and low natural luster. Figured pieces with curly grain or burl, sometimes called redwood lace or vavona, are occasionally available and highly prized for decorative work.

Indoors, redwood is used for architectural woodwork, accent features, paneling, and decorative applications where the warm red-brown color is the primary draw. Outdoor suitability: siding, decking, outdoor furniture, and exterior trim, performing well in exposed conditions thanks to natural extractives in the heartwood. lightweight outdoor-capable softwood with a warm red-brown palette, chosen when clients want natural weather resistance without the weight of dense tropical hardwoods.

Performance and Strength

Redwood is easy to work with both hand tools and machinery, though planer tearout can occur on figured pieces with curly or irregular grain. The wood glues and finishes well. With a Janka hardness of just 450 lbf, redwood is soft enough to dent under concentrated impact, so it works better in applications where visual warmth and weather resistance matter more than surface hardness. The species is exceptionally dimensionally stable, with a volumetric shrinkage of only 6.9%, meaning it shrinks and swells less than most other outdoor-capable woods.

Property	Value	What It Means
Janka hardness	450 lbf	Soft enough to dent under concentrated impact
Specific gravity	0.42	Light in weight, easy to maneuver in large sections
Volumetric shrinkage	6.9%	Excellent dimensional stability for both interior and exterior
Decay resistance	Moderate to high	Natural extractives help it perform outdoors better than many softwoods

Where It Comes From

Coast redwood grows in a narrow strip along the Pacific coast, from southwestern Oregon to central California, where heavy rainfall and cool, damp air create the specific conditions these trees need. All commercial redwood lumber comes from California. The species is on the IUCN Red List as endangered due to historical logging of old-growth stands, so sourcing practices and supplier reputation matter.

Typical harvest age: Coast redwood is the tallest tree species on Earth, capable of reaching nearly 400 feet. Commercial harvest today comes primarily from managed second-growth forests, with old-growth lumber becoming increasingly rare and expensive.

We source redwood from California suppliers who can specify whether the material is old-growth or second-growth, an important distinction since decay resistance differs significantly between the two.

Cutting and Drying

Redwood is sawn into boards, beams, posts, and dimension stock for both structural and furniture applications. The wood is stable after drying, with minimal seasonal movement. For outdoor furniture pieces, we follow our standard drying protocol: air-dried up to 18 months, then kiln-dried for 3 months to bring moisture content to stable levels before fabrication.

Recommended Finishes

Exterior stains: Matched to exposure conditions for outdoor use.
Water-based clear: For indoor woodwork. Higher gloss highlights imperfections.
Lacquer: Polished film for indoor applications.

For outdoor use, exterior stains matched to the exposure conditions provide the best protection while preserving the wood’s warm color. UV-protective oils slow the natural graying process. For indoor applications, water-based clear finishes maintain a clean look, though higher gloss levels can highlight surface imperfections in this soft species. Lacquer works well for polished indoor surfaces where the reddish tones are the design focus.

Browse all options in our finishes guide.

Care and Maintenance

Daily Care

Dust with a soft, dry cloth or microfiber.
For routine cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth, then wipe dry.
Avoid abrasive sponges and harsh chemical cleaners, especially ammonia-based or silicone-containing products.
Wipe spills promptly. Use coasters and trivets for heat and water protection.

Environment

Maintain indoor humidity around 40 to 60 percent to reduce seasonal movement in solid wood.
Avoid placing the piece near heating vents, fireplaces, or prolonged direct sunlight.

Maintenance Schedule

Oil-finished surfaces: Refresh (clean, lightly abrade if needed, reapply oil) once or twice per year depending on use.
Film-finished surfaces (water-based clear, polyurethane, lacquer): Clean gently. Refinish generally only after visible wear or damage.

Repair

Oil systems: Minor scratches can often be blended by light sanding and re-oiling.
Film systems: Small scratches may be spot-repaired. Deeper damage may require sanding and refinishing the affected area.

Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor exposure increases stress on finishes.
If maintaining original color: plan periodic UV-protective oiling (often annually). Otherwise, allow natural silvering and focus on cleaning and inspection.
Avoid pressure washing. High-pressure water can erode surface fibers, increase splintering, and shorten finish life.

For more details, see our care and maintenance FAQ.

Sources

USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 2: Redwood properties and durability

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