Yew vs. Redwood for Siding - What is The Difference?

Yew offers exceptional durability and natural resistance to decay, making it a premium choice for siding in harsh climates. Redwood features superior weather resistance and dimensional stability, providing long-lasting protection with minimal maintenance.

Table of Comparison

Introduction: Comparing Yew and Redwood for Siding

Yew and Redwood are popular choices for exterior siding due to their durability and natural resistance to decay. Yew offers tight grain patterns and rich color variations, making it aesthetically appealing for traditional and modern homes. Redwood is prized for its exceptional strength, stability, and natural resistance to moisture, insects, and rot, providing long-lasting protection with minimal maintenance.

Wood Characteristics: Yew vs Redwood

Yew wood features a fine grain with a smooth texture and yellowish to reddish-brown color, known for its durability and moderate resistance to decay, making it suitable for siding in moderate climates. Redwood offers a coarse grain with a rich reddish hue and high natural tannin content, providing excellent resistance to moisture, insects, and rot, ideal for exterior siding in damp environments. Both woods provide appealing aesthetics and longevity, but redwood's superior decay resistance and dimensional stability give it an edge in harsher weather conditions.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Yew wood offers moderate durability and good resistance to rot, making it suitable for siding in temperate climates, but it may require regular maintenance to withstand harsh weather conditions. Redwood is renowned for its exceptional durability and natural resistance to decay, insects, and moisture, making it one of the best choices for siding exposed to varying weather elements. Redwood's stability and resistance to warping provide a longer-lasting exterior compared to yew, especially in regions with heavy rainfall or high humidity.

Aesthetic Appeal and Color Variations

Yew siding offers a rich, deep green hue that ages gracefully to a soft gray, providing a unique and elegant aesthetic unmatched by many woods. Redwood siding features a natural reddish-brown color that warms a structure's exterior and develops a silvery patina over time, enhancing its rustic charm. Both options vary in grain texture, with Yew showcasing fine, uniform patterns while Redwood displays bold, contrasting grain, influencing the overall visual appeal and architectural style.

Workability and Installation Differences

Yew siding offers superior workability due to its fine grain and moderate hardness, allowing easier cutting and shaping compared to Redwood's coarser texture and higher resin content, which can gum up tools. Installation of Yew is more straightforward as it holds nails securely without splitting, whereas Redwood requires pre-drilling in some cases to prevent splitting and ensure a tighter fit. The natural oils in Redwood provide resistance to decay but can complicate finishing processes, making Yew preferred for projects needing faster installation and smoother finishes.

Maintenance Requirements and Longevity

Yew siding offers moderate maintenance due to its moderate resistance to decay and insect damage, requiring periodic sealing or staining to maintain durability. Redwood siding is highly durable, naturally resistant to rot and pests, and typically needs less frequent maintenance, often only annual cleaning and occasional resealing. Redwood's longevity can exceed 50 years when properly maintained, while yew siding generally lasts around 20 to 30 years with consistent care.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Yew siding offers remarkable sustainability due to its slow growth and dense wood, which ensures durability and reduced need for replacement, minimizing environmental footprint. Redwood, sourced from sustainable forests, is prized for its natural resistance to decay and insects, contributing to a longer lifespan and less frequent maintenance in siding applications. Both woods provide eco-friendly choices, but redwood's faster growth rate and established certification programs often make it a more sustainable option for environmentally conscious siding projects.

Cost Comparison: Yew vs Redwood

Yew siding typically costs between $8 and $12 per square foot, making it a mid-range option known for its durability and rich color. Redwood, priced around $10 to $15 per square foot, tends to be more expensive due to its natural resistance to decay and distinct grain patterns. When comparing overall expenses, Yew offers a more affordable alternative to Redwood while still delivering a high-quality aesthetic and long-lasting performance.

Common Applications and Architectural Styles

Yew siding is commonly used in traditional and cottage-style homes, prized for its fine grain and warm, reddish hues that complement classic and rustic architecture. Redwood siding, favored in craftsman and modern coastal designs, offers natural resistance to decay and a rich, deep color palette ideal for sustainable and contemporary aesthetics. Both woods suit vertical and horizontal siding applications, but redwood's durability makes it a preferred choice for exposed environments in architectural styles emphasizing natural materials.

Conclusion: Best Choice for Siding

Redwood offers superior natural resistance to decay and insect damage, making it an excellent choice for durable siding in varying climates. Yew, while attractive with its fine grain and rich color, lacks the same level of weather resistance and requires more maintenance to preserve its appearance. For long-lasting, low-maintenance siding that maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, redwood stands out as the best choice.