Question about Cedar Beams

[Kevin]

First of all, thanks for all the comments about the house remodel. If I may pick your brain about something it seems to bother me. These cedar beams, pictured below. They are going to be used for a outdoor roof extension. The two largest beams have some pretty significant cracks in them. I don't know if it's normal or not. I don't really like them and the cedar supply company has a 15 day return policy. They were delivered on Thursday. Everyone is trying to tell me it's normal and don't worry about it. I say, yes, cedar will crack, but these cracks will only get larger and why start with an inferior product?

What do y'all think? Am I worried about nothing? These are both 8 inches by 12 inches and 14 feet and 18 feet long. It's hard to tell how far up the crack is in the beam because they are sandwiched together.

These are some close up pictures of the ends.

 

[rugerjunkie]

My opinion for what it's worth...if they are basically cosmetic fine , but if they are structural take em back and get something better than cedar.

 

[blume357]

I was thinking just the opposite.... that structurally they are fine and really the looks are a matter of taste... i think the side cracks are part of the look.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

The reason they are cracking so bad is because they are heart cut.
Meaning they are from the center of the tree.
Logs crack from the center out.
The reason so many beams and lumber are heart cut is because there are not many big trees left to get good lumber out of.
Take them back and tell them you want beams that are not heart cut.
They are not only going to crack , they are going to twist and warp also.
I would never use those on one of my jobs.
I have sent truck loads of lumber back because it was all heart cut.

 

[GunnyGene]

Looks like the mill tried to dry them too fast. You can't just throw wood into a kiln and turn up the heat. Or they left them out in that hot Texas summer sun. Normally, cedar will air dry (if kept in the shade) at a rate of about 3 weeks per inch of thickness. If the cut ends are not protected with roofing tar or similar while it's drying they will develop significant cracking, since drying occurs most quickly from the end grain which results in a variety of stresses from the uneven drying, that cause the checking/cracks.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

It's the nature of cedar to crack. Goes back to whether they are structural or for appearance. If the cracks are a big deal to you now, it's only going to get worse so now is the time to deal with it if you don't like it. If it bothers you I'd use glulams. Probably can get by with smaller ones if they are for a load. The other choice is Doug Fir which is also stronger than cedar. My guess is they selected cedar for appearance. Your architects probably have an engineer on staff than can help you out if it's part of the design. Just looking at the ends, it's hard to say.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks! They are for structural support.

These two biggest pieces go lengthwise out from the house and then some smaller beams are the rafters, I guess you'd call them.

The rest of the beams all look all right, it's just these two. I haven't heard if they will get returned or not, I'll find out tomorrow. I did ask them about returning them, I think they hesitated is because it's just more work for them.

Thank you all very much. This is some great information.