Currently I have cedar panel siding that is 50 years old and am going to replace it. Looking at getting either eastern red cedar or western red cedar. Talking to the mill in northern Missouri, sounded like eastern red cedar is more bug resistant, also more longevity to it. Anyone have any experience with eastern red cedar siding or houses?

Red cedar is red cedar... or so I thought?

You'll be dead before it matters ....both are good choices


https://cedarshakesroofcleaning.com/western-red-cedar-vs-eastern-red-cedar/

I would vote for the Eastern Red Cedar.

Also be aware Western is highly susceptible to attack by carpenter bees. Eastern not so much.

Here is a link to where I have purchased bulk quantities of E. Red Cedar.

Can't say much about there web page but they are good people to deal with /www.cedarusa.com/index.htm

We had cedar on our home and evidently it wasn’t cured long enough and warped and split that was 7 years ago we put it on went with sheet iron this time looks great and will outlast me and my bride and it gave us a rustic look to our house

As AntiGov said, I'm sure either will outlast you. Eastern Red Cedar is not a true cedar but rather a juniper, it does have the same desirable qualities. My house still has the original western red cedar siding on it and the house is over 70 years old, the siding is still in good shape.

Western Red here in the sunny south is known for a few things not the least of which is falling off the southern exposure after a few years. Not at all UV resistant.

They are also magnets for carpenter bees and woodpeckers of all types then squirrels.

We don't use Eastern Red for much on the exterior save for rustic porch posts and railings. Mainly because they don't grow big enough for siding. We do see some spending extra to line their closets with Eastern Red t&g.

painted and hail damage is a big thing
check your house insurance as there will be an increased cost with it

Thanks for the thoughts, sounds like it's a personal choice type of thing and both are great choices.

My house in WV is Eastern Red Cedar. When we sided it over 20 years ago I went to the Oil Well on the mountain behind the barn and got some and put it in a garden sprayer and sprayed the whole thing down. After about a month it cured aired out and gave it a beautiful glossy shine and Tint. AND you never have to worry about bugs.