Cedar-lined closets add aesthetic pleasure and protection from pests.
Cedar closets can be stylish, fragrant---and even help protect your clothing from destructive moths. The pretty, aromatic wood is infused with essential oils; closets lined in it can be lovely to behold. They can also be pricey and somewhat difficult to install. Forewarned is forearmed: know the advantages and drawbacks ahead of time, and you'll be prepared for both the pleasing qualities and the limitations of a cedar closet. Does this Spark an idea?
Plan Ahead to Install
Cedar closets are best built into new constructions; adding cedar panels later is more difficult than installing a cedar closet from the outset. In new construction, cedar planks can be installed without the door trim, floorboards and shelving brackets that will make cedar panel installation a headache in an existing closet.
If you plan to build a cedar closet in the basement, you'll need to first install a vapor barrier to protect the cedar from bare concrete walls.
Cedar Can Be Expensive
The use of cedar in commercial buildings and homes has dwindled; cedar is now considered a specialty item and is priced accordingly. Avoid sticker shock by researching prices before laying out plans for installing the closet. Solid cedar planking can run upward of $23 per bundle, depending upon the market area; one of these bundles is sufficient to cover 15 square feet. Fragrant cedar veneer plywood is available for about $2.50 less per square foot; an even cheaper cedar flake board alternative also exists, but may not be as aesthetically pleasing.
Be Mindful of Moths
While cedar can certainly serve as a deterrent for pests, it may be best not to rely on it as your only line of defense for your clothes. The potency of cedar lumber fragrance will dissipate over time (though sanding can help prolong the life of the aroma), and maintaining pesticide-levels of the cedar oils could present health concerns. Cedar trunks (designed to remain closed) prevent moths, but are inherently different from closets in both design and function. In other words, cedar closets are insect-repellent, but not insect-proof. Safeguard your clothes in garment bags and plastic storage containers to be sure no pests can access them while they're stored in the closet.
Different Types of Cedar Exist
If pest-repellent effects are to be had, they come from aromatic red cedar, also known as Eastern red cedar. This wood should smell like the wood shavings often found filling gerbil or hamster cages. Western red cedar, also commonly available on the lumber market, does not repel moths.
However, if you suffer from allergies or other respiratory problems, or find the scent of cedar overwhelming, other wood closet liners may represent a better choice.
Tags: cedar closet, cedar also, Cedar closets, your clothes