Cedar and redwood decking prices range from about $3 to $5 per square foot.

How much does cedar cost per foot?

Cedar Decking Prices Cedar boards range from $4 to $9 per linear foot.

How much more is cedar than pressure-treated?

On average, cedar deck planks cost between $3 and $7 per square foot, while regular pressure-treated lumber costs between $2 and $5 per square foot. In general, cedar costs about 20% to 30% more than pressure-treated lumber.

Is cedar wood expensive?

Cost- Just like composite, cedar can be much more expensive than other wood. Fades to a weathered grey over the years, which can be a drawback to some people.

Is cedar cheaper than pressure-treated?

Cedar is also soft; when used for stairs or for decks where furniture gets dragged around a lot, the edges in particular can get beat up. Finally, the cost of the cedar is moderate, more than pressure-treated but somewhat less than composite.

Why is cedar lumber so expensive?

You may have been surprised by the recent and/or impending price increases on Western Red Cedar lately. This has been caused by a large trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. that has been going on since the 80’s on all softwoods imported from Canada.

How much does cedar cost?

Clear Cedar Decking Prices Clear cedar ranges from $5 to $7 per linear foot. Clear cedar is graded to be nearly free of knots. Wood completely free of knots would be difficult to find and quite expensive. Clear cedar costs more than knotty cedar ($4 to $8 per linear foot), but the latter gives decks a more rustic look.

How long will cedar last?

In outdoor structures that are not in contact with the ground, such as decks, gazebos, pergolas and fence boards, cedar may last 30 years or longer. When in contact with the ground, such as when it’s used for fence or support posts, it can last between 15 and 20 years.

Is cedar or pine more expensive?

Cedar is generally more expensive than pressure-treated pine. The reasons behind this are that cedar is rarer, more resistant, and generally considered more attractive. … For a cedar fence, the price goes up to around $20 to $35 per linear foot 1, which also includes material and installation costs.

What is cheaper redwood or cedar?

Cost. In general, redwood fencing will be more expensive than cedar due to the relative scarcity of the redwood tree. This is especially true when it comes to wider versus narrow fence boards. White cedar is the most expensive of the three cedar varieties, while red is the most affordable.

Article first time published on

Do I need to seal cedar?

Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. … If you’re using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.

Why is red cedar so expensive?

Western Red Cedar wood is considered the most valuable of all softwoods because of its fine, straight grain, color, flexibility and strength in proportion to weight, however, the most important property of cedar wood is its high impermeability to liquids and its natural phenol preservatives, which make it ideally …

Is Cedar good for ground contact?

cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. It’s highly resistant to insect attack and rot, and special versions rated for “ground contact” can be buried in soil and will continue to shrug off decay for decades.

Is cedar wood strong?

Cedar is durable and strong– Western Red Cedar is lightweight but stable and is less likely to crack and warp than even treated lumber.

What is clear cedar?

Clear Cedar refers to A & Better Cedar and is free of almost all knots, but it isn’t 100% free of knots. If you want Cedar that’s 100% free of knots, which is difficult to find and costly, then you would need Clear Vertical Grain Cedar. Knotty or STK stands for Select Tight Knots.

Is Cedar Wood toxic?

There are actually two type of trees commonly called Redcedars. The Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata) and Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), also known as aromatic Cedar. Caution- Eastern Red Cedar is actually quite toxic if ingested.

Will lumber prices drop in 2021?

Lumber will be strong through 2021 and this drop in lumber prices is great news for homebuilders and real estate developers alike if they choose to take advantage of their low rates now.

Why are lumber prices so high 2021?

Home prices are soaring, pushed higher by a combination of record-low mortgage rates, strong demand from buyers and a lingering lack of new construction. … In 2021, a new factor put pressure on home prices: Month after month, lumber prices jumped to new highs.

How long do cedar pickets last?

Average Life of a Cedar Fence Fences made of untreated cedar can last between 15 and 30 years, depending on how well you care for it and the specific cedar species used. If it’s treated, a cedar fence may last up to 40 years.

Can you stain cedar?

Staining the cedar is the absolute best way to ensure this, especially in areas that have four-season climates. Since Western Red Cedar naturally lacks pitch and resin, it allows for countless staining options and will accept stain very well if applied correctly.

Is cedar more expensive than treated wood?

Price – Cedar can cost about twice as much as pressure-treated wood. Softness – Cedar is a soft wood. Over time, high traffic areas such as the stairs will wear down.

Does cedar wood hold up outside?

Cedar. Cedar is soft, light, and easy to work with. A drawback of working with cedar is the fact that it has poor screw-holding capabilities because of the overall softness of the wood. Although, it does make good outdoor furniture because it’s rot, termite, and Powder Beetle resistant.

How long does cedar wood last untreated?

Lifespan with Zero Maintenance The cedar’s natural defenses towards rotting will be diminished, which will reduces the lifespan of an unmaintained deck to 10 to 15 years.

Does cedar wood last outside?

Because of its strength, cedar furniture can last for around 30 years. … For outdoor use, cedar furniture is widely viewed as a good choice. Less expensive than teak and lighter than oak, cedar possesses many major advantages that make it suitable for outdoor placement.

Which lasts longer redwood or cedar?

Redwood is a harder wood than cedar. … Because it is a harder wood it will last longer and is more durable. Redwood has more natural occurring chemicals than cedar. This protects the wood so less maintenance is required over time.

Which is more rot resistant redwood or cedar?

Redwood and cedar naturally contain tannin (a chemical that gives the products their color), which keeps the wood insect resistant. Since Californian redwood has a higher level of tannin, it could be more rot resistant than cedar.

What wood is better cedar or redwood?

Redwood is measurably stronger than cedar – by about 23%. Redwood is therefore more durable than cedar.

Can you leave cedar untreated?

If you leave cedar wood untreated, it will not succumb to the devastating effects of mold, rot and insect damage. However, it will lose its typically golden-brown color. … However, even with the proper maintenance, cedar will eventually succumb to fading—usually after about 10 years—and lose its natural tone for good.

How do you keep cedar from turning GREY?

To prevent cedar from fading to gray, you need to seal cedar fence with a stain that blocks ultraviolet light and contains a mildewcide, according to Family Handyman.

Is Thompson's water Seal good for cedar?

A new Waterproofing Stain from industry leader Thompson’s WaterSeal can not only protect your deck from further damage, but also add rich, beautiful color. … Choose from five popular colors: Acorn Brown, Harvest Gold, Maple Brown, Sequoia Red or Woodland Cedar.

Is cedar stronger than pine?

The Janka scale ranks all wood for hardness, with a higher number correlating with a harder wood. The rating for white pine, one of the most common varieties, is 420. Yellow pine earns an 870, while cedar comes in at an even 900.