When the time came to construct my deck, I knew that either redwood or cedar would be used. I wanted something that would stand out in my backyard for a very long time. But I needed to know about cedar vs. redwood for decking (and fencing) – which is better?.
While many people won’t be able to find redwood lumber locally, cedar is widely accessible. The hues differ, with redwood being darker and less stain-resistant. Redwood is more durable, but the cost is around 20% more expensive, on average, than cedar Redwood may be a slightly superior wood, but cedar prevails due to its affordability and ease of access.
Much of the debate around cedar vs. redwood centers on personal preference. Since each has such a unique appearance, it makes more sense to buy a product that matches your vision for your deck rather than one that is merely “better.”
Having said that, each kind of lumber has benefits and drawbacks. We’ll go over each point in detail to explain why redwood or cedar is superior, so you can decide which type of decking is best for you.
When it comes to decking materials, there is, in my opinion, no comparison. But that’s just me – I like weird stuff. I learned how to build decks using pressure-treated decking, so it’s understandable why I adore this material so much. It is inexpensive, simple to install, and requires little effort to maintain.
That was the last thing I said before I got smacked in the face: “You want to touch my deck?” Never again use that as a pick-up line, note to self Using your deck as a pick-up line is probably a bad idea (adding “does this rag smell like chloroform?” is also not advised). Despite offensive pick-up lines, a deck is a great place to meet women, host a barbecue with friends, or just spend some alone time practicing pick-up lines. What kind of material to use when building a deck is one of the first things to think about. While many choose synthetic deck materials, they frequently fall short of replicating the appearance and feel of real wood. Redwood and pressure-treated wood are two of the more popular types of real wood decking that are covered in this article.
She turned me on to a study headed by the good doctor Elaine Oneil, executive director of the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM). The study (The Comparative Life-Cycle Assessment of California Redwood Decking) compares other decking materials to redwood. This ten page study is chock full of info on this great decking material. While it is a bit technical and lengthy, the gist of it is this:
I can’t say I know a whole lot about this material, but I have used it on occasion here in Florida (as well as magnolia, ipe and a host of composites). So I did a little detective work and got into contact with the good people over at the California Redwood Association. Their kind PR leader (Rachel) helped me find out all about the fancy red stuff.
Overall, I think pressure-treated decking is more affordable than redwood, but I still adore the way redwood looks. What is your preferred decking material? Share your thoughts in the comments section below about your redwood/yellow pine decking experiences.
Pressure-treated wood would be preferable if you plan to stain it. It should be used for any structural members, they told me, because it is stronger. If it comes into contact with the ground, it will also last longer. Redwood and Cedar have better initial appearances, but both deteriorate over time.
I would recommend applying pressure treatment to the framing, posts, etc. since you get good strength and the materials will last for a long time, unless they are extremely visible. Spend the money and purchase high-quality wood for your deck, but keep in mind that you will need to perform maintenance on it regardless of the type of decking you use. For example, I’ve seen a lot of pressure-treated decks where the wood is structurally sound but gray and split.
-Get proper sealer. Use the Sikkens product, which is designed for new wood, for the first year. Subsequently, use the Dekswood sealer with UV protection. Dekswood is not recommended for new wood. Redwood must be sealed against deterioration. Avoid leaving items, like plant pots, that can collect water on the surface of redwood for an extended period of time.
According to what I understand, redwood lasts MUCH longer than pressure-treated wood or cedar and looks nicer. Four years ago, we had a cedar deck built, and it still looks decent. Now that we’re moving, we want to build a redwood deck there, and the cost isn’t all that much higher. Some neighbors have redwood decks, really nice. Are you planning to do the work yourself?.
Redwood vs. pressure treated vs. cedar seems to vary with geographic location. In Colorado, most decks are redwood. However, I’ve noticed that most decks in WI and NY are not made of redwood. Not sure what the motivation is. Climate related? Proximity to the lumber mill??.
How Long Does Redwood Last?
Under the right conditions, a redwood can last up to 30 years or more if it is properly maintained. It will be remembered as the most fire-resistant decking material on the market.
Redwood is a remarkable deck building material in almost every way. Without the use of protective chemicals, this wood is very stable and has excellent resistance to insects and weathering.
You’ll notice that your redwood initially turns black before turning silver-gray if you decide to leave it unfurnished. In contrast to pressure-treated wood, which cups and warps, this wood is stable and does not.