Is cedar wood expensive?

Cedar is moderately expensive compared to other construction lumber. Western Red Cedar costs $4-8 per board foot for standard grades and $8-15 per board foot for premium clear grades. This is roughly 50-100% more than pressure-treated pine but less than premium hardwoods like walnut or cherry.

How long does cedar wood last outdoors?

Cedar heartwood lasts 20-30 years in outdoor above-ground applications like fences and siding without any chemical treatment. Cedar fence posts (ground contact) typically last 15-20 years. With proper maintenance and finishing, cedar structures can last even longer.

What is the difference between Western Red Cedar and Eastern Red Cedar?

Western Red Cedar is a true cedar (Thuja plicata) primarily used for construction, fencing, and siding. Eastern Red Cedar is actually a juniper (Juniperus virginiana) known for its intense aromatic scent and deep reddish-purple color, used mainly for closet linings and decorative woodworking. Western Red is softer (350 vs 900 Janka) and lighter.

Does cedar need to be sealed or stained?

Cedar does not need to be sealed or stained for durability since its natural oils resist rot. However, unfinished cedar will weather to a silver-gray color over time. If you want to maintain the original reddish-brown color, apply a UV-protective penetrating oil or semi-transparent stain every 2-3 years.

Is cedar wood good for raised garden beds?

Yes, cedar is one of the best woods for raised garden beds. It resists rot naturally without chemical treatment, making it safe for growing food. Cedar raised beds typically last 10-15 years. Western Red Cedar and Northern White Cedar are both excellent choices for garden bed construction.

Article

Woodworking & Lumber

Cedar Wood: Complete Guide to Types, Uses, Pros & Cons (2026)

Lumberama Editorial Team Jun 9, 2026 14 min read

Cedar Wood: Complete Guide to Types, Uses, Pros & Cons

Cedar is one of the most versatile and beloved wood species in North America. Its natural beauty, aromatic scent, and built-in resistance to rot, insects, and moisture make it a premium choice for everything from fence boards and deck planks to closet liners and furniture. But not all cedar is the same. This guide covers the major cedar species, their properties, best uses, and how to get the most value from this exceptional wood.

Types of Cedar Wood

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is the most commercially important and widely used cedar species. Harvested primarily in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, Western Red Cedar is the species most people mean when they simply say "cedar."

Key properties include a Janka hardness of 350 lbf (soft and easy to work), density of 23 pounds per cubic foot, heartwood color ranging from reddish-brown to pinkish-tan with darker streaks, and outstanding natural durability. The heartwood contains thujaplicins, natural compounds that resist fungal decay, insect damage, and moisture penetration.

Western Red Cedar is the top choice for fence boards, deck boards, siding and shingles, pergola and arbor construction, outdoor furniture, and tongue and groove ceiling installations.

Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is actually a juniper, not a true cedar. It grows throughout eastern North America and is prized for its deep reddish-purple heartwood, intense aromatic scent, and natural moth-repelling properties.

Eastern Red Cedar has a Janka hardness of 900 lbf (much harder than Western Red Cedar), making it durable for applications where hardness matters. It is the traditional choice for cedar closet linings, hope chests, pencils, and decorative woodworking.

White Cedar (Northern and Atlantic)

Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) grows throughout the northeastern United States and Canada. It is lighter in color than Western Red Cedar, extremely lightweight, and has excellent rot resistance. Its primary uses include log cabin construction, fence posts (can last 25+ years in ground contact), canoe and boat building, and rustic furniture.

Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) grows in coastal swamp areas of the eastern United States. It was historically used for boat building, shingles, and fence posts.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar

Alaskan Yellow Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) is the hardest and most durable of the true cedars, with a Janka rating of 580 lbf. Its tight, even grain and excellent dimensional stability make it popular for boat building, high-end exterior trim, and applications where superior durability is needed. It is also significantly more expensive than Western Red Cedar.

Cedar Wood Properties

|----------|------------|-------------|----------------|----------------|

| Janka Hardness | 350 lbf | 900 lbf | 320 lbf | 580 lbf |

| Density (lb/cu ft) | 23 | 33 | 22 | 31 |

| Common Cost/BF | $4-8 | $5-10 | $4-7 | $8-15 |

Use our Board Foot Calculator to estimate how much cedar lumber you need for your project.

Pros of Cedar Wood

Cedar's natural durability is its biggest advantage. The heartwood contains extractive compounds that resist fungal decay without chemical treatment, making it safe for gardens, food-contact applications, and homes with chemical sensitivities. This natural rot resistance means cedar fences last 20 to 30 years and cedar siding can last 30 to 40 years with minimal maintenance.

Cedar is remarkably lightweight. At 23 pounds per cubic foot, Western Red Cedar is one of the lightest commercial softwoods, making it easy to handle, transport, and install, especially for overhead applications like ceiling planking.

Cedar has exceptional dimensional stability. It shrinks and swells less with moisture changes than most other species, meaning cedar boards stay flat and straight over time. This makes it ideal for exterior applications where wood experiences constant wet-dry cycles.

Cedar accepts finishes beautifully. Its open grain absorbs stains, oils, and paints evenly, producing rich, consistent color. See our deck stain guide for finishing recommendations.

Cons of Cedar Wood

Cedar is soft. With a Janka hardness of only 350 lbf, Western Red Cedar dents and scratches easily. It is not a good choice for high-traffic flooring or surfaces that take physical abuse.

Cedar costs more than pressure-treated pine. Cedar fence boards typically cost 50 to 100 percent more than equivalent pressure-treated pine boards. However, cedar's longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs often make it more economical over time.

Cedar sapwood is not durable. Only the darker heartwood has rot resistance. The lighter sapwood at the outer edges of the log has minimal natural durability and should be avoided for ground-contact or high-moisture applications.

Cedar can cause skin irritation. The same oils that make cedar rot-resistant can irritate skin and airways in some people. Wear gloves and a dust mask when cutting and sanding cedar.

Cedar Board Sizes and Pricing

Cedar lumber is available in all standard dimensional sizes. Common cedar board sizes include 1x4, 1x6, 1x8 (for fence boards, siding, and paneling), 2x4, 2x6, 2x8 (for framing, railings, and structural), 4x4 and 6x6 (for fence posts, pergola posts), and 5/4x6 (for deck boards).

Cedar pricing varies by grade, region, and market conditions. As of 2026, expect to pay $4 to $8 per board foot for standard grades of Western Red Cedar. Premium clear (knot-free) cedar commands $8 to $15 per board foot. Check our wood species guide for current pricing ranges on all cedar varieties.

How to Maintain Cedar

Left unfinished, cedar naturally weathers to a silver-gray patina. Many homeowners prefer this weathered look, especially on fences and siding. If you prefer to maintain cedar's original color, apply a UV-protective penetrating oil or semi-transparent stain every 2 to 3 years.

For detailed finishing techniques, see our guides on how to stain wood and wood stain colors. For cedar deck maintenance, check our deck stain guide.

Never paint cedar with a solid paint unless you are committed to repainting every 5 to 7 years. Cedar's natural oils can cause paint adhesion issues, and peeling paint on cedar is notoriously difficult to remedy.