Materials · Western red cedar
Cedar decks
Western red cedar is the classic West Coast deck: warm in colour, light underfoot and naturally resistant to rot. It's also the wood that rewards care the most. Kept oiled, it can look beautiful for years. Left alone, it greys and softens much sooner.
- Installed
- $50–85 per sq ft installed
- Lifespan here
- About 12–20 years
- Upkeep
- Oil or stain every 1–3 years
- Upkeep cost
- About $300–700 a year
Pros
What it does well
- Beautiful natural colour and grain
- Naturally rot-resistant heartwood
- Light and comfortable underfoot
- Grown in BC
Cons
What to weigh up
- Soft, so it dents and scratches
- Greys quickly without regular oiling
- Price moves with the lumber market
- Life depends heavily on upkeep
In our climate
Shade and rain are the real test
Cedar does best on sunny, open decks where it dries quickly after rain. Under tall trees or on north-facing decks it stays damp, grows mildew and moss and wears faster.
A semi-transparent cedar-toned stain every one to three years keeps the colour and protects the surface. The frame underneath is usually pressure-treated, so joist tape and good ledger flashing matter just as much as with any other deck.
Rough budget
A 300 sq ft low cedar deck
- Installed
- $15,000 – $25,500
- 10 years of upkeep
- $3,000 – $7,000
- 10-year total
- $18,000 – $32,500
Before railings, stairs, permits and GST. Raised decks cost more.
Price your own deck →Questions
Western red cedar questions
Does cedar rot?
Cedar heartwood is naturally rot-resistant, but it isn't rot-proof. Decks that stay damp under trees or without regular oiling wear much faster.
Why does cedar turn grey?
UV and weather break down the surface colour. A cedar-toned semi-transparent stain every one to three years keeps the warm colour.
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