Is cedar better than pressure treated decking?

When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. 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.

What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?

Cons of Cedar

As a softer wood, cedar decking can be more easily scratched or dented by furniture and pet claws.

How long will an untreated cedar deck last?

Untreated, today's western red cedar decking will last 10 to 15 years. Regular cleaning and treating can extend that life to 20, or perhaps 25 years.

Is cedar decking worth the money?

Cedar is a fantastic choice for a deck building material because of its combination of unique properties. It is dimensionally stable, meaning that it lays flat and stays straight. Even grain and consistent density make it less likely to warp, cup or twist.

What is the best wood for decks?

Pressure-treated lumber is the best wood for outdoor decks when it comes to upfront costs because of its easy accessibility. However, pressure-treated lumber — and indeed, all types of traditional wood decking material — require the aforementioned rigorous, costly maintenance over time.

Is Cedar better than pressure treated?

What type of deck lasts the longest?

Traditional wood deck: Typically 10 to 15 years. Capped composite: Industry experts agree these boards can last 25 to 30+ years. Capped polymer (the best of the best): Because of its superior material composition, capped polymer boards can last much longer, potentially 50 years or more.

What is the longest lasting wood for a deck?

Ipe wood is the longest-lasting decking material thanks to its density. Your ipe wood deck could last up to 75 years. In comparison, pressure-treated wood may only last up to 15 years.

Does a cedar deck need to be sealed?

Sealing your deck will keep it safe from water damage, rot, and insects. Stain, on the other hand, enhances the deck's beauty while offering UV protection. Every two to three years, you will want to reseal and stain your cedar deck.

What is the best no maintenance deck material?

Composite Decking

It doesn't require any refinishing, sanding, or staining. So you get all the benefits of natural wood appearance, without the hassle of maintaining it. This is what makes composite decking the best low-maintenance deck material.

Does cedar rot when wet?

Properties. Western Red Cedar is one of the world's most durable woods, as it has a natural resistance to moisture, decay and insect damage.

Should you powerwash a cedar deck?

At minimum, use an all-purpose deck cleaner with a mild detergent to scrub the surface. Pressure washing isn't recommended on soft cedar because the high pressure can damage the wood and create large gouges. Pressure washing can also create a rough surface that will need to be sanded down.

Why is my cedar deck rotting?

Moisture and pooling water on decks can lead to rot and decay. Because dry rot is a fungus, it can spread like a cancer throughout a deck. Dry rot is caused by microorganisms that eat the cellulose from the wood leaving it brittle.

Is cedar decking slippery when wet?

For Your Wood Deck. Although they are beautiful in appearance, pressure-treated and natural wood decks can become dangerously slippery, especially in weather conditions like rain or snow. When pine, cedar, or redwood wood is wet, it has less traction and leads to slips, trips, and falls.

Can cedar be left untreated outside?

Happily, untreated cedar is already long-lasting and durable because it has some decay resistance, thanks to naturally occurring extractives originating from the tree's heartwood. “But these do have some water solubility,” says Paul Morris, a research leader for wood protection at FPInnovations in Vancouver.

What cedar is best for decks?

Overall, western red cedar is a great choice to use for a new deck. In fact, cedar can be used for the substructure as well, making a beautiful deck from bottom to top, literally. It's an option that is more stable and less harmful to the environment than pressure treated wood.

How do you maintain a cedar deck?

Cedar decks require minimal upkeep. A simple cleaning to remove surface dirt once a year will go a long way to extending the service life of your deck. Soap and water will do in most cases, but if there are any signs of mildew you will have to use a diluted oxygen bleach solution.

What decking is better than Trex?

AZEK boards are also significantly lighter than Trex boards and absorb less heat. AZEK Boards are also more expensive than Trex boards–especially in their value-priced offerings.

What is the disadvantage of the pressure treated decking material?

The main problem is that it's very reactive to the sun. If you are not diligent about the care and maintenance of pressure-treated pine, it will change color, crack, warp, and cup. Depending on the weather and environment where you live, it may also be susceptible to mold, rot, and insect damage.

What is the most scratch resistant decking?

So if you're prone to getting scratches on your deck - whether from pets, kids, or parties - then you want to consider Azek. For your next choice, TimberTech and Ipe are also great options because they're very scratch resistant, and with Ipe you can most likely sand a lot of those scratches out.

Is it better to stain or paint a cedar deck?

Stain enhances the natural beauty of the wood, especially the details of woods like cedar and redwood, which are naturally pleasing to the eye and are wasted under the opaque mask of paint. Unlike paint, a high-quality stain that includes sealer will penetrate the wood grain and seal it, allowing moisture to escape.

How long should you wait to seal a new cedar deck?

As a general rule, expect to wait approximately 30 days before scheduling professional deck sealing. However, in the case of intense wood grains such as cedar and mahogany, you may want to seal the deck earlier — perhaps within one or two weeks.

How much gap do you leave between cedar decking boards?

When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you're using decking that's already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn't been dried down or kiln dried.

What is the life expectancy of a pressure treated deck?

Wooden Decks Made from Pressure-Treated Lumber

So while it will resist a lot of the environmental changes that the weather brings, it might not be the ideal material for everyone. If you maintain and seal your pressure-treated deck, it can last you around 50 years.

What is the best material for outdoor decks?

Pressure treated lumber can give you many years of use and enjoyment of your deck. Often made from southern pine, a wood variety known for its load-bearing strength and durability, pressure treated materials can be the best wood for decking in high-traffic spaces.

Is Trex better than treated wood?

While the initial investment for a pressure-treated wood deck is less than that of a composite deck, a Trex deck saves you money in the long run because it lasts longer and requires less maintenance. Maintaining a wood deck with regular sanding, staining and sealing adds significantly to the overall cost.