Building a deck can help to elevate any property, and also offers a functional outdoor living space for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the fresh air. When it comes to selecting the right decking material, there are a lot of great options to choose from, including pine and cedar.
Both pine and cedar are popular choices for decking due to their durability, natural beauty, and affordability. However, there are important differences between a pine vs cedar deck that you need to consider before committing to one or the other.
In this article, we will compare pine and cedar deck boards, examining their characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks to help you make an informed decision about whether a cedar or pine deck is best for your home.
Quality Cedar Products can meet all your cedar board needs. This blog is informational only and not a replacement for expert advice. Please consult a professional before starting any building project as your needs and specifications may vary and it may not reflect the most current building codes, regulations, or industry standards.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Decking Material
There are several reasons why it’s important to choose the right material for your deck. Firstly, the type of wood you use will affect the overall look and feel of your outdoor living space. You want to choose something that suits your style and your home’s architecture and landscaping.
Secondly, different materials have different maintenance and care requirements. Some require regular staining and sealing, others just need an occasional wash. Some materials are more resistant to weather, sun, and insects, which can save you valuable money and time on repairs in the long run.
What’s the Difference Between Pine vs Cedar Deck Boards?
Many people looking to build a deck find themselves tossing up between cedar vs pine deck boards. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities, differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each.
A Brief Introduction to Cedar Decking
Cedar is a softwood, known for its distinctive reddish-brown hue and natural insect-repelling properties. Cedar decking is a popular choice among homeowners due to the beauty, durability, and moisture resistance of this wood.
A Brief Introduction to Pine Decking
Pine decking is another popular choice among homeowners. Pine is widely available and fairly affordable and can be stained or painted to match your home’s color scheme. However, pine wood is softer than cedar, making it more susceptible to damage and pests.
Pine vs Cedar Deck Boards: Which is Better?
While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, there are a few factors you should consider when choosing between a pine vs cedar deck. Let’s run through the different details that might affect your decision.
Appearance
One of the main differences between a cedar vs pine deck is the appearance of the two kinds of wood. Cedar is distinctively red with white highlights, giving it a warm, inviting feel. Pine, on the other hand, tends to be browner and often lighter in color than cedar. Can cedar be painted? Yes, if you don’t like the natural red color of the wood, you can paint your cedar decking.
Pine also needs to be pressure treated so that it can withstand the outdoor elements. Pressure treatment often affects the color of the wood and tends to result in an almost greenish hue. Does cedar need to be treated as well? The answer is no - cedar does not need to be pressure treated.
Longevity
Cedar definitely wins points for its longevity. In terms of how long cedar decking lasts, cedar has a natural resistance to rot and pests, which means its longevity is second to none. Some cedar decks can last up to 40 years with the right care and maintenance. Pine, on the other hand, is a softer wood than cedar and typically lasts 10-15 years.
Cost
Depending on your budget and the size of the deck you are building, cost may be an important factor when choosing between a pine vs cedar deck. Typically, the cedar decking cost is higher than pine, as cedar wood is not as common. However, cedar also doesn’t need treating or maintaining as much as pine, and will usually last longer, which reduces costs in the long run.
Maintenance
Cedar decking maintenance is relatively straightforward. You just need to occasionally give your deck a sweep and wash as needed. If you’re wondering how to protect a cedar deck, the best way is to seal and stain it, around every three years to restore cedar decking.
Pine, on the other hand, requires annual sealing and oiling. When it comes to a pine vs cedar deck, a cedar deck will last longer with lower maintenance than a pine deck.
Sustainability
Both pine and cedar are sustainable woods, with eastern red cedar being labeled one of the most sustainable furniture woods available. Cedar is more sustainable than pine because of the pressure treatment process that pine must undergo. This means that pine wood cannot be burned, and much of it ends up in landfill, where it does not break down for decades.
Availability
Cedar and pine are both very common woods for furniture, fencing, and decking. Both types of wood are readily available across North America and harvested from plantations specifically for use in construction.
So, Which is Better: Pine vs Cedar Deck Boards?
At the end of the day, cedar comes out on top. Cedar wins points for its beautiful red appearance, its longevity, its sustainability, and low maintenance requirements.
What About Other Decking Materials Compared to Cedar?
While most people find themselves choosing between a cedar or pine deck, there are a few other options you may want to consider. One choice is composite vs cedar decking, but composite tends to be more expensive than cedar.
Another option is cedar deck vs pressure treated lumber, but as we already discussed, there are several downsides to pressure treatment. All in all, cedar gives you the best value, quality, and appearance in a deck.
Get the Quality Cedar Deck Boards You Need at Quality Cedar Products - the Most Trusted Provider in Canada!
So, if you’ve decided that a cedar vs pine deck is the way to go, the next step is to get your hands on some cedar deck boards. The cedar experts at Quality Cedar Products offer top-quality cedar for decking, and their experienced professionals are always happy to share their wisdom and help you learn how to install cedar decking.
What Makes Our Cedar Decking Selection so Special?
The quality of cedar on offer at Quality Cedar Products can’t be beaten, thanks to the team’s incredible quality control processes. Each piece of lumber is personally and manually inspected and graded - only the best quality products are made available for customers.
Plus, if you’re not happy with the cedar decking you order from Quality Cedar Products, they offer a complete quality guarantee - no questions asked. The team at Quality Cedar Products wants nothing more than to supply customers with the best possible cedar decking available.
Do you need to order in bulk, or are you looking to sell your own cedar products? Order wholesale lumber and get unbeatable prices on cedar with Quality Cedar Product's wholesale program.
Other Cedar Lumber We Offer
Quality Cedar Products doesn’t just offer amazing quality cedar for decks. They are also a leading supplier of sauna cedar, cedar fencing, cedar exterior siding, and sound barrier fencing. In all cases, you can rest assured you are getting the same, personally quality-assured cedar.
Wrapping Up Our Cedar vs Pine Deck Debate
When it comes to a cedar vs pine deck, it’s hard to look past cedar. Cedar is a beautiful, long-lasting, low-maintenance wood that outshines pine and ensures your deck is the perfect accent to your home.
Ready to build yourself a beautiful cedar deck? Contact Quality Cedar Products, the highest-quality western red cedar lumber supplier in Canada!
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