Cedar vs Redwood Decking: Which One Is Better for You?

Cedar and redwood are two attractive natural woods used for outdoor decks. Both contain natural compounds that help the heartwood resist decay. Both are also lighter and easier to cut than many tropical hardwoods.

However, cedar and redwood are not identical. They differ in color, hardness, availability, grades and price. More importantly, durability depends heavily on whether the boards contain heartwood or less-resistant sapwood.

This research-based comparison uses technical wood data, grading information, industry installation guidance and common homeowner concerns. Always check the grade stamp, supplier information, installation instructions and local building requirements before buying lumber.

Is Cedar or Redwood Better for Decking ?

Redwood is generally better when you want a richer red color, slightly harder boards and access to a suitable heartwood grade. Western red cedar is usually better when you want lightweight boards, wider availability and a lower installed price. Both require correct grading, corrosion-resistant fasteners, good drainage and periodic maintenance to perform well outdoors.

The short answer is:

• Choose cedar for wider availability and a lower starting cost.
• Choose redwood for its deep color and slightly greater hardness.
• Choose heartwood grades when natural decay resistance is important.
• Avoid comparing materials without checking their actual grades.
• Select the best-quality boards available within your local budget.

Cedar vs Redwood Decking Comparison

This article compares Western red cedar with coast redwood, the two species most commonly intended when these decking names are used.

These figures are general species averages. Individual boards vary with grade, growth conditions, moisture content and proportion of heartwood. Do not use species averages to size structural members.

What Is Cedar Decking ?

Although several woods are sold as cedar, Western red cedar is one of the most familiar choices for decking in North America.

It is lightweight, straight-grained and relatively stable as moisture conditions change. Its low density makes it easy to carry, cut and drill. Natural extractives in its heartwood provide resistance to decay.

Cedar is also a soft wood. Furniture legs, dropped tools, pet claws and heavy planters may leave dents or scratches. This softness does not automatically make it unsuitable for decking, but it means the surface needs reasonable care.

If you want a complete explanation of cedar grades, finishing and ownership costs, read our cedar deck guide.

Common cedar decking grades

Western red cedar grade names vary by grading agency and supplier. Examples you may encounter include:

• Clear Vertical Grain
• Clear Heart
• A and Better Clear
• Select Knotty
• Architect Knotty
• Custom Knotty

Clear grades offer a more uniform appearance and fewer knots, but they cost more. Knotty grades provide a more rustic appearance at a lower price.

A clear grade is not always required for a good deck. Sound, well-manufactured knotty boards may offer better value when a natural appearance is acceptable.

Ask the supplier for written information identifying:

• Species
• Grade
• Grading agency
• Moisture condition
• Heartwood and sapwood content
• Finished dimensions
• Recommended joist spacing
• Intended exterior use

What Is Redwood Decking ?

Redwood decking normally comes from coast redwood. It is known for its warm color, dimensional stability and natural heartwood durability.

Fresh redwood may range from light pink to a deep reddish brown. Exposure to sunlight gradually changes the color. Without a protective pigmented finish, both redwood and cedar eventually weather toward silver or gray.

Redwood is somewhat harder than Western red cedar according to average Janka ratings. This may provide slightly better resistance to small dents. However, redwood is still a softwood and should not be treated like a dense tropical hardwood.

Our detailed redwood deck guide explains redwood grades, costs, maintenance and expected performance.

Common redwood decking grades

Redwood has numerous grade names. Decking and garden-structure grades may include:

• Clear All Heart
• Heart Clear
• Heart B
• Deck Heart
• Construction Heart
• Deck Common
• Construction Common
• Merchantable Heart
• Merchantable

The word “Heart” matters. It generally indicates that the grade consists of naturally durable heartwood. A grade name without “Heart” may allow sapwood.

Clear heartwood grades provide high appearance quality and natural durability, but their price can be considerably higher. Knotty heartwood grades may offer a more practical balance for an outdoor deck.

Always confirm the exact grade with the supplier. Do not assume every reddish board has the same durability.

Which Costs Less: Cedar or Redwood?

Western red cedar usually costs less than comparable redwood, particularly outside California and the western United States.

However, there is no reliable national price difference. Your cost depends on:

• Geographic location
• Lumber grade
• Heartwood content
• Board thickness and width
• Kiln-dried or unseasoned condition
• Clear or knotty appearance
• Local stock
• Delivery distance
• Order quantity

A low cedar price may represent a knotty grade containing sapwood, while an expensive redwood quotation may be for a clear, all-heart grade. Those are not equivalent products.

Compare written quotes for the same:

1. Board dimensions
2. Grade quality
3. Heartwood content
4. Moisture condition
5. Length distribution
6. Delivery charge
7. Waste allowance

Use our deck material calculator to estimate how many boards your deck may need before requesting prices.

Example board-cost calculation

Consider a deck measuring 12 feet by 20 feet:

Deck area:

12 × 20 = 240 square feet

Add 10% for cuts, defects and waste:

240 × 1.10 = 264 square feet

Now compare hypothetical board prices:

In this example, redwood costs $528 more:

$2,376 − $1,848 = $528

These are illustrative prices, not current national averages. They exclude framing, fasteners, railings, stairs, labor, delivery and finishing supplies.

The example demonstrates why homeowners should compare the total quantity rather than the price of one board.

Which Wood Lasts Longer?

Both cedar and redwood can provide a long service life when suitable grades are installed and maintained correctly. It is not accurate to promise that either material will last a fixed number of years.

Durability depends on:

• Amount of durable heartwood
• Lumber grade
• Board thickness
• Climate and rainfall
• Shade and airflow
• Construction details
• Fastener quality
• Cleaning and finishing
• Exposure to soil or trapped moisture
• Frequency of inspection

Premium redwood heartwood is commonly valued for its natural decay resistance. Western red cedar heartwood also has good natural durability.

Sapwood is the important exception. Sapwood from either species does not offer the same natural decay resistance as heartwood. It may require preservative treatment when used in conditions where biological deterioration is likely.

Visit our guide to how long a wood deck lasts for a closer look at the factors that cause early deck failure.

Which Decking Is Harder?

Redwood is slightly harder than Western red cedar based on average Janka hardness values.

Approximate ratings are:

• Western red cedar: 350 pounds-force
• Coast redwood: 450 pounds-force

The Janka test measures the force required to embed a steel ball into wood. It is helpful for comparing dent resistance, but it does not measure structural strength, decay resistance or overall deck life.

The difference between these two species is noticeable on paper but should not be overstated. Both woods can be marked by:

• Furniture legs
• High-heeled shoes
• Metal tools
• Heavy grills
• Dragged planters
• Active pets

Use protective pads under heavy furniture. Lift objects instead of dragging them, and place grills on an appropriate protective mat that will not trap moisture.

Does Cedar or Redwood Resist Rot Better?

The heartwood of both species has natural decay resistance. High-quality redwood heartwood is often selected when maximum natural durability is a priority.

However, grade is more important than choosing by species name alone.

A redwood board containing substantial sapwood may be less durable than a good cedar heartwood board. Likewise, low-grade cedar should not be expected to perform like carefully selected clear cedar heartwood.

Natural durability also does not make either wood waterproof. Boards repeatedly exposed to trapped water, soil, blocked drainage or wet debris may deteriorate.

The frame beneath cedar or redwood decking is often pressure-treated lumber. Beams, joists and posts must be selected and sized separately. Cedar or redwood deck boards should not automatically be used as structural framing.

Which Wood Handles Moisture Changes Better?

Western red cedar and redwood are both dimensionally stable compared with many common softwoods. They generally experience relatively low shrinkage.

Even stable wood moves as it gains and loses moisture. Proper storage, moisture condition and board spacing are still important.

Wet or unseasoned boards may shrink after installation. Dry boards may expand during wet weather. A single spacing rule does not work for every situation.

Before installation:

• Store boards flat and supported off the ground.
• Protect the stack from rain while allowing airflow.
• Do not seal wet lumber inside plastic.
• Check whether the boards are green, air-dried or kiln-dried.
• Follow the supplier’s spacing recommendation.
• Acclimate the lumber when recommended.

Board spacing must allow drainage without creating unsafe gaps. Local requirements and the moisture condition at installation should guide the final spacing.

Which Wood Looks Better ?

Cedar usually begins with tones ranging from pale amber to reddish brown. Redwood commonly has a stronger pink, red or reddish-brown color.

There is considerable variation within both species. Heartwood, sapwood, grade, age and finish all affect appearance.

Choose cedar if you prefer:

• Warm brown and amber tones
• Strong color variation
• A light, natural appearance
• Rustic knotty-grade options

Choose redwood if you prefer:

• Rich red and reddish-brown tones
• A more distinctive red appearance
• Clear heartwood options
• A traditional West Coast deck appearance

Do not select either material from an online photograph alone. Order or purchase samples and view them outdoors. Apply the intended finish to the samples because oil, stain and sealer can change the color substantially.

Will Cedar and Redwood Turn Gray ?

Yes. Both woods weather when exposed to sunlight and moisture.

Unfinished cedar and redwood gradually lose their original color and develop a gray surface. Graying is mainly an appearance change and does not automatically mean the board is rotten.

If you want to preserve more of the original color, use a penetrating exterior finish with UV-resistant pigments. Clear water repellents generally provide less protection from sunlight than pigmented products.

If you like the gray appearance, you may leave suitable exterior-grade boards unfinished. The deck will still need cleaning, inspection and moisture management.

Our best deck stain guide explains the differences between transparent, semi-transparent and solid finishes.

Does Cedar or Redwood Need Sealing ?

Neither wood must be coated simply to exist outdoors when the correct grade is used. However, a suitable finish can help reduce water absorption, slow surface weathering and maintain the desired color.

A practical finish should be:

• Intended for exterior decks
• Suitable for cedar or redwood
• Able to tolerate foot traffic
• Compatible with previous coatings
• Applied at the manufacturer’s stated coverage rate
• Used only after the wood is properly prepared

Do not apply a coating merely because the deck is new. Check the product instructions and confirm that the lumber is clean and dry enough.

Overapplication is a common problem. A thick film or excess penetrating stain may remain sticky, collect dirt or peel prematurely.

Which Fasteners Should You Use?

Cedar and redwood contain natural extractives that can react with unsuitable metal. This may cause dark streaks, discoloration and fastener corrosion.

The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association identifies stainless steel as the preferred option. Hot-dipped galvanized and aluminum fasteners may also be suitable in certain applications.

For decks near salt water, 316-grade stainless steel generally offers better corrosion resistance than standard 304 stainless steel.

Avoid:

• Interior screws
• Electroplated fasteners
• Unapproved metal connectors
• Mixing incompatible metals
• Fasteners that leave rust stains
• Overdriving screw heads into soft boards

Fasteners must also be compatible with the pressure-treated framing beneath the deck. Check the recommendations from the decking supplier, fastener manufacturer and treated-lumber producer.

Advantages of Cedar Decking

Cedar is lightweight

Western red cedar is easy to transport, position, cut and drill.

It is widely available

Cedar is commonly stocked across more North American regions than redwood.

It has good dimensional stability

Properly dried cedar has relatively low shrinkage and resists excessive warping when installed correctly.

Heartwood has natural durability

The heartwood contains compounds that help resist decay.

It accepts penetrating finishes

Cedar can be finished in a wide range of natural tones.

Knotty grades can offer good value

Homeowners who accept knots may obtain an attractive natural-wood deck without buying clear lumber.

Disadvantages of Cedar Decking

The surface is soft

Cedar can dent and scratch under concentrated loads.

Board quality varies

Low-grade boards may contain loose knots, wane, splits or significant sapwood.

It needs appearance maintenance

Cleaning and periodic refinishing are required if you want to retain its original color.

Unsuitable fasteners cause stains

Cheap or incompatible metal can react with cedar extractives.

Thin boards need adequate support

Joist spacing must match the board’s thickness, width, grade and installation direction.

Advantages of Redwood Decking

Redwood has a rich natural color

Its pink and red tones create a distinctive appearance.

It is slightly harder than cedar

Average Janka ratings suggest somewhat greater resistance to dents.

Heartwood grades offer natural durability

Appropriate heartwood grades are valued for decay resistance.

It is dimensionally stable

Redwood generally has relatively low shrinkage compared with many other softwoods.

Multiple appearance grades are available

Buyers can choose between clear architectural grades and more economical knotty garden grades.

It machines and finishes well

Redwood can be cut, drilled and coated without specialized woodworking equipment.

Disadvantages of Redwood Decking

It may cost more

Premium heartwood grades can be expensive.

Availability is regional

Redwood is generally easier to source in the western United States.

Grade names can confuse buyers

A redwood label alone does not confirm heartwood content or appearance quality.

It can still be scratched

Redwood is harder than Western red cedar but remains a relatively soft decking material.

Color still weathers

Unprotected redwood does not retain its original red color indefinitely.

Common Cedar and Redwood Decking Mistakes

Choosing by species without checking the grade

A high-quality cedar board may outperform a low-quality redwood board. Examine grade, heartwood content, moisture condition and manufacturing quality.

Assuming all reddish wood is heartwood

Color alone is not a reliable grade certificate. Ask the supplier to identify the product in writing.

Using indoor or electroplated screws

Unsuitable fasteners may corrode and create dark stains.

Installing every board with the same fixed gap

Green, air-dried and kiln-dried boards may require different spacing at installation.

Skipping end-grain protection

Cut ends absorb moisture quickly. Follow the finish or lumber supplier’s instructions for treating exposed end grain.

Letting debris collect between boards

Leaves and dirt hold moisture against the wood and restrict drainage.

Using a pressure washer too aggressively

High pressure and a narrow nozzle can damage soft cedar and redwood fibers, leaving a rough surface.

Applying too much stain

More product does not necessarily provide better protection. Excess stain may stay tacky or fail prematurely.

Ignoring the structure

Beautiful deck boards cannot compensate for weak joists, poor ledger flashing, loose railings or inadequate footings.

Cedar vs Redwood Decision Scorecard

Use this original scorecard to connect the material choice with your actual priorities.

Give each factor an importance rating from 1 to 5. Multiply the importance by the material score.

Example:

If regional availability has an importance of 5:

• Cedar: 5 × 5 = 25 points
• Redwood: 5 × 3 = 15 points

Complete the calculation for all factors. The higher total indicates which wood more closely matches your preferences.

This is a selection tool, not a structural design calculation. Local price, actual lumber grade and supplier quality should influence the final decision.

Which Wood Should You Choose?

Choose Western red cedar when:

• Cedar is readily available from a reliable supplier.
• You want a lightweight and workable deck board.
• Your budget does not support premium redwood.
• You like amber, brown and reddish color variation.
• A sound knotty grade suits your design.

Choose redwood when:

• Quality heartwood grades are available locally.
• You prefer a deeper red appearance.
• You want a slightly harder softwood surface.
• The price difference is acceptable.
• You can obtain a clearly identified grade.

Choose neither material until you have inspected samples and compared written specifications.

Final Verdict

Cedar offers the better overall value for many homeowners because it is lightweight, attractive and more widely available. Redwood may be the better premium choice when rich color, slightly greater hardness and high-quality heartwood grades are priorities.

However, species name is only the beginning of the decision. Grade, heartwood content, board thickness, moisture condition and installation quality may have a greater effect on performance than the cedar-versus-redwood label.

Request samples from at least two suppliers. Compare the boards outdoors, check their grade information and calculate the complete installed cost. Then download the relevant installation and finishing instructions before construction begins.

Always verify joist spans, board spans, stair details, guards, fasteners and structural connections against manufacturer guidance and local building requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is redwood more expensive than cedar?

Redwood is often more expensive, especially outside the western United States. However, a clear cedar grade may cost more than a knotty redwood grade. Compare equivalent grades and dimensions rather than species averages.

Is redwood stronger than cedar?

Redwood is slightly harder according to average Janka values, but hardness is not the same as structural strength. Structural capacity depends on species, grade, dimensions, span and loading.

Does cedar last as long as redwood?

Either can last for many years when durable heartwood, correct construction and regular care are combined. It is not possible to predict service life from the species name alone.

Can cedar and redwood be installed over pressure-treated joists?

Yes. Natural-wood deck boards are commonly installed over properly designed pressure-treated framing. Use fasteners compatible with both the deck boards and the framing treatment.

Can you mix cedar and redwood on one deck?

It is technically possible, but color, grain, weathering and movement may differ. Use physical samples and confirm fastener and finish compatibility before combining them.

Which wood is better around a pool?

Both can work, but the surface must be maintained to reduce splinters and slippery organic buildup. Consider board texture, drainage, exposure, fastener corrosion and locally required slip resistance.

Should cedar or redwood be pressure washed?

They can be cleaned carefully, but excessive pressure can erode the soft surface fibers. Begin with the cleaning method recommended by the finish or lumber supplier. If pressure washing is permitted, use low pressure, a wide fan and sufficient distance.

Is cedar or redwood more sustainable?

The answer depends on forest source, certification, transportation distance, expected service life and waste. Look for credible forest certification and ask the supplier where the lumber was harvested and milled.

Reliable Sources

• USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Wood Handbook
• Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: Cedar Properties
• Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: Deck Fasteners
• Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: Decking Resources
• Redwood Lumber Grades and Uses
• California Redwood Association Reference Library
• American Wood Council: Codes and Standards