Last Updated on July 13, 2026 by Sam Wood Worker
Redwood is a wood I really love working with, but it’s also a wood a lot of homeowners don’t fully understand before they buy it.
I still remember the first time I worked with redwood. A customer wanted a deck that would “look amazing for years without much fuss.” I told him honestly, redwood can do that, but only if you treat it right. He trusted me, and five years later that deck still looks great. That’s the kind of wood we’re talking about today.
So let’s go through everything, the good, the bad, and the real numbers, just like
What Is Redwood, Really?
Redwood comes from the coast redwood tree, mostly grown in California. If you want the full story on where this tree comes from and why it grows so massive, I actually wrote a separate piece on that here: Redwood Trees: The Story Behind Them. Worth a read if you’re curious about the tree itself, not just the lumber.
For decking purposes, what matters is this: redwood has natural oils and tannins in it that resist rot and bugs on their own, without any chemical treatment. That’s a big deal, because it means you’re not dealing with pressure-treated chemicals if you don’t want to.
Is Redwood Good For A Deck? My Honest Take
Yes, redwood is good for decks. But “good” depends on what you want.
Here’s how I break it down for customers:
Redwood is great if:
- You want a natural, warm look without staining it a weird color
- You care about low chemical treatment
- You’re okay maintaining it every year or two
- You live somewhere without extreme humidity all year
Redwood might not be your best pick if:
- Your budget is tight (it’s pricier than pressure-treated pine)
- You want a “install it and forget it” deck
- You’re in a very wet or humid climate without good airflow underneath
If you’re still deciding between redwood and other decking woods, I compared several options in 7 Best Woods For Decks On Every Budget. It’ll help you see where redwood sits compared to cedar, pressure-treated pine, and a few others.
Redwood vs Cedar: The Question I Get Asked Most
Honestly, I get this question almost every week. Both woods are naturally resistant to rot, both look beautiful, and both cost more than basic pine.
From my experience working with both:
- Redwood tends to have a straighter grain and a deeper reddish color
- Cedar is usually a bit more affordable in most parts of the country
- Cedar handles moisture in humid areas slightly better in my experience
- Redwood ages into a lighter, silvery tone faster if left unsealed
I wrote a full side-by-side comparison here if you want the details: Cedar vs Pressure Treated Deck, and if you want to understand cedar specifically before comparing, Cedar Deck Guide covers that wood on its own.
Wood Deck Guide: Types, Costs & Best Wood for decks
Real Scenario: My Redwood Deck Build
Let me tell you about a job that really taught me something. A family wanted a redwood deck attached to their kitchen, mostly for summer dinners outside. Nice project, simple design, about 300 square feet.
Here’s what I noticed during that build:
The wood was a joy to cut and sand. Redwood is soft compared to something like ipe or teak, so my tools moved through it easy. No fighting the material.
But here’s the catch. About two years later, the homeowner called me because a few boards near the grill area had gone gray and rough. Turns out, they never resealed it after the first year like I told them to. Redwood without a fresh sealer coat starts to weather fast, especially in direct sun.
We resealed it, and it looked brand new again within a weekend. Lesson here: redwood rewards maintenance. Skip it, and the wood will tell on you.
How Long Does A Redwood Deck Last ?
With proper care, a redwood deck can last 20 to 25 years, sometimes longer if it’s well maintained and not sitting in constant moisture. Without maintenance, expect it to weather and degrade noticeably faster, maybe 10 to 15 years before real problems show up.
I go into more detail on how deck lifespan works in general, including moisture, climate, and wood type factors, in How Long Does A Wood Deck Last?
Maintaining A Redwood Deck (What Actually Works)
Here’s my honest maintenance routine, based on what I do for my own projects and recommend to clients.
Once a year, minimum:
- Clean the deck with a mild deck cleaner, not a harsh pressure wash that can tear up the soft grain
- Check for any soft spots or discoloration
- Reapply a quality sealer or stain
Every few years:
- Sand lightly if the surface gets rough
- Check fasteners and hardware for rust
For picking the right product, I always tell people not to grab the cheapest stain on the shelf. I broke down my top picks here: 5 Best Wood Stains For Outside and Best Deck Sealer. Both articles cover what actually holds up outdoors, not just what looks good on the can.
If you live somewhere hot and sunny, color choice actually matters more than people think, since dark colors soak up more heat. I covered that here: Best Deck Colors For Hot Climates
Common Problems With Redwood Decks (And How To Fix Them)
Graying or fading. This is normal aging from UV exposure, not damage. A cleaner and fresh sealer coat brings the color back.
Soft or spongy spots. This usually means moisture got trapped somewhere, often near ground contact or under furniture that never gets airflow. Catch it early before it spreads to the frame underneath.
Insect activity. Redwood resists bugs better than most woods, but it isn’t bulletproof, especially older boards with less natural oil left. If you notice small holes or sawdust-like debris, check out my guide on Wood Destroying Pests to identify what you’re dealing with. I’ve also seen wood mites show up on decks that sit in shaded, damp spots, which I cover in Get Rid Of Wood Mites On A Deck.
Redwood Deck vs Composite: Which One Wins?
I get this question a lot too, so let me be straight with you.
Composite decking is basically maintenance-free and won’t rot or need staining. But it doesn’t have that natural warmth redwood gives you, and in my opinion, it just doesn’t feel the same under your feet.
If you want the full comparison with real pros and cons of each, I wrote a detailed breakdown here: Wood Deck vs Composite Deck
My honest opinion? If you love the natural look and don’t mind yearly upkeep, redwood is worth it. If you want zero maintenance and don’t care about the natural wood feel, composite makes more sense.
Cost Of Building A Redwood Deck
Redwood typically costs more than pressure-treated pine but usually less than exotic hardwoods like ipe or teak. Prices shift a lot depending on your region and the grade of redwood you pick.
Rather than throw a rough number at you that might not match your project, I built a tool that gives you a real estimate based on your actual deck size and material choice: Wood Deck Cost Calculator
If you want to compare pressure-treated wood specifically as a cheaper alternative, Pressure Treated Wood Deck Guide walks through everything about that option.
Tools You’ll Need If You’re Building One Yourself
If you’re a DIY person like a lot of my readers, redwood is fairly forgiving to work with since it’s soft and easy to cut. I put together a list of the essential tools for any deck build here: Deck Building Tools
My Final Thoughts On Redwood Decks
Redwood is one of those woods that rewards people who take care of it. It’s not the cheapest option, and it’s not the “set it and forget it” choice. But if you like the idea of a natural-looking deck that ages beautifully with a little yearly attention, it’s hard to beat.
My honest advice, as someone who has built more than a few of these: don’t skip the yearly cleaning and sealing. That’s the one thing separating a redwood deck that looks amazing after 15 years from one that looks tired after 5.
If you’re on the fence about redwood versus another wood species, take a look at the comparison guides I linked above. And if you’re ready to start planning, run your numbers through the deck cost calculator first, it’ll save you from any budget surprises down the road.
