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How Long Does Cedar Last Outdoors

In the field of woodworking, cedar is one of the most widely used woods. But you might have thought, Is cedar good for outdoor use? If you want to use cedar for outdoor furniture to withstand harsh weather, you may wonder if the wood is suitable for outdoor use, such as a wood deck.

Almost any woodworking project, such as cedar decking materials, siding, trimming, fence or support posts, and flooring, can be completed using it. In an overview, cedar is an excellent wood for outdoor use as it is naturally weather resistant and can resist rot and deterioration.

Cedar wood is simple to deal with, and with the proper finishing, cedar furniture and woodworks are excellent for outdoor use. Cedar is also a great wood for humid environments.

In our guide, you can learn more about how long does cedar wood last, and more. By the end, you’ll see that the wood needs minimal annual maintenance thanks to the minimal moisture absorption properties and how its use compares to pressure-treated lumber. (Read Is CLR Safe For Septic Tanks)

Cedar for Wood

Benefits Of Cedar Wood

There are many materials for outdoor furniture, with cedar commonly recommended.

Here are reasons why cedar is ideal for outdoor furniture and more.

Natural Resistance

One question asked here is, is cedar waterproof? Cedar is resistant to harm brought on by insect damage, pests, rot, or water because it contains natural oils.

It is more likely to keep its original, appealing appearance than many other forms of outdoor furniture and outdoor structures, from shingles to other sections.

Cedar Ages Gracefully

You can paint or stain your cedar furniture to keep its original appearance.

If you decide to do nothing, the furniture will turn a fabulous gray or silver color.

Strength Of Wood

Cedar lumber is a robust, warp-resistant wood. Consider cedar for rustic, durable furniture or structures around the home. Strong cedar furniture can last around 30 years, exceeding pressure-treated lumber or particle board for outdoor furniture.

Outdoor cedar furniture is popular, and cedar costs less than teak and is lighter than oak.

Built In Insulation

Cedar’s air spaces protect it from temperature changes. As a result, Cedar patio furniture stays cool even when it’s scorching outside. This makes cedar benches and chairs more comfortable in summer.

Maintenance

Cedar furniture is minimal maintenance, giving you more time to enjoy it. Comparatively, cedar patio furniture is affordable.

Wood Sealer

Wood Sealer Use

Manufacturers usually pre-seal cedar furniture. Sealants last a while, but furniture needs a fresh coat yearly for proper maintenance.

Look for wood sealers that contain UV-protectant chemicals to keep cedar’s natural tone from fading.

Cedar is a robust and anti-microbial wood perfect for natural furniture and only needs basic care to protect cedar furniture.

Is Cedar Naturally Rot Resistant?

Yes, cedar naturally resists rot because it wards off insects, resists dampness, and resists decay without needing to be treated, painted, or stained. It already exhibits strong resistance to environmental factors.

Thujone is a scientific name for cedar oil and other substances that the wood releases. These protect the wood from bug and insect attacks, with Western Red Cedar being the best.

In addition, the wood’s air-filled pore patterns help it protect against extremely high and low temperatures. (Learn How To Stop Particle Board From Crumbling)

How Long Will Cedar Last Outside?

Cedar will last outside for 20 years or more with good finishing and routine maintenance. However, you may ask, how long does cedar last in the ground?

Fences and other outdoor uses of cedar that come into contact with the earth survive for at least ten to twenty years. Event untreated cedar lasts a decade or more.

Here are examples of the typical lifespan of woodwork and outdoor use furniture.

  • Shingles: 15 years
  • Pergolas: 20 years
  • Decking: 20 years
  • Porch swings 20 years or longer
  • Benches: 15 years
  • Sheds or outdoor storage: 10+ years
  • Tables: 15 years
  • Chairs: 20 years
  • Fence 10 – 20 years
  • Gazebos: 10 years

Cons of Cedar

Before you run out and buy all the cedar lumber you can find, consider some drawbacks.

Expensive

Cedar may not be the most expensive wood on the market, but its price is still significantly higher than most woods.

In comparison, pressure-treated wood costs way less than Cedar. So if you were to choose between Cedar and pressure-treated lumber and cost is a factor, it may as quickly be a deal-breaker for you.

Pressure Treated Wood

What is Pressure-Treated Wood?

Pressure-treated lumber is non-decay-resistant wood, like Southern yellow pine, that has undergone chemical treatment in a holding tank at reduced pressure.

After removing the extra air, the holding tank replaces the extra air with a chemical treatment made of preservatives and water. When using wood outdoors, pressure treating it can help protect it from rot, rotting, and insect damage.

Pressure treatment works best on a wood species that doesn’t offer natural weather resistance, such as cedar vs. pine.

The durability of the wood increases with the number of preservatives present. The number of chemical preservatives poured into an item during pressure treatment determines how long it will last for outdoor projects.

Pressure-treated wood comes in several varieties based on the number of preservatives employed in them.

For outdoor use, pressure-treated wood makes a suitable alternative. Additionally, the amount of preservative in the wood directly impacts its longevity and resistance to the elements. (Learn How To Unfreeze Water Line In Refrigerator)

Above-ground use:

These kinds present the least amount of preservatives per square inch of wood. Compared to other pressure-treated wood kinds, they have a lower resistance against weather elements.

As the term suggests, above-ground pressure-treated outdoor wood must be at least 6 inches off the ground.

Deck railings, porch flooring, fence pickets, and beams should all be done expertly.

Ground contact use:

These varieties of treated wood are perfect for on-ground projects since they include a higher concentration of protection chemicals.

They are more resistant to dampness, rain, insects, vegetation, soil contact, and other factors that could lead to rot and deterioration. They can also be used for projects in tropical climates or areas with poor air circulation.

For example, ground contact lumber can build landscape walls, garden boxes, foundations, and structural posts.

Pros of pressure-treated lumber

The woods contain chemicals for decay resistance, rot, and insect attack and act like cedar decks or a cedar fence wood, but without the color changes.

Pressure-treated wood types cost more than untreated wood, but cedar vs. treated wood comes out cheaper, so a cedar fence, for example, would cost more per cubic foot, yet cedar could look nicer.

Chemical compounds in pressure-treated wood repel insects. So instead of killing insects, the chemicals repel them.

Outdoor Cedar Wood Furniture

So you’ve concluded that you prefer the aesthetic of outdoor wood furniture, and you’ve probably heard about the benefits of cedar and pine outdoor furniture in this context.

How do you choose? What characteristics does one not possess that the other possesses? To determine which outdoor furniture is superior, we will compare cedar and pine pieces and examine their benefits.

The heartwood of outdoor cedar furniture has a reddish or pinkish brown color, while the sapwood has a creamy yellow color that can flow right through the heartwood in streaks.

Combining these red colors with the relatively straight grain and medium texture of cedar can readily add to the appearance of an outdoor-inspired, rustic setting.

1. Fresh Cedar Smell

Cedar furniture emits a distinctive, clean smell. While most people find it to be pleasant, it deters bugs. The cedar wood’s natural oils produce the aroma.

2. Strength

Pine that has been pressure-treated for outdoor usage is sturdy, dense, and resistant to abrasion, making it the perfect material for heavy-duty items like outdoor furniture that must withstand frequent use.

3. Stain, Paint, or Natural?

The natural hue of outdoor pine is light that runs from golden yellow to tan. It is a superb candidate for stain or paint because the wood grain is pretty straight. Both stained and raw pine outdoor furniture is lovely, but adding a stain will make it endure longer.

4. Price

In the US, pine is abundantly available and grows in plentiful supply. As a result, the price is kept low.

5. Resistance to Rot and Decay

Cedar contains special natural oils that make it naturally resist decay and prevent obnoxious bugs from setting up shop. Cedar also smells wonderful because of the oils.

Pine is pressure treated to make it more durable outside because wood rarely resists decay. Cedar benefits slightly from this because of its natural nature, which increases its endurance.

Although it rarely withstands the outdoors and cedar, pine is still a good option for outdoor furniture. This is because the outdoor elements won’t harm pressure-treated pine for a very long period.

There are tiny air pockets in the wood grain of cedar wood, which is porous. For cedar wood outdoor furniture, these pockets provide insulation that shields it from temperature variations.

Your cedar outdoor furniture is thus cool enough to sit on even when it’s scorching outside. Another benefit of outdoor cedar furniture is that it is less likely to expand or warp because of its resistance to temperature changes. (Read Can Refrigerator Doors Be Removed For Delivery)

6. Maintenance

Compared to pine, cedar will require more upkeep. Cedar will ultimately weather to a lovely gray tone if no sealant is applied. Stains and sealants must be reapplied every few years to preserve the hues of cedar. The durability of pressure-treated pine wood is excellent.

Cedar vs Pressure Treated Wood

FAQs

Which is better, cedar fence or pressure-treated wood fence?

Cedar is superior to pressure-treated wood. Cedar is more maintenance-free, resilient, and resistant to warping than treated wood. Cedar is also simpler, safer, and more eco-friendly to work with. As a result, cedar is a better option, although being more expensive.

Is cedar pressure treated?

No, items such as cedar decking or furniture don’t require pressure treatment because they are naturally resistant to rotting, decay, insects, and moisture damage.

Cedar has a natural resistance to rot and decay; thus, outdoor cedar furniture has a built-in resistance to rot and decay.

These natural oils protect the cedar wood and hinder the development of bacteria and fungi, which is ideal for humid climates.

Is cedar weather resistant?

Yes, cedar is weatherproof because of its chemical makeup. In addition, most bugs are repelled by cedarwood, which can also resist various environmental conditions without damage.

A cedar deck could, however, turn gray when exposed to intense sunshine.

Is pressure-treated wood cheaper than Cedar?

Yes, treated lumber typically costs less than cedar and, when maintained properly, may last just as long. Overall, cedar will cost more upfront but require less maintenance over its lifetime than pressure-treated wood, even with minimal contact with the ground.

Is Cedar suitable for a deck?

Cedar is a fantastic decking material since it is incredibly robust and naturally resistant to the elements. A cedar deck won’t rot or degrade and withstand most bugs’ attacks even without treatment.

Does cedar wood rot?

Because of its chemical properties, cedar is naturally resistant to weather and repels most bugs. However, direct contact with the ground can compromise its resistance, leading to eventual rot and deterioration.

How does cedar weather?

Without regular refinishing, cedar tends to acquire a fuzzy surface texture and minor cracking over time. You might wish to apply a little coat of sealer, so it is periodically refinished to prevent it from rapidly darkening into a grey tint when exposed to sunlight.

Is cedar wood waterproof?

Yes, cedarwood can withstand water. Because of the oil in the wood’s inherent ability to fend against deterioration and deter water, cedar is a water-resistant substance.

Use an oil-based finish rather than a water-based one on cedar since the latter will do a poorer job of shielding the wood from moisture.

How Long Does Cedar Last Outdoors