Pressure-Treated vs Cedar Decking Compared: Cost, Life, Care

TL;DR: Pressure-treated pine runs $3-$6 per square foot installed and lasts 10-15 years with regular sealing, while cedar runs $6-$9 per square foot, lasts 15-20 years, and resists warping better but still needs a fresh finish every 2-3 years. Choose pressure-treated if budget matters most; choose cedar if you want a lighter workload and don't mind the upfront cost.

_Last reviewed: July 2026 · 7 min read_

You're staring at two stacks of lumber at the yard, and the price tags alone don't tell you what you actually need to know. One board rots faster in wet climates, the other splinters if you skip a summer of staining, and the sales rep isn't the one who'll be out there sanding it in five years.

Okoniq Property Hub lets you log which decking material you installed, when it was last sealed, and set a reminder before the next maintenance window comes due.

How Much Does Pressure-Treated Decking Cost Versus Cedar?

Pressure-treated pine typically runs $3 to $6 per square foot installed, while cedar runs $6 to $9 per square foot, roughly 30-40% more. On a standard 320-square-foot deck (16x20), that gap works out to $960-$1,920 for pressure-treated versus $1,920-$2,880 for cedar, a difference of about $1,000-$2,000 depending on your region and board grade.

The price gap isn't just the wood. Cedar is lighter and easier to cut, which can shave labor hours, but it's also more prone to splitting if a contractor pre-drills incorrectly near the ends. Pressure-treated lumber, chemically infused with copper-based preservatives (usually ACQ or MCA), resists rot and insects out of the box but often ships wetter, so boards need 4-8 weeks to dry before staining.

Which Lasts Longer, Pressure-Treated or Cedar?

Cedar generally outlasts pressure-treated pine, 15-20 years versus 10-15 years, mainly because cedar's natural oils resist rot and insects without chemical treatment. That said, both numbers depend heavily on maintenance and climate. A pressure-treated deck in Arizona with low humidity can hit 20 years, while an unsealed cedar deck in coastal Florida might need major board replacement by year 10.

The failure point that matters most isn't the decking surface, it's what's underneath. If the ledger board or joists are compromised, the species of your decking boards won't save you. Check out 5 deck ledger board problems that cause collapses and 5 signs your deck joists are rotting underneath before you assume your deck's age is just cosmetic.

| Factor | Pressure-Treated | Cedar | |---|---|---| | Cost per sq ft (installed) | $3-$6 | $6-$9 | | Typical lifespan | 10-15 years | 15-20 years | | Warping/cupping risk | Higher, especially if installed wet | Lower, more dimensionally stable | | Insect/rot resistance | Chemical (built-in) | Natural oils | | Maintenance interval | Reseal every 1-2 years | Reseal every 2-3 years |

How Much Maintenance Does Each One Actually Need?

Pressure-treated decking needs resealing every 1-2 years, while cedar can stretch to every 2-3 years before the finish visibly fades. Both need a wash-down each spring, cleaning debris from between boards, and a check for popped nails or loose fasteners before summer traffic starts.

The chemicals in pressure-treated lumber protect against rot but do nothing for UV damage, so untreated boards turn gray and start splintering within a single season of sun exposure. Cedar grays too, but its tighter grain means fewer splinters even when the finish wears thin. If you're deciding how to budget the labor, plan on roughly 2-4 hours of cleaning and inspection per 300 square feet each spring for either material, plus a full reseal (6-10 hours) on the schedule above.

Which One Handles Rain and Ground Moisture Better?

Cedar handles standing moisture and ground contact slightly better than pressure-treated pine, but neither survives standing water at the base posts without proper drainage. Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact (look for the "UC4A" or "ground contact" stamp) is chemically formulated for this exposure and is actually the better choice for posts and any board within 6 inches of soil, cedar or not.

Where most decks actually fail isn't the decking boards at all, it's water pooling near the foundation or posts because grading and drainage weren't addressed. If your deck sits low or you've noticed soft ground nearby, read 5 drainage jobs you're forgetting before the rainy season before you invest in either material.

Is There a Third Option Worth Considering?

Composite decking is worth a look if you want to skip the staining cycle entirely, running $8-$12 per square foot with a 25-30 year lifespan and zero sealing required. It costs more upfront, roughly double pressure-treated and 30-50% more than cedar, but if you're not planning to reseal every year or two, the math evens out over a 15-20 year hold. The tradeoff: composite gets hotter underfoot in direct sun and can't be sanded or refinished if it scratches.

FAQ

Is pressure-treated wood safe for a deck near a vegetable garden?

Modern pressure-treated lumber uses copper-based preservatives (ACQ/MCA) rather than the arsenic-based CCA banned for residential use in 2003, and it's considered safe for structures near gardens, though direct soil contact for edible beds is still best avoided.

Can I stain cedar the same color as pressure-treated wood?

Yes, both accept the same oil-based and semi-transparent stains, though cedar's tighter grain often shows color more evenly since it absorbs less unevenly than pressure-treated pine's variable density.

How soon after installation should I seal a new deck?

Wait 60-90 days for pressure-treated lumber to dry out before sealing, since sealing wet wood traps moisture underneath; cedar can typically be sealed within 30 days since it ships drier.

Does pressure-treated lumber smell or off-gas indoors?

It shouldn't be used indoors at all since it's rated for exterior/ground contact use only, and any strong chemical odor from new boards should fade within a few weeks outdoors with normal airflow.

Which material is better for a deck that gets full sun all day?

Cedar tends to hold up slightly better under constant UV exposure because its natural oils slow down surface breakdown, but both materials need UV-blocking stain, not just clear sealant, to avoid graying within a single season.

This is educational information, not construction or engineering advice. Call a licensed contractor or structural engineer if you're unsure about your deck's ledger board, footings, or load capacity.