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I finally challenged my neighbor on treated lumber vs cedar decking | Backyard Builds - Guest Forum

kai602•2mo ago

I finally challenged my neighbor on treated lumber vs cedar decking

My neighbor Bob has been building decks for 30 years and he swears by pressure treated lumber for everything. I always went with cedar because I like the look and thought it held up better. Last weekend we got into it while he was helping me plan a new 12x16 deck in my backyard. He told me that modern treated lumber with the new chemical formulas actually resists rot way longer than cedar and costs about 40% less per board. I argued that cedar smells better and is easier to stain, but he pulled out photos of his own deck from 2012 that still looks solid with just a coat of sealer every few years. Now I am second guessing my whole plan. Has anyone else switched from cedar to treated and regretted it or been happy with the choice?

2 comments

2 Comments

noah2482mo ago

My own deck from 2011 is pressure treated and it still passes the screwdriver test, no soft spots anywhere. I was dead set on cedar at first too, but Bob's right about the cost, I saved enough to build a matching pergola with the difference. The only thing I regret is not putting a solid stain on it right away, just let it weather for a year and it grayed out uneven. Cedar does smell great when you cut it, no argument there, but once it's sealed you can't tell the difference from five feet. If you're on a budget or want less upkeep, treated is the way to go, just keep up with the sealer and it'll outlast the house.

kimr332mo ago

I read somewhere that the newer ACQ treated lumber is way harder on fasteners than the old CCA stuff, so you gotta use the right screws or they'll corrode quick. Good to know your 2011 deck is holding up though, that says a lot. I've heard mixed things about pressure treated warping on long boards, so I'd probably go cedar if I wanted it to look perfect for a long time.

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