So, you made the decision to surface your deck using natural wood. Now the question becomes: which one? The two typical options are pressure-treated wood and cedar. Let’s talk a little bit about the pluses and minuses of each.
First and most important, for those of us living where we do, is that the climate in Michigan does matter. Natural wood is awesome, but it is natural, and that means that it is subject to decay over time—especially in a high-moisture environment like Michigan, where you also have extreme temperatures. These factors absolutely come into play in the decision-making process over what the best wood is for your deck. This interacts with budget, aesthetics, and wearability. There is no wrong decision, but you definitely want to make sure that you are aware of the implications of the decision that you're making.
Now, let’s compare the two for use in southeastern Michigan.
How Each Material Handles Wet Conditions
Pressure-treated wood is designed specifically to resist rot in wet environments, and it performs really well in contact with the ground and in areas of poor drainage. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, but it can still deteriorate really fast in consistently wet conditions, and it requires a lot of maintenance—meaning more sealing more often in our humid climate.
Freeze and Thaw Performance
When it comes to managing our freeze and thaw cycles, cedar definitely wins. It's more dimensionally stable, which means it won’t warp and crack as much as pressure-treated wood will with the freeze-thaw cycle. With pressure-treated wood, liquid can get into the seams and the fibers, and then as it expands and contracts, that will create cracking and splitting in a way that doesn’t happen with cedar.
Comparing Density and Wear Over Time
The flip side is that pressure-treated is a much stronger and denser wood. It is typically used for framing, joists, and structural components on decks, regardless of what the actual deck surface will be. But that strength also translates to the decking itself, meaning that it will wear better over time. Cedar, on the other hand, is softer and just a less structurally strong wood, so it’s more susceptible to dents and wear.
What It Takes to Keep Each Deck Looking Good
Pressure-treated also tends to win when it comes to maintenance. You can get away with staining or sealing a pressure-treated deck every two to three years, and it’s a more forgiving surface if you happen to skip an additional year. With cedar, it grays very quickly and becomes rough if it’s neglected in our Michigan climate, so it really needs staining every year, or at maximum every two years.
Lifespan Expectations
When it comes to the life of your deck, the two prior paragraphs are going to tell you everything you need to know. In Michigan, a pressure-treated deck, properly maintained, is going to last for 20 to 30 years, and it’s going to hold up better in wet and shaded conditions. You can expect cedar decking to last 15 to 25 years if properly maintained, but that is highly dependent on maintenance, and that lifespan drops very quickly if it’s not regularly sealed.
How Each Material Feels in the Summer
Something that many people don’t think about is how much heat the deck holds during the summertime. Now, to be fair, this can be mitigated by things like awnings, deck covers, etc. But if you have an uncovered deck, pressure-treated wood will retain more heat, and the surface will become rougher over time as a result of that heat expansion. Cedar, on the other hand, is a soft wood which has a softer and more comfortable feel and will be cooler underfoot. So you need to think about where your deck is located and how much shade you're going to have. If your deck is exposed to direct sunlight continuously during sunny days, then cedar is a good choice.
How Each Deck Ages Visually
Finally, you need to think about appearance over time. Any deck, to maintain an extended life, needs proper maintenance—especially regular power washing and staining. As any deck ages, it is going to fade to gray. With pressure-treated wood, that fade is uneven and blotchy and becomes less attractive with aging. Cedar starts as a beautiful natural wood deck, which will very quickly turn gray if it’s not properly sealed, but when properly maintained, it ages much more gracefully.
Upfront and Long-Term Investment
If cost is a factor—and let’s be real, for most people it is—then you need to keep in mind that the cost of pressure washing and staining a deck that is on average 400 square feet can cost you anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on who you use and what materials are applied.
With cedar, you're talking about staining at least every two years, and really the recommendation is to do it every year. With pressure-treated wood, you can get away with staining every three and even four years, especially early in the life of the deck. Now, the initial cost for pressure-treated wood is also less than cedar, which can be more expensive by $2 to $4 per linear foot. So all in, purchasing and maintaining a cedar deck is quite a bit more expensive, when done right, than a pressure-treated deck. Put simply:
Choose cedar if:
- You care more about look and comfort than price.
- You are prepared to maintain it regularly.
- Your deck gets good and continuous sun exposure.
Choose pressure-treated if:
- Upfront or lifetime cost is a consideration.
- You want a bit lower maintenance.
- Your deck tends to be shaded or damp.
If you have any questions or need help deciding on the right material for your new deck, contact us at Ace Handyman Services North Oakland County and we will guide you through the best option for your budget, lifestyle, and home.