Red Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Pine

Deciding between Red Cedar and Pressure Treated Pine? Both are popular, long-lasting choices for a beautiful and secure fence. Compare the natural beauty of cedar with the cost-effectiveness of pine to find the perfect fit for your home and budget.

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Red Cedar

Red Cedar

Pressure Treated Pine

Pressure Treated Pine

Comparison of Pros and Cons

  • Cost Effective – Less expensive compared to Red Cedar.
  • Bug and Rot Resistant – Chemically treated to resist termites and decay.
  • Can last 15-20 years with proper care.
  • More rigid and dense – allowing it to hold up better to blunt impact.
  • Natural Beauty – Rich reddish-brown color and fine grain.
  • Naturally Resistant – Contains oils that naturally deter rot, decay, and insects; no chemicals needed.
  • Can be left untreated and still last 20 years or longer with proper care.
  • Less likely to warp, twist, crack, split and bow compared to pine.
  • Lighter weight helps delay the sagging that ultimately occurs on gates.
  • Greenish tint and more/larger visible knots.
  • More prone to warp, twist, crack, split, and bow over time as it dries
  • Require regular sealing or staining to extend life and improve appearance
  • Heavier, which can cause gates to sag sooner, especially on taller fences or wider gates.
  • More expensive when compared to Pressure Treated Pine
  • Still need pressure treated pine posts for ground contact wood.
  • Without staining or stealing, it loses its color over time.
  • Softer wood makes it more likely to show visible marks from animals, tools, or hard impacts.
  • Not available in all fence styles.

What About the Impact of Staining?

Staining offers UV protection for a wood fence, prevents graying and surface breakdown, thereby extending the life of the fence. Semi-Transparent stains offer more UV protection, while Transparent Stains show more of the natural wood grain. Staining also provides moisture resistance, thereby reducing warping, cracking, and rot.

BF Asset Gather Shoot Wood 904 Hidden Valley Road 9
  • The green tint of the chemical preservatives can alter a stain’s color when applied, especially transparent stains.
  • Can’t be stained immediately after installation: Moisture content must be below 15%. Staining a fence too soon can prevent the stain from soaking in, or cause mold growth and wood rot.
  • Absorbs stain evenly
  • Takes stain more predictably
  • Cedar’s natural oils help it resist wethering, allowing stain to last longer.
Feature Red Cedar Pressure Treated Pine
APPEARANCE Rich reddish-brown, fine grain Greenish tint, more knots
DURABILITY Naturally resists rot, decay, insects (no chemicals) Chemically treated for bug & rot resistance
LIFESPAN 20+ years with proper care 15-20 years with proper care
WARPING/CRACKING Less likely to warp, twist, or crack More prone to warp, crack, twist as it dries
WEIGHT Lighter - helps reduce gate sag Heavier - can cause gates to sag sooner
STRENGTH Softer wood, shows marks more easily Denser & more rigid, holds up better to blunt impact
COST Higher upfront cost More affordable
OTHER NOTES Posts still need pressure-treated pine for ground contact; not available in all styles Requires frequent sealing/staining to improve appearance & lifespan

STAINING CONSIDERATIONS

Benefits: Adds UV & moisture protection, prevents graying, reduces warping, extends fence life. Stain Types: Semi-Transparent = more UV protection. Transparent = shows more natural grain.

Red Cedar: Absorbs stain evenly; natural oils help stain last longer. Pressure Treated Pine: Green tint can affect color; must dry (moisture <15%) before staining.