While cedar wood is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage, it has some disadvantages. Cedar can be relatively expensive compared to other softwoods. It may also have a strong aroma that some people find unpleasant. Additionally, cedar can be prone to splitting and splintering if not handled properly.
When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. It's highly resistant to insect attack and rot, and special versions rated for “ground contact” can be buried in soil and will continue to shrug off decay for decades.
Although cedar lasts a long time under ideal conditions and treatment, it tends to degrade more quickly when it's used for ground-level decks, and if it's shaded, it will slowly dry out.
Cedar Wood
It resists water reasonably well and doesn't tend to crack. Cedar lasts about 20 years if not treated, but some damage may be noticeable from heavy traffic. Cedar can last for decades when used in your outdoor projects if cared for properly.
Cedar can and will rot and decay, it just takes alot longer than other wood. It can become weak and brittle so it depends on the design of your chairs and the thickness of the planks as to whether or not they'll hold up and support the weight you're going for.
The main insect-repelling chemical present in cedar chips is known as thujone. Property owners love how cedar chips can repel a variety of insects including cloth-eating moths, carpet beetles, cockroaches, and certain types of ants.
#5 Animal Toxicity
There are many studies available on how the use of cedar wood chips and shavings have affected animals continually exposed to these products. Most studies show a correlation with liver dysfunction in animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters.
Cedar naturally contains oils that help to repel moisture and insects, which makes it a great choice for siding. However, over time these oils can break down, leaving the wood vulnerable to damage. Sealing your cedar siding helps to protect it from moisture, UV rays, and pests, which can help extend its lifespan.
Teak. Teak is the king of durable, outdoor woods. It's extremely rot resistant, reasonably dense and straight-grained, will not warp or crack over time, and has an attractive appearance.
Untreated cedar fences, made of natural and rot-resistant wood, can typically last for approximately 15 to 20 years under ideal conditions. However, a cedar fence treated with a protective stain can prolong its life even further, potentially lasting over 30 years with proper maintenance.
Thujone is the insect-repelling chemical that cedar wood naturally releases, and it causes nerve damage to bugs and insects. The wood's aroma becomes more prominent after heavy rainfall, so you don't have to worry about bugs laying eggs on your property.
Our results suggest that plicatic acid, a unique constituent of cedar wood, and abietic acid, the major constituent in pine resin, can produce lytic damage to alveolar, tracheal, and bronchial epithelial cells.
Cedar thrives in damp climates, enabling it to withstand many conditions. Cedar doesn't shrink, swell, warp, or decay even when there are severe changes in weather, which makes it such an ideal choice for exterior siding.
Yellow pine is a very affordable wood, making it a great choice for outdoor projects. It is also more workable than hardwoods, making it a popular choice.
Cedar is the more expensive of the two for several reasons. Pine is a more abundant wood because it's easier to grow and replenish. Cedar's higher durability also leads to suppliers charging more for that wood.
Larch is one of the 'hardest' softwoods there is. In fact, such is their similarity, we've written an entire blog post dedicated to comparing Western Red Cedar and Siberian Larch cladding. If you're running a tighter budget, Siberian Larch is a particularly great cedar alternative.
Lifespan Of Cedar Wood
Cedar wood may last over 20 years when used in outdoor structures, such as decks, pergolas, gazebos, or furniture. It can last between 15 and 20 years when used for constructing a fence or support posts.
If you prefer to preserve the original color of your cedar fence, there are steps you can take to slow down the greying process: Seal and Protect: Applying a high-quality wood sealant or finish to your cedar fence can help shield it from UV radiation and moisture, preserving its natural color for a longer time.
Caveats For Using Stain on Cedar
If the Cedar has considerable shade with little to no UV exposure, using a stain instead of an oil might be appropriate. This is usually when a house is shaded by dense tree cover or has wide soffits, such as villas where the roof extends over the porch.
Transparent, non-flexible, film-forming finishes such as lacquer, shellac, urethane, and varnish are not recommended for exterior use on cedar. Ultraviolet radiation can penetrate the transparent film and degrade the wood.
Cedar (& some other similar trees as well as the products made from them, such as wood shavings) contain volatile oils that irritate a snake's lungs. Most snakes only have one functional lung to begin with, & anything that impairs the function of that lung is unhealthy for the snake.
The phenols, which give cedar its delightful earthy scent, are what repels fleas, moths, cockroaches, venomous snakes, mice and rats.
Natural deterrent: Due to the cedar's significant repelling properties, it naturally deters a number of insects. This includes adult clothing moths, clothing moth larvae, silverfish, termites, carpet beetles and cockroaches.