Decking · 25 cities

Cedar vs pressure-treated deck: which lasts longer where you live?

THE SHORT ANSWER

Across the 25 US cities we model, a cedar deck lasts 9–25 years and a pressure-treated deck 9–15 years unsealed. The cedar deck lasts longer in 23 of 25 cities, and climate decides by how much: the gap is widest in Las Vegas, NV (19–25 vs 12–15 years) and narrowest in Miami, FL (9–12 vs 9–11).

Simulated cedar deck in Seattle, WA after 10 years
Year 10Heavy mildew, surface checks
MODEL SIMULATION
Seattle, WA · south-facing deck, full sun, no sealant
Color lossSevere
Surface checkingHigh
Mildew / rotHigh
Fails first hereBoard ends, joists and shaded boards

Check your city

Side by side

Year 10 in four climates

Seattle, WA · Cool & damp

Cedar deck in Seattle after 10 years (simulation)
Cedar deck15–19 yrs expected
Pressure-treated deck in Seattle after 10 years (simulation)
Pressure-treated deck12–15 yrs expected

Phoenix, AZ · Hot & dry

Cedar deck in Phoenix after 10 years (simulation)
Cedar deck18–24 yrs expected
Pressure-treated deck in Phoenix after 10 years (simulation)
Pressure-treated deck11–15 yrs expected

Miami, FL · Hot & humid

Cedar deck in Miami after 10 years (simulation)
Cedar deck9–12 yrs expected
Pressure-treated deck in Miami after 10 years (simulation)
Pressure-treated deck9–11 yrs expected

Minneapolis, MN · Mixed

Cedar deck in Minneapolis after 10 years (simulation)
Cedar deck15–19 yrs expected
Pressure-treated deck in Minneapolis after 10 years (simulation)
Pressure-treated deck11–14 yrs expected

Every city

Expected life by city

Sorted by how much longer the cedar deck lasts. Model estimates from 1991–2020 NOAA normals.

CityCedar deck (untreated)Pressure-treated deck (unsealed)DifferenceMain threat to pressure-treated deck
Las Vegas, NV19–25 yrs12–15 yrs+8.5 yrsSun & UV
Phoenix, AZ18–24 yrs11–15 yrs+8.0 yrsSun & UV
Los Angeles, CA18–24 yrs12–15 yrs+7.5 yrsSun & UV
San Diego, CA18–24 yrs12–15 yrs+7.5 yrsSun & UV
Albuquerque, NM16–20 yrs9–12 yrs+7.5 yrsSun & UV
Salt Lake City, UT16–21 yrs10–13 yrs+7.0 yrsFreeze–thaw
Denver, CO14–19 yrs9–11 yrs+6.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
San Francisco, CA17–22 yrs12–15 yrs+6.0 yrsSun & UV
Austin, TX14–19 yrs10–13 yrs+5.0 yrsSun & UV
Dallas, TX15–19 yrs11–14 yrs+4.5 yrsSun & UV
Minneapolis, MN15–19 yrs11–14 yrs+4.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
Boston, MA15–19 yrs11–14 yrs+4.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
Portland, OR15–19 yrs11–15 yrs+4.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Seattle, WA15–19 yrs12–15 yrs+3.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Chicago, IL14–18 yrs11–14 yrs+3.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
Buffalo, NY14–18 yrs11–14 yrs+3.5 yrsFreeze–thaw
New York, NY14–18 yrs11–14 yrs+3.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Atlanta, GA12–15 yrs9–12 yrs+3.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Charleston, SC13–16 yrs10–13 yrs+3.0 yrsMoisture & decay
Nashville, TN12–16 yrs10–13 yrs+2.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Houston, TX12–15 yrs10–13 yrs+2.0 yrsSun & UV
Tampa, FL10–13 yrs9–11 yrs+1.5 yrsSun & UV
New Orleans, LA10–13 yrs9–12 yrs+1.0 yrsSun & UV
Mobile, AL9–12 yrs9–11 yrs+0.5 yrsMoisture & decay
Miami, FL9–12 yrs9–11 yrs+0.5 yrsSun & UV

“Difference” = midpoint for the cedar deck minus midpoint for the pressure-treated deck. Methodology.

Upkeep

What each one needs

Questions people ask

Which lasts longer, a cedar deck or a pressure-treated deck?

A cedar deck, in 23 of the 25 cities we model. Typical national ranges are 15–20 years for a cedar deck and 10–15 years for a pressure-treated deck; local climate moves both. Sealing wood every 2–3 years adds roughly a third to its life in our model.

Is a cedar deck better than a pressure-treated deck in damp, rainy climates?

In the 7 cities where moisture and decay is the main threat to a pressure-treated deck (for example Portland, Seattle, New York, Atlanta), our model gives the cedar deck 3 years more on average.

Is a cedar deck better than a pressure-treated deck in hot, sunny climates?

In the 12 cities where sun and UV is the main threat to a pressure-treated deck (for example Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego), our model gives the cedar deck 5 years more on average.

Is a cedar deck better than a pressure-treated deck in cold climates with many freeze–thaw days?

In the 6 cities where freeze–thaw is the main threat to a pressure-treated deck (for example Salt Lake City, Denver, Minneapolis, Boston), our model gives the cedar deck 5 years more on average.

What upkeep does each need?

Cedar deck: clean and seal every 2–3 years in a dry spell; check board ends and joists each spring. Pressure-treated deck: clean and seal every 2–3 years in a dry spell; check board ends and joists each spring.

More comparisons

Composite vs wood deck →Vinyl vs wood fence →How long does a cedar deck last? →How long does a pressure-treated deck last? →

Model simulation, not a guarantee: south-facing, full sun, no shade or ground-contact surprises.