In addition, cedar is a good choice to use for the support posts, underlying frame and cross beams on decks. The wood is one of the few species which is naturally at home in the outdoors. It is classified as a durable wood by the building codes across North America for outdoor applications.
What is the price of cedar?
Cedar boards range from $4 to $9 per linear foot. Different types of cedar, like western red cedar or northern white cedar, may vary slightly in price. Larger-sized boards also tend to be more expensive.
How long will a 6×6 cedar post last?
Cedar has a reputation for durability, but unless a few guidelines are followed, cedar posts can fail in as few as five years.
Can cedar be load bearing?
Cedar post is also extremely capable of being used in high load bearing situations such as support beams and other crucial areas. Some of the most revered characteristics of cedar include its natural durability and sound resistance.
Are cedar posts structural?
It’s a misnomer that western red cedar isn’t structural. While it’s not as sound and doesn’t have quite the load-bearing capacity as other species such as Douglas fir and hemlock, western red cedar can be used structurally. It’s naturally durable and stable, and it’s great for outdoor use.
Are cedar posts strong?
Durability/Strength
Cedar is stronger and more durable than pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber can warp and weather within a few years if left untreated, while cedar is more capable of naturally keeping its shape.
Which is cheaper cedar or redwood?
Redwood is more durable, but the cost is around 20% more expensive, on average, than cedar. Redwood may be a slightly better wood, but the cost and access make cedar the winner. Much of the debate around cedar vs. redwood centers on personal preference.
How long does cedar wood last?
In outdoor structures that are not in contact with the ground, such as decks, gazebos, pergolas and fence boards, cedar may last 30 years or longer. When in contact with the ground, such as when it’s used for fence or support posts, it can last between 15 and 20 years.
Does cedar turn GREY?
When fully weathered, cedar takes on a light silvery-gray appearance. If you like the weather-beaten look of a seaside cottage or an old barn, cedar can develop that look all on its own. But one aspect of cedar’s weathering process that doesn’t appeal to some homeowners is that it turns gray unevenly.
Should cedar posts be set in concrete?
Set wood “on” concrete, never “in” concrete no matter what kind of wood. Setting wood in concrete makes for a continuously moist environment in which not even the best treated wood will survive long.
What lasts longer pressure treated or cedar?
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.
How do I keep my cedar post from rotting?
Because water wicks up through the cut end grain of the post much more readily than it does through the sides of the post, either soak the end of the post in a preservative solution (copper naphthenate), or coat it with a waxy end sealer such as Anchorseal.
How much weight can a 4×4 cedar post support?
An 8-foot 4×4 can typically carry 1,000lbs horizontally along its length without excessive sag, or 500lbs in a center load. Supported at 16” centers and the load jumps to 4,000lbs. When used as a post, the same 4×4 can support up to 6,000 PSI and even more if properly braced.
Can you use cedar for structural beams?
In addition to interior enhancement, Western Red Cedar can be used in engineered structures including commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
