Cedar Decking Cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Cedar decking cost ranges from $22.00 to $40.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 320 sq. ft. cedar decking projects costing about $7,040 to $12,800.
This estimate is for cedar deck boards and cedar deck installation, including western red cedar, clear or knotty cedar boards, fasteners, basic framing tie-in, and local labor. It is not for pressure-treated decking, redwood decking, hardwood decking, composite decking, PVC decking, aluminum decking, deck lighting, or pool deck surfacing.
Enter your ZIP code and deck size below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Cedar Decking Cost Calculator
Cedar decking cost depends on deck size, cedar grade, western red cedar, clear or knotty boards, board thickness, moisture content, staining, sealing, splintering, fastener staining, rot resistance, framing condition, railing, stairs, demolition, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 320 sq. ft.
$7,040 – $12,800
About $22 – $40 per sq. ft.
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $2,240 | $5,120 |
| Labor | $4,800 | $7,680 |
| Estimated installed cost | $7,040 | $12,800 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $22 | $40 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Cedar Decking Cost vs Value
Cedar Decking may recover about 50%–70% of its cost.
Bottom line: Cedar decking costs more than pressure-treated decking but less than many hardwoods, with value driven by board grade, clear versus knotty cedar, framing condition, railing and stair scope, staining, sealing, and long-term maintenance.
Worth it: Homeowners who want a natural wood deck with better appearance and rot resistance than basic pressure-treated lumber.
Skip it: Projects where pressure-treated, redwood, hardwood, composite, PVC, aluminum decking, deck lighting, or pool deck surfacing is the main scope.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
How to Measure Cedar Decking
Measure the deck surface in square feet. Multiply deck length by deck width, then add square footage for landings, stair treads, picture-frame borders, angled cuts, and waste. A 16 ft. by 20 ft. deck is 320 sq. ft.
Cedar decking pricing changes when the quote includes new framing, railing, stairs, demolition, joist repair, permits, staining, sealing, or second-story access.
Cedar Decking Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Cedar costs more than pressure-treated decking because the boards are usually selected for appearance, natural rot resistance, and lower chemical treatment concerns. Ask whether the quote uses clear cedar, knotty cedar, western red cedar, resurfacing over existing framing, or a full deck rebuild.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Total deck size in square feet
- Cedar species and board grade
- Clear cedar, knotty cedar, or mixed-grade boards
- Deck board thickness, width, and profile
- Existing framing condition and joist spacing
- Fastener type, corrosion rating, screws, or hidden fasteners
- Railing, stairs, skirting, demolition, and disposal scope
- Staining, sealing, and maintenance schedule
Common Cedar Decking Add-On Costs
| Item | Typical Added Cost |
|---|---|
| Old deck board removal | $2.00 – $6.00 per sq. ft. |
| Joist or framing repair | $500 – $5,000+ |
| Cedar or wood deck railing | $40 – $120 per linear ft. |
| Deck stairs | $500 – $3,000+ |
| Staining or sealing cedar decking | $1.50 – $5.00 per sq. ft. |
Cedar Decking Cost by Grade
| Cedar Decking Type | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Knotty cedar decking | $22.00 – $32.00 | Lower-cost cedar decks with a natural wood appearance |
| Western red cedar decking | $28.00 – $38.00 | Mid-range cedar decks with better appearance and rot resistance |
| Clear cedar decking | $34.00 – $40.00+ | Premium cedar decks with fewer knots and a cleaner board face |
Cost by Cedar Deck Size
| Deck Size | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 sq. ft. | $4,400 – $8,000 |
| 320 sq. ft. | $7,040 – $12,800 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $8,800 – $16,000 |
| 500 sq. ft. | $11,000 – $20,000 |
Is Cedar Decking Worth It?
Cedar decking is usually worth it when you want a natural wood deck with better appearance than pressure-treated lumber and a warmer look than many synthetic boards. It may not be the best choice if you want the lowest upfront cost, minimal maintenance, or a surface that does not need staining or sealing.
Related Deck Cost Guides
References
- North American Deck and Railing Association
- American Wood Council: Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide
- NAHB: Building Codes
- This Old House: Decking
Last Updated: 6/19/26
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