LumberCalcs: The Straight-Grain Figures for the Hand-Hewn Builder
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Redwood

For a premium outdoor look with strong natural durability -- decking, siding, and outdoor furniture where budget is less of a constraint.

Runner-up: Western Red Cedar · Retake the quiz

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Why this fits you

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  • You want a premium natural appearance with strong rot resistance.
  • Budget is less of a primary constraint than with cedar or PT pine.
  • You\'re in a region where redwood is more readily available (West Coast especially).
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Redwood shares cedar\'s natural rot and insect resistance but with a distinctive deep reddish color and, in higher grades, very fine, tight grain. It\'s a premium option often chosen for decking, siding, and furniture where appearance matters as much as durability. It\'s typically the most expensive of the naturally rot-resistant softwoods and more commonly available on the US West Coast than elsewhere.

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How it compares

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OptionBest forDurabilityCost
Pressure-Treated PineDeck framing, posts, structural outdoor useChemically treated for rot/insect resistance$
Western Red CedarOutdoor furniture, fencingNaturally rot/insect resistant$$
RedwoodPremium decking, siding, furnitureNaturally rot/insect resistant$$$
IpeHigh-end deckingExtremely dense, rot/insect resistant, 25+ year lifespan$$$$
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Buying checklist

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  • Grade matters a lot with redwood -- construction-common grades have more knots than clear, premium grades
  • Consider availability and shipping cost if you\'re far from the Pacific Northwest/Northern California growing region
  • A finish helps redwood keep its rich color; left unfinished it will weather to gray like cedar
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Run the numbers

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Wood Weight CalculatorLumber Cost Calculator
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Frequently asked questions

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Is redwood better than cedar?

Neither is strictly "better" -- both are naturally rot-resistant softwoods with different appearances and price points; redwood tends to cost more and features a deeper red color, while cedar is generally more widely available.

Does redwood need a special finish?

Not to survive outdoors -- its natural oils provide rot resistance -- but a finish helps it retain its distinctive color rather than weathering to gray.

Why is redwood more expensive outside the West Coast?

Redwood grows primarily in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, so shipping to other regions adds cost compared to more widely distributed species like Southern yellow pine.

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Other Which Wood for My Project Finder results

Pressure-Treated PineWestern Red CedarIpe (Brazilian Hardwood)
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