Cedar Decking

What cedar decking is

Western Red Cedar is the softwood people choose when a deck has to look right for years without chemical treatment. Its natural oils give it Durability Class 2, meaning it resists rot, insect attack and fungal decay on its own. Our cedar decking boards are graded Clear Heart Vertical Grain, the highest commercial grade, so the grain runs straight and tight with very few knots and the finished deck looks calm and even.

Cedar decking board sizes

All of our cedar decking boards are a solid 40 mm thick, which gives a firm, quiet deck underfoot, so the only size choice is the width. The 90×40 mm board suits smaller decks and steps, and the extra lines across the surface give a more detailed finish. The 140×40 mm board covers ground faster and suits larger, more contemporary decks. Choose the length on the product page; longer boards mean fewer end joins on wider decks, while shorter boards suit small decks and steps with less waste.

How much does cedar decking cost?

The cost of a cedar deck comes down to the board width, the length and the size of the area. The fairest way to compare is by cost per m² of finished deck rather than per board, because a 140 mm board covers far more ground than a 90 mm one. Enter your deck area in the calculator on the product page to get the number of boards, and the cart adds the matching fixings for you.

Why choose cedar for your deck

At around 380 kg/m³, cedar is exceptionally light. One person can carry long boards, the load on the substructure stays low, and the timber cuts cleanly and planes to a fine finish. It starts a warm honey-brown and, with subtle colour variation between boards, gives a deck real character.

Cedar decking vs other timber decking

Cedar sits at the natural, premium end of our timber decking. These are the alternatives most people compare it with:

• Yellow Balau decking: a dense tropical hardwood for a harder-wearing surface.
• Ecowood decking: our kiln-dried Red Class softwood, the value choice in 145×28 mm boards.
• MicroShades decking: treated softwood that arrives factory finished, ready to lay.

Installing cedar decking

A cedar deck is only as good as the frame beneath it. Build on a level, well drained decking substructure and keep these points in mind:

• Space the joists at a maximum of 400 mm centres for a residential deck, or 300 mm or less where the deck will carry heavier loads.
• Use A2 or A4 stainless steel screws. Cedar’s natural oils react with ordinary steel and leave black stains.
• Pre-drill near the board ends and leave a small gap between boards so water drains away.

Screws, clips and trims are in our decking accessories range.

Looking after cedar decking

Cedar doesn’t need treating to resist rot, but left bare it weathers to silver grey over 12 to 18 months. Most people oil it within the first few months to keep the honey-brown colour, then refresh it each year or two. A UV protective oil from our exterior oils and stains keeps the colour rich and helps the surface shed water. Sweep off leaves and grit regularly so the deck dries quickly after rain.

Cedar is one of the species in our full timber decking range, stocked in our warehouse and delivered across Ireland.