Thanks to its rot-resistance and distinctive grain, cedar became famous for deck building and outdoor furniture pieces. The only problem is these materials don’t come in one variation and fixed pricing.
As the cedar wood prices fluctuate, budgeting your expenses can get complicated. Read on as our woodworking experts discuss the latest pricing trends to help you stay within the budget.
How Much is Cedar Wood per Square Foot?
If you’re buying cedar lumber, the material alone can cost up to $15. Wood boards with a decent quality range at $9, while the cheapest (if you can find one) is approximately $4. Remember that this estimation excludes labor expenses, which we’ll discuss later in this post.
How Much is Cedar Worth a Board Foot?
The cost of cedar per board foot heavily relies on the material’s thickness, width, and length. Considering these factors, the average price range can be between $3 to $7. The cost can fluctuate more than this estimation, especially if you want premium-quality boards.
Interesting Read: Is Cedar a Hardwood or Softwood?
Cost of 4/4 Cedar Lumber
Upon checking the current lumber suppliers, it’s clear that most 4/4 cedar options range from $4 to $6 per board foot. The price can bump more than $10, depending on the seller’s or buyer’s location and the material’s quality.
Cost of 5/4 Cedar Lumber
If you’re buying 5/4 cedar boards that underwent milling procedures, the lowest cost range you can expect is $4 to $12 per linear foot. According to our team’s prior knowledge of the market, the material’s length can also cause the price to increase.
Cost of 6/4 Cedar Lumber
While 6/4 cedar lumber materials aren’t the most typical size variations in today’s market, you can buy them as low as $4.50 to $5. If you’re eyeing higher wood grades, it can cost up to $12 per board foot.
Cost of 8/4 Cedar Lumber
The cheapest 8/4 cedar lumber option most woodworkers will encounter in the market is around $7 to $12. It can cost lower, but you have to keep an eye out for deals because they’re often out of stock. You also see an increase in pricing for premium cedar species.
Rough Cut Cedar Lumber
Depending on the seller’s preferences, rough-cut Cedar materials have set prices per board foot and linear foot. The latter can cost a buyer around $2.50 to $7.00, while the prior-mentioned is approximately $3 to $8.
These wooden materials underwent no finishing procedures, so you must prep them before using them. You can sand or plan these lumber pieces to yield a smooth finish.
Tip: To know how much wood you’ll need, you’ll want to use the board foot calculator.)
Cedar Wood Fencing
Making a fence out of cedar material is more expensive than vinyl ones, but the cost depends on your desired style and design. If you’re installing it alone, the material expenses alone cost around $7 to $12.00 per linear foot [1].
You’ll need to pay $15 to $30 if you include the fence posts, hardware, and installation costs. Even then, the price can increase depending on your area’s labor costs and the design’s complexity.
Cedar Wood Decking
Cedar wood decking materials can cost between $4 and $8 per linear foot. However, you can find more budget-friendly options that sell at a $3 price point. If you want high-quality boards, prepare to spend at least $10 per linear ft.
Cedar Wood Siding
If you combine the materials and installation costs for making Cedar wood siding, your spending can reach $3.50 to $10.50 per square foot. Since most US homes have 1,500 square feet of exterior walls, the overall expense ranges from $5,250 to $15,750.
Cedar Wood Cladding
While the creation of Cedar wood cladding only costs $3 to $8 per square foot, you have to factor in other materials to build this project. The expenses should include nails, screws, and installation hardware.
Reclaimed Cedar Wood
Reclaimed cedar wood boards may be repurposed or salvaged from old structures, but most are authentic and durable. Considering this fact, it’s unsurprising that they cost $5 to $15 per square foot.
Because of their unique attributes and history, reclaimed cedar wood can be more expensive than new cedar materials.
Pricing of Red Cedar vs. Other Cedar Options
Red cedars are slow-growing wood species, so it’s natural that they’re more expensive than other options. Besides excellent durability and natural aesthetic, these materials have higher price tags mainly because they’re rare.
Unlike other widely-available wood boards, Red Cedar trees can only be seen in the Pacific Northwest of North America.
More price guides for you:
Conclusion
As you may already notice, cedar wood prices are higher than other lumber types. The cost may put you off, but our woodworking experts assure you it’s a wise long-term investment.
These materials are durable enough to last decades and add value to your property with proper care and maintenance.
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