Guide to Premium Pergola Wood Types

Patio Structures

Guide to Premium Pergola Wood Types

August 23, 2025

When planning your outdoor pergola, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right type of wood. The durability, appearance, and longevity of your pergola all depend on the materials used and the quality of the construction. At Pergola Depot, we handcraft our kits using premium-grade wood that’s not available at big box stores and we build pergola kits that are engineer-stamped for extreme weather. In this guide, we’ll compare our two top pergola wood choices: Rough Sawn Western Red Cedar and Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine. Both are excellent options for durability and beauty—but each has unique characteristics that might make one a better fit for your climate, aesthetic, and budget.

Why Wood Quality Matters

Not all wood pergolas are created equal. Many pergola kits sold online or in retail stores are made with low-grade lumber that won’t hold up over time. When comparing kits – or deciding to build a pergola yourself, ask these questions:

What wood grade is being used?
Is it sustainably sourced?
Is it durable enough to handle harsh outdoor conditions?
Is the wood hand-selected or mass-produced?

We use only premium quality lumber, combined with stainless steel hardware and hurricane-tested designs, to create patio covers that stand the test of time—both structurally and visually.

Our Premium Pergola Wood Options

Rough Sawn Western Red Cedar – Timeless & Naturally Durable

Western red cedar is a favorite for outdoor structures thanks to its natural beauty and resilience. It’s especially well-suited for dry climates and delivers a classic, rustic look with minimal upkeep. We always recommend applying a coat of stain or sealant when you assemble your pergola, and then every other year to maintain it’s golden appearance and preserve its stability. Key Features:

Color & Texture: Warm amber hue with a rough sawn, rustic finish
Natural Durability: Naturally resistant to rot, insects, and decay
Climate Suitability: Performs best in dry or moderate climates but will work in any climate
Finish Ready: Accepts paint, stain, or water seal immediately
Sustainability: Responsibly harvested in North America
Fragrance: Naturally aromatic

Cedar’s lightweight, straight grain makes it easy to work with and a pleasure to finish. It weathers beautifully to a silvery gray if left untreated, but we recommend preserving it with your choice of stain or sealant. Check with your local paint or hardware store to find the best product for your location. A product that has worked well is a stain and sealant product in one such as Olympic Stain & Sealant.

Premium Pressure Treated Pine – Strong, Affordable, Long-Lasting

Our most popular and budget-friendly option, Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine, offers exceptional strength and weather resistance—but with a major upgrade. We don’t use just any treated pine. We use:

Dense Select Pine for top components
#1 Grade Pine for posts

This means increased stability and superior load-bearing capacity—making it perfect for structural outdoor use in any climate. Key Features:

Appearance: Starts with a green tint from treatment; dries to golden brown, then silver-gray over time
Texture: Smooth sawn for a clean, classic look
Durability: Treated to resist rot, insects, and moisture
Climate Suitability: Ideal for humid, rainy, or coastal environments but will work in any climate
Finish Ready: Requires drying time (typically several months) before staining or sealing
Sustainability: Harvested in the Southeastern United States
Affordability: Best value for strength and longevity

Dense Select Pressure Treated Pine offers rugged durability and a traditional look. It's the ideal solution if you're looking for a strong, weather-resistant structure at a more accessible price point.

Handcrafted, Not Mass-Produced

Every Pergola Depot kit is hand-built in Melbourne, Florida, using high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Our designs were developed to handle the severe weather of hurricane-prone Florida and are engineered to withstand winds up to 175 mph. Designed and built in Florida for use in any location in the lower 48 United States. Unlike mass-produced pergolas, we take pride in:

Precision hand-cutting and drilling
Stainless steel hardware
Thoughtful, time-tested design
Customized sizing
Personalized customer service

If you're investing in an outdoor living space, you deserve a pergola that will stand strong and look great for years to come – and built by a team dedicated to high quality and customer satisfaction.

Which Wood is Right for You?

Both cedar and pressure treated pine offer excellent durability and beauty. The choice ultimately comes down to your preferences, environment, and budget:

Choose Cedar for a refined, natural look and immediate stain/paint readiness.
Choose Pressure Treated Pine for unmatched value, strength, and resilience.

Need Help Deciding?

Schedule a call with one of our pergola specialists, or send us a message with your questions. Whether you’re looking for rustic elegance or strong performance on a budget, we’ve got the perfect pergola kit for your outdoor living area.