Cedar vs Pressure Treated Pergola Wood Comparison
Our pergola wood comparison provides descriptions of the top wood choices for pergolas. Since the quality of your pergola depends on the materials and technique used to build it, buying a hand-built pergola kit made from top quality wood and hardware will make the difference in how long your pergola will last, and how it looks in your outdoor landscape.
Consider these important questions when you’re considering the different pergola kits offered online and in retail locations. What type of wood and hardware will be used – is it cheaply sourced? Lumber selection is very important for durability and longevity. Where are the materials sourced? What quality is the pergola wood you’re considering?
We hand-picked our wood types that align with long lasting beautiful wood pergolas. Our wood pergola kits are built using only premium quality lumber, and are wood types that are NOT sold at big box stores. Known for durability, our wood types are rough sawn western red cedar and dense select pressure treated southern yellow pine. Our pine pergola kits are built using dense select for the pergola top components and #1 for the pergola posts. The lumber we use is sustainability harvested in North America and are top-rated choices for outdoor living structures. Together with our time-tested design and skilled production technicians, these wood types ensure a beautiful structure that will last for many years of enjoyment.
We’ve been building quality wood pergola kits since 2008, and have created this simple pergola wood comparison to help customers decide which wood to choose. What features are important for your wood pergola kit? Quality? Durability? Price? For our Big Kahuna, Sombrero, Melbourne, Fedora, Brim, and Visor pergola kits we always use either western red rough sawn tight knot cedar or pressure treated dense select southern yellow pine lumber (our pine pergolas are built using dense select for the pergola top components and #1 for posts). Either choice ensures you will have a quality wood pergola. All of our pergola kits and cedar planter box kits are built using quality, durable wood that is able to withstand severe weather.
In addition to this wood type comparison, other helpful information for your backyard wood pergola include our guide to choosing a wood pergola and a comparison of pergola styles. The wood comparison below describes the two types of wood we offer for our high quality DIY pergola kits. Pressure treated pine, the most affordable pergola wood option, is rot and insect resistant. Much like pine pergola kits, western red cedar is also naturally insect and rot resistant, and can withstand severe elements. Start here with determining the best wood type for your backyard space.
Pergola Wood Comparison: Pergola Cedar vs Pressure Treated
Western Red Cedar Pergola Kit
Western red cedar is a beautiful light amber color with a wonderfully appealing fragrance that adds another dimension to its qualities. Two of the top reasons for choosing western red cedar for pergola wood are: 1) that it’s highly resistant to decay, and 2) that it withstands severe elements. These reasons make this wood type ideal for outdoor use, and it is used in situations where exposure to the elements is continually severe. It is lightweight with close, even grain, and is easily worked and can be finished smooth with little effort. This type of cedar takes paints and stains very well. Paint or stain can be applied to western red cedar as soon as you receive the pergola kit. Western red cedar is sustainably harvested in North America.
Pressure Treated Pine Pergola Kit
Pressure treated pine, the most affordable pergola wood option, is also very rot and insect resistant and able to withstand severe elements. Pressure treated pine has chemicals added to give it those properties. This wood type comes with a green appearance. As it dries it will turn to a golden brown, then gray if it is not water sealed or stained. You will need to wait a few months before staining or painting the pine lumber since it will be saturated with the pressure treatment when you get it. Southern Yellow Pine is sustainably harvested in the southeastern United States. If you price out pressure treated pine lumber in a big box store, you will not be pricing out the best quality pine lumber. Our pergola kits are built using premium quality pressure treated pine. We use dense select for the pergola top components and #1 for the posts.
Pergola Wood Comparison - Rough Sawn Western Red Cedar
- Rough Sawn
- Naturally Insect and rot resistant
- Able to withstand severe elements.
- Performs best in dry climates
- Light amber in color, will turn gray over time if not water sealed or stained
- Takes paints and stains well and can be painted, stained or water sealed immediately
- Contains no chemicals and is 100% natural; wonderfully appealing fragrance
- Rustic Look
The pergolas shown here are an attached custom size cedar pergola kit and a large cedar freestanding pergola – both built using rough sawn western red cedar.
Pergola Wood Comparison - Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine
- Smooth Sawn
- Very Insect and rot resistant
- Able to withstand severe elements
- Performs best in humid climates
- Comes with a green appearance, but dries to a golden brown color, then gray if not water sealed or stained
- Needs several months drying time before applying stain or water seal depending upon local climate
- Chemicals added to make it rot and insect resistant
- Pergola Depot pergola kits are built using dense select for pergola top components and #1 for pergola posts
- Classic Look
- Most affordable pergola wood option
The pergolas shown here are a Sombrero attached pergola kit and a large Big Kahuna freestanding pergola, both built using dense select pressure treated southern yellow pine and #1 for posts.
Pergola Construction: Hand-built vs Mass produced pergolas
When you’re making an investment in an outdoor area of your home or business, not only do you want the best materials, but you also want to consider the skill and reputation of the manufacturer.
Who is building the components of your pergola kit? Many times, lower cost pergolas are mass-produced. If you’re looking for a cheap pergola, that is not our brand.
Our pine and cedar pergolas kits are hand made in the USA that are hand cut and drilled right here in Melbourne, Florida. We took great care in designing our pergolas and accessories, we take pride in our work, and stand behind our products.
We thoughtfully designed our pergola styles to withstand severe weather conditions. Founded on hurricane-prone Florida’s Atlantic coast, our company’s flagship pergola kits were designed with durability and beauty in mind. Our best-selling pergola kit styles are engineered to withstand hurricane force 175 mph winds and are built using stainless steel hardware and durable wood types.
Take your time looking around at our pergola selections and let us know if you have questions! You can book a call with our pergola specialist or send us your questions.
Questions about Pergola Wood Types? Contact Us!
Feel free to schedule a call with one of our pergola specialists to review our pergola wood types and find out which will work best for your project. If there’s additional information you’d like to see in a pergola styles comparison, contact us and let us know!