Cedar decking never goes out of style and has a long history of use in decking and housing. It’s a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks, and resists moisture absorption, but does need to be maintained with some type of stain.

It has a rich, warm aesthetic offering a range of natural hues, tight grain patterns and soft textures. Fresh cut cedar will come in a wide range of honey/peach shades of light brown. When exposed to weather, it will change in color to silver gray.

There are many environmental factors that determine the lifespan of a cedar deck. If you choose not to maintain your deck during its lifespan, it will be exposed to seasonal changes, freezing and thawing, as well as hot sun exposure without any protection from these elements. The cedar’s natural defenses towards rotting will be diminished, which will reduces the lifespan of an unmaintained deck to 10 to 15 years. Performing maintenance every five years will almost double the life of a cedar deck compared to a deck that is not maintained at all.

An infrequent maintenance cycle includes power-washing and sanding the deck’s surface, sealing it with a vapor barrier which keeps moisture from entering the wood, and replacing or tightening any loose or warped deck boards. A cedar deck that gets an annual inspection, cleaning, sealing, and periodic board replacement could last 25 to 40 years or even longer.

The deck must be sanded periodically to remove any rough areas. Spot removal is readily done with a rotary tool and a nylon brush attachment dipped into a cleaning solution. The inspection and maintenance should also include the underside of the deck. Annual maintenance will prevent the elements from drastically shortening the lifespan of your cedar decking, depending on your local climate and the quality of the support posts.