Cedar Wood Cost 2026: Real Prices Per Board Foot
Quick Answer
Cedar wood typically costs $4 to $9 per board foot, though a real July 2026 lumberyard price list shows Western Cedar boards ranging from $2.99 (1×4) to $10.50 (2×8) per linear foot depending on size. Grade, species, and dimension all shift the price – knotty cedar runs $2 to $5/bf while clear, knot-free cedar runs $4 to $8/bf. A cedar privacy fence adds installation cost on top, running $25 to $55 per linear foot installed nationally in 2026.
Cedar wood costs $4 to $9 per board foot on average, based on current market pricing and a real July 2026 lumberyard price list. That figure swings widely, though – a 1×4 Western Cedar board can run under $3 a foot while a thick 2×8 runs over $10. Below, we break down real per-board pricing by grade and species, project-specific costs like fencing and decking, and how to avoid overpaying. If you’re pricing cedar specifically for a raised garden bed, our cedar species and grade comparison for raised beds breaks down which grade is actually worth the extra cost.
Real Cedar Lumber Prices (July 2026)
Most cedar cost guides quote a vague “$X to $Y per board foot” range with no real source. Here is an actual current price list from a real lumberyard, The Wood Yard in Concord, GA, last updated July 2026:
| Cedar Type & Size | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cedar (clear grade), 4/4 | $7.50 | per board foot |
| Western Cedar, 1×4 | $2.99 | per linear foot |
| Western Cedar, 1×6 | $3.60 | per linear foot |
| Western Cedar, 1×8 | $5.55 | per linear foot |
| Western Cedar, 2×6 | $8.75 | per linear foot |
| Western Cedar, 2×8 | $10.50 | per linear foot |
“The prices listed are the base prices for each type of lumber… Prices and availability are subject to change at any time.” – The Wood Yard, Concord, GA (price list, July 2026)
Note that lumberyards price boards two different ways: by the linear foot (a flat rate per running foot of a specific size) or by the board foot (a volume measurement: thickness x width x length ÷ 12, in inches). A 1×6 board is roughly half a board foot per linear foot, so the Wood Yard’s $3.60/linear-ft price on 1×6 cedar works out to about $7.20 per board foot – right in line with the wider $4-$9/bf market range reported by Home Depot and other retailers. Bulk quantity discounts are common too – buying 20+ board feet at once typically knocks $0.35-$1.05 off the per-foot price at most yards.
Factors Influencing Cedar Wood Prices
Cedar wood comes in different quality grades. Clear-grade cedar (free of knots) costs more – typically $4 to $8 per board foot – because it takes a straighter, cleaner-grained section of the tree to produce. Knotty grade, with visible knots, runs $2 to $5 per board foot and gives a more rustic look.
The source of the wood matters too. Locally milled cedar is usually cheaper than cedar shipped in from another region, since freight adds directly to the price. Dimension (thickness, width, and length) also drives cost – thicker, longer boards use more raw material and cost proportionally more, as shown in the pricing table above. Finally, seasonal demand plays a role: prices tend to firm up in spring and summer building season and soften over winter.
Types Of Cedar Wood
Western Red Cedar is the most common cedar species sold for outdoor projects, known for its rich reddish-brown color and natural decay resistance. It typically runs $5 to $10 per board foot, matching the $2.99-$10.50/linear-ft range seen in the pricing table above depending on board size — for a furniture-specific breakdown of six cedar species by hardness and price, see our best cedar for outdoor furniture guide.
Eastern White Cedar is lighter in color and softer than Western Red Cedar. It’s commonly used for shingles and fencing, and typically runs $4 to $8 per board foot. Eastern Red Cedar (technically a juniper, not a true cedar) is prized for its aromatic wood and is often used in closets and chests – it runs closer to $3 to $6 per board foot, and the Wood Yard’s clear-grade Eastern Cedar 4/4 at $7.50/bf sits at the upper end of that range.
Worth knowing: most lumberyard “cedar” sold in North America (Western Red Cedar, Eastern White Cedar) is not a true Cedrus species botanically – it’s from the cypress family. That doesn’t affect pricing, but it explains why “cedar” pricing varies so much between species that share a common name.
Cedar Cost By Project: Fencing, Decking & Furniture
Raw board pricing only tells part of the story – what a project actually costs depends on how much wood you need and whether you’re paying for installation. Here’s how the numbers break down for common cedar projects:
- Cedar privacy fence: materials alone run $8.50 to $16.50 per linear foot; add labor and a fully installed 6-ft cedar privacy fence runs $25 to $55 per linear foot at 2026 national rates. A 200-linear-foot fence project (a typical backyard) lands between roughly $3,700 and $9,300 installed.
- Decking/siding by the square foot: using the linear-to-board-foot math above, a 1×6 board at $3.60/linear-ft covers about 5.5 inches of usable width once installed, which works out to roughly $7-8 per square foot in material alone before fasteners, sealer, or labor. For a species-by-species breakdown of which cedar to actually buy for that deck, see our best cedar for decking guide.
- Specific board example – a 2x10x11′ rough-sawn cedar board: that’s 2 x 10 x 11 ÷ 12 = 18.3 board feet. At the general $4-$9/bf market range, expect roughly $73 to $165 for that single board, before any yard-specific pricing or delivery.
- A smaller board – 1/2 x 4 x 10′ cedar: that’s 0.5 x 4 x 10 ÷ 12 = 1.7 board feet, or roughly $7 to $15 at market rates.
- A DIY outdoor chair (e.g., an Adirondack-style build): most plans use 15-20 board feet of cedar. At $4-$9/bf, that’s about $60 to $180 in lumber alone – finished, ready-made cedar chairs cost more because you’re also paying for labor, hardware, and finish.
Cost Comparison With Other Woods
Cedar sits in the mid-to-upper price range compared to other common softwoods. Per The Wood Yard’s July 2026 list, White Pine runs about $3.75 per board foot and Poplar about $5.35/bf – both cheaper than cedar’s $4-$9/bf range. Cedar’s premium comes from its natural rot and insect resistance, which pine and poplar lack without added chemical treatment. Pressure-treated pine closes some of that durability gap but requires chemical treatment and doesn’t have cedar’s natural aroma or insect-repelling oils.
Redwood is cedar’s closest premium competitor and generally costs more – commonly $7 to $12 per board foot depending on grade – thanks to more limited domestic supply. Redwood’s color runs deeper red-brown, and it’s typically heavier and slightly stronger than cedar, while cedar remains lighter to work with and known for its scent.
Budgeting For Cedar Wood Projects
Start with the species and grade, since that swings your per-board-foot cost more than anything else – Western Red Cedar generally costs more than Eastern White Cedar, and clear grade costs more than knotty. Then factor in project size: bigger builds simply need more board feet.
Budget for extras beyond the lumber itself – fasteners, sealant, and (if you’re hiring it out) labor all add to the total. A few ways to cut costs: buy in bulk (most yards discount 20+ board-foot orders), watch for seasonal sales, consider reclaimed cedar, and do prep/finishing work yourself instead of paying labor for it.
Buying Cedar Wood
Cedar is sold through local lumberyards, home improvement stores, and online retailers. Local yards let you inspect grade and grain in person and often give buying advice, though prices can run higher than big-box stores. Online and big-box retailers tend to be cheaper and offer more size options, but you’re buying sight-unseen.
Maintenance And Longevity
Cedar’s natural durability keeps long-term maintenance costs low compared to woods that need chemical treatment, but it isn’t maintenance-free.
Maintenance Costs
Cleaning and resealing cedar every 2-3 years is the main ongoing cost. Skipping this doesn’t rot cedar quickly thanks to its natural oils, but UV exposure will gray the surface and eventually raise the grain, so periodic sealing protects both looks and lifespan.
Extending Cedar Wood Life
Protecting cedar wood from standing water and direct UV exposure is the single biggest factor in how long it lasts. A quality exterior sealer blocks moisture penetration and slows UV graying, letting properly maintained cedar last 20-30 years outdoors versus 15-20 years untreated.
Protect Your Cedar Investment
Thompson’s WaterSeal Transparent Sealer, Natural Cedar (1 Gallon)
Exceeds ASTM D-4446 waterproofing standard; a matched-tone transparent finish that seals cedar against moisture and UV graying without hiding the grain.
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
What Is The Average Cost Of Cedar Wood?
Cedar wood averages $4 to $9 per board foot. A real July 2026 lumberyard price list (The Wood Yard, Concord, GA) shows Western Cedar boards from $2.99/linear ft (1×4) to $10.50/linear ft (2×8), consistent with that range once converted to a board-foot basis.
How Much Does Cedar Wood Cost Per Square Foot?
For decking or siding boards, expect roughly $7 to $8 per square foot in material cost, based on real per-linear-foot board pricing converted to coverage area (a 1×6 board at $3.60/linear ft covers about 5.5 inches of usable width once installed). This is a materials-only estimate and doesn’t include fasteners or labor.
Why Is Cedar Wood Expensive?
Cedar costs more than basic softwoods like pine because of its natural resistance to decay and insects, aromatic oils, and appealing grain – properties that let it perform outdoors without chemical treatment. Clear, knot-free grades cost the most since fewer boards in a given log qualify.
Where Can I Buy Cedar Wood?
You can buy cedar at local lumberyards, home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, and online retailers. Local yards let you inspect grade in person; online and big-box retailers are often cheaper but sight-unseen.
How Much Does A Cedar Privacy Fence Cost?
A cedar privacy fence costs $8.50 to $16.50 per linear foot in materials alone, or $25 to $55 per linear foot fully installed at 2026 national rates once labor is included. A typical 200-linear-foot backyard fence runs roughly $3,700 to $9,300 installed.
Is Cedar More Expensive Than Pine?
Yes. Untreated white pine runs about $3.75 per board foot versus cedar’s $4 to $9 per board foot. Pine can be pressure-treated to close some of the durability gap, but it still lacks cedar’s natural insect-repelling oils and aroma.
Conclusion
Cedar wood runs $4 to $9 per board foot on average, with real 2026 lumberyard pricing showing individual boards from under $3 to over $10 per linear foot depending on size and grade. Add project-specific costs like fence installation ($25-$55/linear ft) or decking ($7-$8/sq ft materials) on top of raw lumber. Compare a few suppliers, buy in bulk where you can, and budget for a sealer to protect your investment long-term.
