Cedar Deck Board Prices: Cost and Price Ranges for Cedar Decking Boards 2026

Curchasing cedar deck boards involves evaluating cost across several factors such as grade, thickness, and board length. This article provides concrete price ranges in USD, with low, average, and high figures to help buyers budget accurately. The price you pay for cedar deck boards will depend on grade (clear vs. knotty), profile (notched or smooth), and local wood-market conditions. The goal is to outline typical cost drivers and show exact price ranges for planning a deck project.

Item	Low	Average	High	Notes
Cedar deck board price per linear foot	$2.50	$3.50	$6.50	Red cedar commonly; heartwood grades cost more
Deck board price per 16 ft board	$40	$60	$104	Based on 5/4 x 6 boards
Per square foot material cost (complete boards)	$4-$8	$5-$6	$9-$12	Includes waste factor

Assumptions: Midwest or South region, standard 5/4 x 6 boards, normal access, no premium finishes.

Cedar Deck Board Price Range by Grade and Size

The price for cedar deck boards varies by grade and thickness. Low-cost knotty red cedar typically runs around $2.50–$3.50 per linear foot. Mid-grade boards with fewer knots average $3.50–$5.00 per linear foot, while premium clear heartwood or tight-grain stock can rise to $5.50–$6.50 per linear foot. A standard 16-foot board at these rates translates to roughly $40–$104 depending on grade and waste. For many decks, buyers choose 5/4 x 6 boards (1 inch thick, 5.5 inches wide), which influences square-foot pricing and waste factors. Assumptions: typical residential project, standard 16-foot boards, region with moderate cedar supply.

Grade	Profile	Price per Linear Foot	Price per 16 ft Board	Notes
Knotty (Runneral)	Dimensional	$2.50–$3.50	$40–$56	Common and affordable
Mid-Grade	Smooth	$3.50–$5.00	$56–$80	Fewer knots
Premium Clear	Heartwood	$5.50–$6.50	$88–$104	Best appearance, highest cost

Major Cost Components in Cedar Deck Board Quotes

When budgeting cedar decking, the exact quote breaks into distinct components. Materials and waste are usually the largest share, followed by handling and delivery. A typical breakdown looks like this: Materials (cedar boards and fasteners) 60–75%, Labor for cutting and install 15–25%, Delivery 5–10%, and Waste/Overage 5–10%. The per-unit price for boards often includes minor waste and cuts. Assumptions: standard 5/4 x 6 cedar boards, no exotic fasteners, moderate slope, single-story deck.

Component	Typical Range	Notes
Materials (cedar boards)	$2.50–$6.50/ft	Depends on grade
Labor (installation)	$2.00–$4.50 per sq ft	Includes layout and nailing
Fasteners and hidden clips	$0.20–$0.60 per ft	Depends on system
Delivery/handling	$50–$150 per order	Distance-based
Waste/Overage	5–10%	Markup for cuts and mistakes

Variables That Strongly Impact Cedar Board Pricing

Final cedar board quotes hinge on several concrete drivers. Board length and grade are the top two cost levers, followed by regional cedar supply and access. In practice, choosing longer boards (20 ft) raises price per board and increases waste considerations. Local market tightness during peak season (spring) also pushes prices up by 5–15%. Other important drivers include Assumptions: typical suburban installation, 12–16 linear feet runs, limited access to a pickup or forklift.

• Board length and number of boards required for the deck footprint
• Grade choice (knotty vs premium clear heartwood)
• Regional supply volatility and shipping distance
• Access for delivery and staging, which influences delivery charges

Regional Differences in Cedar Deck Board Costs

Prices vary by region due to supply, climate, and merchant discounts. Coastal regions with higher demand may see a $0.50–$1.50 per linear foot premium compared with inland markets. For a standard deck, expect per-square-foot material costs of roughly $4.50–$9.00 in high-demand areas and $4.00–$6.50 in regions with robust cedar supply. A regional delta of up to 15% is not unusual. Assumptions: comparing similar grades and profiles across regions with typical trucking distances.

Region	Price Range per Linear Foot	Notes
Northeast	$3.50–$6.50	Higher knot density on many parcels
Southeast	$2.90–$5.50	Typically stronger cedar markets
West	$3.00–$6.50	Varies by state and transport
Midwest	$2.80–$5.00	Competitive pricing in large markets

How Length, Profile, and Layout Alter Per-Unit Cedar Costs

Board length, thickness, and profile change the price per square foot. Length increases waste if the layout requires more cuts; thicker profiles cost more per linear foot. A deck using 5/4 x 6 boards can range in total from $4 to $8 per sq ft for material, depending on grade and waste. If a project uses 8-foot boards instead of 16-foot boards, the per-foot price can drop due to simpler cutting and less waste. Assumptions: standard joist spacing, no intricate rail detail, single-level deck.

Parameter	Impact on Price	Typical Range	Notes
Board length	Increases waste when layout requires many joints	$2.50–$6.50/ft
Board thickness/profile	Thicker or specialty profiles cost more	$0.50–$2.00/ft
Deck footprint	More area means more linear feet	$4–$9/ sq ft materials

Seasonal and Market Timing for Cedar Board Prices

Pricing for cedar boards shifts with seasons. Spring and early summer often see higher prices due to demand and mill scheduling. Fall can bring modest price relief as demand cools, though supply variations persist. In heating-drought years or pest-related supply issues, expect a price uptick. Buyers who schedule off-peak installations may secure better freight terms. Assumptions: typical residential deck projects, standard supply chains, non-urgent timelines.

Season	Price Pressure	Typical Effect
Spring	High demand	Prices up 5–12%
Summer	Peak activity	Prices stable to up 5%
Fall	Modest relief	Prices down 0–5%
Winter	Low activity	Prices stable or slightly lower

Strategies to Lower Cedar Deck Board Costs Without Compromising Quality

Smart planning can trim costs without sacrificing durability. Bulk ordering of boards, selecting knotty or mix-grade stock, and careful layout to minimize waste are practical savings. Consider these approaches: choose uniform board lengths that fit the deck plan, use standard colors and profiles, verify regional stock before ordering, and compare quotes from multiple suppliers. Assumptions: a mid-sized deck project, budget-conscious scope, standard fasteners and clips.

• Buy standard lengths (12–16 ft) to minimize cuts and waste
• Balance grade with visual requirements and budget
• Request quotes from multiple suppliers and ask about bulk discounts
• Factor delivery costs and staging into the overall price
• Compare cedar with premium pressure-treated options if long-term maintenance is a concern

Cedar Deck Board vs Alternatives: A Quick Price Check

For buyers weighing cedar against alternatives, here is a concise comparison. Pricing for cedar boards generally sits between $2.50–$6.50 per linear foot depending on grade, which is higher than standard pressure-treated pine but lower than exotic hardwoods. In per-square-foot terms, cedar often lands in the $4–$9 per sq ft range for material, excluding labor. Compare this with pressure-treated pine at roughly $2–$4 per linear foot and Ipe hardwood at $8–$15 per linear foot. Assumptions: same footprint and finish, standard installation methods, regional price variance.

Material	Price Range per Linear Foot	Price Range per Sq Ft (Material)	Notes
Cedar (5/4 x 6)	$2.50–$6.50	$4–$9	Grade-dependent
Pressure-treated pine	$2.00–$4.00	$3–$6	Lower initial cost
Exotic hardwood (e.g., Ipe)	$8.00–$15.00	$12–$25	High durability, higher price

Summary: Cedar deck boards offer mid-range pricing with strong aesthetics and natural rot resistance, suitable for many U.S. climates. The precise price you pay hinges on board grade, length, thickness, and local market conditions, as shown in the ranges above.