Why Wouldn’t You Want Cedar Wood For Your Next Project?

Building materials can fluctuate in price, and wood products vary widely in cost throughout the year. Lots of factors can influence the choices that you make when you are engaged in a construction project. You might be building a home or a business location, or even a shed, but you will need to think about the cost of materials as well as the practicality of your design before you start building anything.

You might need to find an alternative to cedar wood, even if you prefer this kind of wood for your building projects. Cedar is one of the most beautiful wood products around, but it is not always the right choice for every construction job. You should find out more about the pros and cons of cedar and other materials before you choose cedar over other building products.

Cons of Cedar Wood For Your Projects

There are various obvious cons when you choose cedar for your construction jobs. It is often quite expensive. Usually, cedar will be the most expensive option that you have available to you. This alone can make it impossible to choose cedar unless your budget is quite large. Global supply chain problems, shipping costs, and increased demand for cedar for use by larger builders are all driving the cost of cedar up in nearly every part of the world.

Cedar is also soft and prone to dents, scratches, and splintering. It might also not be sturdy enough for situations where load-bearing is required. Cedar can also be inconsistent in color or density. While this makes it charming in some environments, in other situations, it makes it a poor selection when stability and uniformity are required for a job.

Why Do People Choose Cedar Wood for Building Projects?

There are lots of pros that cedar can offer when you are building a home or business. Cedar is very pretty, and it looks so natural, which is ideal for certain kinds of aesthetics. Cedar resists pests, which can be perfect if you live in a place where termites and other insects can be an issue. Cedar is also very good at resisting water damage, which is great if you live in a place where there is a lot of rain each year or in places where there is sea air, which might harm your wood construction.

Cedar is very expensive, but many people still figure out the budget to pay for it because it has so many nice qualities that other building materials cannot lay claim to. That being said, there are notable cons that might make cedar a poor choice for your build. You should be aware of these possible issues before you commit to spending the money on cedar.

If you live in an area where you cannot even get cedar, rest assured that there are alternative wood types that you can pick instead.

What Are Alternatives to Cedar?

There are many alternatives to cedar if you want to have natural wood siding or natural wood components for your building. Cedar is not the only beautiful wood product that can replace basic lumber or basic siding.

·       Cedar

Redwood is a great choice when it comes to replacing cedar. It is strong and durable, and also resistant to insects. Redwood is the same reddish color as cedar and also comes in a wide array of shades naturally, making it perfect for unique and beautiful shingles and siding.

·       Douglas Fir

Douglas fir is often very budget-friendly and is very durable. It is a nice color, and it resists decay as well as pests. Fir also lasts for a very long time if you take good care of it, which can be important in many kinds of building projects.

·       Siberian Larch

Siberian Larch is very pretty and very durable. This is a more affordable choice than cedar, but it offers all the same benefits and the same unique appearance. Larch is also very strong if you need to have a lot of extra stability for your project. Its honey-red color is perfect for beautiful builds that are durable and will age well for years to come.

·       Pine

Pine is always a good option when you want to build with a beautiful and sturdy wood product. Pine is really affordable and just as pretty as cedar. It is less durable than some of the other wood products out there, however, which means that you will need to take good care of it if you want it to last for years into the future.

·       Alaskan Yellow Cedar

Yellow Cedar is durable and often a better choice than regular cedar. It can be more affordable, and it is just as pretty as the tried-and-true cedar that people are more familiar with. However, as with regular cedar, you might not be able to get this kind of cedar in your area, either. You will need to check on the availability of this wood as well if you are not able to get cedar where you live.

Cedar Isn’t the Only Durable and Beautiful Wood for Construction Projects

Cedar might be the prettiest wood around, but you can’t always get a hold of it. If you are not able to afford cedar, you do have other options. You will be able to pick from various kinds of wood products that you can count on to resist pests, hold up for years to come, and be sturdy enough for any task that is asked of it. Cedar can be quite costly, even if you can get it in your area, which might price you out of using it for your construction work.

If you love the look of cedar, but you are not able to use it for your construction project, you can use these other quality wood products instead. This is a helpful guide for those who want to use natural wood for siding or building components but don’t want to break the bank to do so.