For most Jacksonville homes, pressure-treated wood is the better value of the two. It costs less, resists rot and bugs, and holds up well in NE Florida's heat and humidity. Cedar looks and smells great, but it is softer, costs more, and needs more upkeep in our climate.
- Pressure-treated runs about $20-30 per square foot installed and is the practical pick for most decks here.
- Cedar is prettier and naturally bug-resistant, but it weathers fast in Florida sun and needs sealing every 1-2 years.
- If you want wood looks with almost no upkeep, composite (Trex or MoistureShield) at $28-42 per square foot is worth a look.
For most homeowners in Jacksonville, pressure-treated wood is the smarter of the two choices. It costs less, fights off rot and termites, and stands up to our heat and humidity. Cedar is beautiful and naturally bug-resistant, but it is a softer wood that fades and weathers fast in Florida sun, and it costs more to buy and keep up.
| Material | Installed cost (per sq ft) | Florida durability | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $20-30 | Strong (resists rot & termites) | Seal every couple of years | Best value, most homeowners |
| Cedar | Above pressure-treated | Good but soft; fades fast in sun | Clean & seal every 1-2 years | Natural wood look & feel |
| Composite (Trex, MoistureShield) | $28-42 | Excellent | Almost none | Wood look, lowest upkeep |
| AZEK PVC / Ipe hardwood | $20-30 | Excellent | Low | Premium look, great value |
| Pavers / aluminum | Priced by project | Excellent | Low | Custom patios & low-maintenance |
That is the short answer. But the right pick depends on your budget, how much upkeep you want to do, and what you want the deck to look like in five years. Here is the plain-English breakdown for NE Florida.
The Florida problem: heat, humidity, and storms
NE Florida is hard on wood. We get long stretches of high heat, heavy humidity, sudden downpours, and salt air near the coast. All of that speeds up rot, warping, and mold on any real wood deck.
On top of that, decks here have to handle storms. Florida's wind code calls for structures to stand up to roughly 130-150 mph wind, depending on where you are in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, or Clay County. The wood you choose matters less for wind than how the deck is built and fastened, but it is one more reason to start with a material that resists moisture and decay.
How pressure-treated handles it
Pressure-treated lumber is wood that has been forced full of chemicals that fight rot, fungus, and termites. That treatment is exactly what you want in a humid, buggy climate like ours. It is the most common deck wood in Jacksonville for a reason: it works, and it is affordable.
The trade-off is movement. Pressure-treated boards often arrive damp and can twist, crack, or cup as they dry out in the sun. A good builder lets the wood settle and fastens it correctly so it stays flat. Left alone, it fades to gray. Sealed every couple of years, it keeps its color and lasts longer.
How cedar handles it
Cedar is a softwood with natural oils that resist bugs and rot without chemicals. It is lighter, smells great, and has a warm, even grain that many homeowners love. It also runs cooler underfoot than some materials, which is a nice perk on a hot deck.
The catch in Florida is that cedar is soft. It dents and scratches easily, and our strong sun bleaches it to gray quickly if you do not seal it. In our humidity, cedar usually needs cleaning and a fresh coat of sealer every 1-2 years to stay looking good and to reach its full lifespan. Skip the upkeep and a cedar deck can look tired in just a few seasons.
Cost: cedar vs pressure-treated in Jacksonville
Price is where pressure-treated wins clearly. Installed, pressure-treated decks run about $20-30 per square foot. Cedar usually lands above that because the lumber itself costs more and takes more care to install well.
To put it in real terms, a standard 12x12 deck runs roughly $2,900-$6,000 installed, depending on the material, the height, railings, and site conditions. Pressure-treated sits at the lower end of that range. Here is how the common deck materials compare:
What about composite and other materials?
If your main goal is a wood look with almost no upkeep, it is worth comparing both of these woods against composite. Composite decking, including Trex and MoistureShield, runs $28-42 per square foot installed. It costs the most up front of any option we build, but you never sand, stain, or seal it, which can save real money and weekends over the years. We are an authorized Trex and MoistureShield contractor, and you can see the full breakdown on our composite decking in Jacksonville page.
There are also premium real-wood and PVC options. AZEK PVC and Ipe hardwood come in at $20-30 per square foot installed, which makes them a strong value for the look and durability you get. Pavers and aluminum are priced by project. For a deeper look at every wood option we offer, see our wood decks in Jacksonville page.
Not sure which material fits your yard and budget? Call Jacksonville Deck Builders at (904) 944-9253 for a free, no-pressure quote built around your home.
Upkeep and lifespan
Both woods need care in Florida, but cedar needs more. Plan on cleaning and resealing cedar every 1-2 years to keep it from graying and to protect the surface. Pressure-treated is more forgiving. It still benefits from sealing, but it shrugs off rot and bugs better thanks to the treatment.
With good upkeep, pressure-treated decks tend to last longer than cedar in our climate, mostly because cedar's softness shows wear faster here. Either way, a deck built right and sealed on schedule will outlast one that gets ignored.
Quick way to choose
- Pick pressure-treated if you want the best value, solid durability, and a deck that handles Florida humidity without a big budget.
- Pick cedar if you love the natural look and smell of real wood and you are happy to seal it every year or two.
- Consider composite if you want a wood look with almost zero maintenance and you are okay spending more up front.
Why build with Jacksonville Deck Builders
Jacksonville Deck Builders is a Coastal Outdoor Construction brand. We have built decks across NE Florida since 2013, with more than 500 decks completed across Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay counties. We are a Florida-licensed general contractor, fully insured, and rated 4.9 stars on 70 Google reviews.
We focus on new builds and full deck replacements, so whether you are replacing a worn-out pressure-treated deck or starting fresh, we will help you pick the material that fits your home, your budget, and Florida's climate. We build to code for our wind zone and finish the job so your deck lasts.
Ready to talk through cedar, pressure-treated, composite, or something else? Call Jacksonville Deck Builders today at (904) 944-9253 for a free quote, and we will help you choose the right deck for your yard.