Is cedar much cheaper than teak?

Yes. Western red cedar costs $3–$6 per board foot. Teak costs $20–$40 per board foot — making teak 4–8x more expensive in materials. A cedar bench might use $60–$100 in lumber; a comparable teak bench could cost $350–$600.

Cedar vs Teak for Outdoor Furniture — Which Is Better?

Q: Is teak or cedar better for outdoor furniture?

Teak is more durable — lasting 25–50 years outdoors versus cedar's 10–20 years — and requires far less maintenance. Cedar costs 4–6x less and is available at any hardware store. Choose teak if longevity is the priority. Choose cedar if budget is the priority. Both are legitimate outdoor furniture woods.

Q: How long does cedar last outdoors compared to teak?

Cedar lasts 10–20 years outdoors with proper maintenance (exterior oil applied every 1–2 years). Teak lasts 25–50 years with minimal or no maintenance — it can be left completely untreated and remains structurally sound for decades, simply turning silver-grey.

Q: Can cedar outdoor furniture be left outside all year?

Cedar can stay outside year-round but requires an exterior finish — oil or stain applied annually or biannually. Without finishing it will grey, check, and deteriorate within 1–2 seasons. Unlike teak, cedar does not have natural oils sufficient to protect it when completely untreated.

Direct Answer: Teak is more durable (25–50 yrs vs 10–20 yrs) and needs far less maintenance. Cedar costs 4–6x less and is available at any hardware store. Choose teak for longevity. Choose cedar for budget. Both are proven outdoor furniture woods.

Cedar vs Teak — Side by Side

Factor	Western Red Cedar	Teak
Outdoor lifespan	10–20 years	25–50 years
Natural rot resistance	Good	Exceptional
Water resistance	Moderate	Exceptional
Maintenance	Annual/biannual finish	Minimal — optional
Can be left untreated	No — deteriorates	Yes — turns silver-grey
Cost per board foot	$3–$6	$20–$40
Ease of working	Excellent — soft, easy	Moderate — dense
Availability	Any hardware store	Specialty dealers

Why Teak Wins on Durability

Teak contains natural silica and oils that actively repel water, resist fungal decay, and deter insects — working from inside the wood, not from a surface coating. A teak bench left completely untreated for 20 years turns silver-grey but stays structurally sound. The same cedar bench without maintenance would be checking and potentially rotting at the joints by year 5.

Why Cedar Is Worth Considering

At $3–$6 per board foot, cedar costs what teak charges per linear inch. It's at every hardware store in standard sizes, works easily with basic tools, and has genuine natural rot resistance from its aromatic oils. Maintained properly — exterior oil every 1–2 years — cedar outdoor furniture is a real 15-year investment. That's a legitimate choice, especially when a full cedar dining set in materials costs less than a single teak plank.

Maintenance Compared

	Cedar	Teak
Year 1	Apply exterior oil or stain before first outdoor season	Nothing required
Ongoing	Re-apply every 1–2 years	Optional teak oil every 1–2 years to keep golden colour
If you skip it	Greys, checks, begins deteriorating	Turns silver-grey — still structurally sound
Best product	Cabot Australian Timber Oil	Star Brite Premium Teak Oil

Browse Exterior Wood Oils on Amazon →

Which Should You Choose?

Choose teak if: You want to build once and not think about maintenance. Budget is not the primary constraint. You want furniture that genuinely lasts a lifetime.

Choose cedar if: You're working to a tight budget. You're happy to oil the furniture each spring. You want materials available at any hardware store today.

For a three-way comparison including white oak — the best mid-range option between cedar and teak — see our complete outdoor wood durability guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is teak or cedar better for outdoor furniture?

Teak is more durable (25–50 yrs vs 10–20 yrs) and requires less maintenance. Cedar is 4–6x cheaper and available at any hardware store. Choose teak for longevity, cedar for budget. Both are legitimate outdoor furniture woods that have been used for centuries.

How long does cedar last outdoors compared to teak?

Cedar lasts 10–20 years with exterior oil applied every 1–2 years. Teak lasts 25–50 years with minimal or no maintenance — it can be left untreated and stays structurally sound for decades, simply turning silver-grey in colour.

How much cheaper is cedar than teak?

Western red cedar costs $3–$6 per board foot. Teak costs $20–$40 per board foot — 4–8x more expensive. A cedar outdoor bench might use $60–$100 in lumber. A comparable teak bench could cost $350–$600 in materials.

Can cedar outdoor furniture be left outside all year?

Cedar can stay outside year-round but needs exterior finishing. Without oil or stain applied annually it will grey, check, and deteriorate within 1–2 seasons. Unlike teak, cedar does not have sufficient natural oils to protect itself when completely untreated.