ComparisonsMarch 29, 2026Updated June 4, 2026

Cedar vs Cumaru Fence — Which Wins in LA's Climate?

Cedar is the most popular fence wood in North America. Cumaru is rapidly displacing it in premium LA builds. Here's the honest comparison for the LA climate specifically — including when cedar is actually the right choice despite costing less.

Written by

Israel Acquino — Founder & General Contractor · CSLB #964664

4.9from 127 verified LA homeowners

CSLB #964664Bonded · $2M InsuredLifetime Warranty

Lifespan in LA's climate

Western Red Cedar in LA: 8–14 years with annual sealing, 5–8 years if neglected. Cumaru in LA: 25–35 years with optional periodic oiling, 20–25 years if left to weather naturally. The 3x lifespan delta is real — and structural. Cedar's open cellular structure absorbs moisture quickly and dries quickly, which means cycles of expansion and contraction that fatigue the wood. Cumaru's tight cellular structure resists moisture infiltration and stays dimensionally stable.

Real cost over 25 years

200-foot cedar fence, fully installed: $14,000 ($70/ft). Annual sealing for cedar: $1,200/year. Replacement around year 12: $14,000 again. Total 25-year cost: roughly $42,000–$50,000. 200-foot Cumaru fence: $26,000 ($130/ft). Optional sealing every 24 months: $700 each, so $7,000 over 25 years. No replacement within the 25-year window. Total 25-year cost: $26,000–$33,000. Cumaru wins by roughly $9,000–$24,000 over the lifecycle.

Day-one aesthetic differences

Cedar has stronger grain pattern and warmer reddish-brown color day one. Cumaru is honey-amber with tight, glassine grain. Both look great on installation. By year 3, cedar has typically faded to silver-grey with spot weathering and visible board cupping. By year 3, Cumaru has settled into a deeper amber tone with no visible movement. By year 8, cedar typically needs major refinishing or partial board replacement; Cumaru still reads as recently installed.

When cedar is actually the right call

Three scenarios. First: short hold — selling the home in 4–6 years and don't want to spend on premium hardwood. Second: HOA-mandated cedar — some traditional-style HOAs (parts of Pasadena, San Marino, certain Bel Air districts) explicitly require cedar to maintain historical aesthetic. Third: hybrid build — cedar fence body with Cumaru caps, posts, and rails. The hybrid gives 80% of the premium look at 60% of the cost, and we build it routinely for budget-conscious clients.

Why we don't build pressure-treated SPF anymore

The Home Depot 'budget fence' option (pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine, kiln-dried after treatment, cheap dimensional lumber): we used to build with it for budget projects. We stopped around 2018 because LA's UV plus humidity destroys it within 5 years. The chemical treatment leaches with rain, the wood cups violently in summer heat, and clients call us back angry within year 4. Cedar is a real wood with real lifespan. PT SPF is a trap.

Questions homeowners ask

Cedar vs Cumaru Fence — Which Wins in LA's Climate? — frequently asked

What about Western Red Cedar 'clear' grade?

Clear cedar (no defects, tight grain) costs roughly 50% more than standard knotty cedar — which puts it in the $115–$155 per linear foot range, very close to Cumaru territory. We almost never see clear cedar specified for fences anymore; if you're paying premium-tier prices, Cumaru is the better wood.

Can I stain cedar to look like Cumaru?

You can match the color initially with semi-transparent stain, but the underlying grain pattern and weathering behavior remain cedar's. By year 2 the staining will look obviously different from real Cumaru.

Does the hybrid cedar + Cumaru cap fence really last 25 years?

The Cumaru caps and posts will. The cedar body will need refresh at year 8–10. Hybrid builds typically have a 'phase 2' refresh of just the body boards around year 8 — keeping the same Cumaru frame and just updating the fill panels for $5,000–$9,000 on a 200-foot fence.