At ArkansasPergolas.com & Shadeworx, we take pride in building long-lasting, beautiful pergolas using only high-quality wood. The material you choose plays a big role in the durability, look, and cost of your pergola, and we want our customers to make an informed decision. That’s why we offer three trusted wood options—Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, and Cypress—each with its own advantages.

1. Douglas Fir: Strength Meets Affordability

If you’re looking for a pergola that combines affordability with outstanding strength, Douglas Fir is your best bet. This wood is one of the strongest softwoods available, making it ideal for structural applications like pavilions & pergolas. Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows us to span larger distances with fewer supports, creating a more open and airy design.

While it’s the most budget-friendly option we offer, Douglas Fir doesn’t compromise on performance. It takes stain well, so we can customize the finish to match your home’s aesthetic. However, since it’s less naturally resistant to moisture and insects compared to our other options, it does require a quality sealer or stain to enhance its longevity outdoors.

2. Western Red Cedar: The King of Outdoor Woods

When it comes to natural beauty and long-lasting performance outdoors, Western Red Cedar reigns supreme. This premium wood is naturally resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage, making it an ideal choice for pergolas that need to stand up to Arkansas’ changing weather.

Western Red Cedar boasts a rich, warm color and a distinctive grain pattern that gives any backyard a touch of elegance. It also remains stable over time—meaning fewer warps, cracks, or splits. If you want a pergola that not only performs but also makes a bold design statement, this is the top-tier option.

3. Cypress: The Balanced Choice

Cypress is often considered the bridge between Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. It offers many of the same natural resistance properties as cedar, including durability against moisture and insects, while generally coming in at a more moderate price point.

Cypress has a beautiful, lighter color with tight grain, and it stains beautifully. It’s a great option for homeowners who want something more refined than Douglas Fir but are looking for a more economical choice than Western Red Cedar.

Why We Don’t Use Pressure-Treated Pine

While pressure-treated pine is a common material in outdoor construction, we do not use it for pergolas—and for good reason. Pressure-treated pine may resist rot and insects, but it comes with several downsides. It’s prone to warping, cracking, and twisting over time, especially in Arkansas’ humid climate.

More importantly, pressure-treated wood contains chemical preservatives that can be harsh and potentially hazardous in residential environments, especially if the pergola is near areas where children or pets play. We believe our customers deserve better—natural beauty, long-term durability, and safer materials.