Redwood vs doug fir in roof

KarlJay

I'm doing a teardown/rebuild on my 72 year old house. Everything seems to be redwood, long boards, rafters... I'll be raising the ceiling while it's apart and need to replace some rotted wood.
Doug fir: $1.98 (2x4x8)
Redwood: $8
400% more for the redwood. I know the value of redwood in fences, but is it that much better?
Is it naturally dryrot / bug / water resistent.

I saw a CL posting where someone was selling old growth 'tight grain' redwood for $2500 it wasn't enuff to cover 1/2 my roof!

what is the big deal with redwood?

Daniel Holzman

Redwood is scarce, hence the price. Redwood is considered naturally rot resistant, is easily worked, is relatively strong, and is relatively light. It also looks good. However, the rot resistance seems to apply more to heartwood from older trees, which is really hard to find. Sapwood from young trees is not supposed to be as rot resistant.

OldNBroken

I may be wrong but I always thought redwood is not a structural wood. Doug fir is fine as long as it is not exposed bare to the elements.