Lumber Prices Canada: April 2026 Update — Down 3% from March

Lumber Market Snapshot: April 2026

After a bumpy first quarter, Canadian lumber prices are finally pulling back. SPF framing lumber (2x4) is trading around $420 per thousand board feet in early April, a 3% drop from March's $435 peak. That said, prices remain 8% above the 2025 annual average of $389, so they are still elevated by historical standards.

The pullback is welcome news for homeowners planning framing-heavy projects like basement finishing and deck building. On a typical 600 sq ft basement project, this lumber decline could shave $300–$800 off your total cost if the trend holds through April. Deck projects see even larger savings since lumber is a bigger share of the total.

What Is Driving the Decline

Three factors are pulling prices down. First, seasonal supply is ramping up as BC and Quebec sawmills hit peak production after the winter slowdown. Second, US housing starts cooled in March, reducing cross-border demand for Canadian lumber exports. Third, builder inventories are healthy — distributors restocked aggressively in January when prices dipped briefly, so the supply chain is less tight than it was in early 2025.

Hardwood Prices: A Different Story

While softwood framing lumber is easing, hardwood prices remain firm. Maple, oak, and cherry — key materials for kitchen cabinets and hardwood flooring — are running 5–8% above last year. The main culprit is tariff uncertainty on imported hardwoods, which has pushed cabinet manufacturers to pass costs through to consumers. This is one of the key drivers behind kitchen renovation costs rising across major Canadian cities this year, with cabinets leading the increase in most markets.

Impact on Renovation Costs by Project Type

Here is how the current lumber market affects major project categories:

• Basement Finishing: Moderate relief. Framing lumber is the second-largest material cost. A 3% lumber drop translates to roughly $200–$500 savings on a typical project.
• Deck Building: Direct impact. Pressure-treated lumber is the primary cost driver. Prices are tracking softwood futures, so deck quotes should ease by 2–4% in the coming weeks.
• Kitchen Renovation: Mixed. Framing is a small component, but elevated hardwood prices keep cabinet costs high.
• Fence Installation: Modest relief. Cedar fence boards have been relatively stable, tracking about 2% below their February peak.

What to Expect in May

Our analysts expect framing lumber to stabilize in the $400–$430 range through the spring building season. The key wildcard is US trade policy — any new tariff announcements on Canadian softwood could reverse the trend quickly. We will update this tracker monthly with fresh pricing data from our sourcing network.