Sorry for the typos! It should read “our contractor presented to us Alder, Maple, or BIRCH amongst other options. Sorry!!!

From a maintenance standpoint, cedar is bug resistant, but usually rough in texture, so cleaning it may be a hassle. PVC would be easy to maintain, just hose it off. And it won't rot. And you can paint it any color you want, I believe. I'd do a haint blue.

Not sure if you need to consider insects and possible damage. We now have carpenter bees to deal with in my area. They have drilled holes in my 10" cedar post pergola. Applying a yearly preservative/stain has kept them at bay but it still happened just this year. Looks like an amazing room.

Thanks. Apparently the PVC won’t play well with the space heaters we have installed in the ceiling. Heat plus plastic not a great idea ! Looks like we are leaning towards Maple and I’ll have to do my best with yearly maintenance. I live in termite town so that’ll be an issue as well.

I just finished screened porch. my builder suggested fir bead-board to cover rafters. its beautful and only needs a coat of polyurethane. could not be happier and its not expensive.

You don't mention budget. There are more termite resistant woods like ipe and teak, but they often cost more.

$1900 for ceiling of 13 x 16 porch.