The lattice around our house (which encloses a total of two porches) consists of Western red cedar lattice and "2-by" Western red cedar framing. I fabricated the framing out of an old red cedar picnic table that I salvaged (for free) and disassembled. I came by the lattice (which was new) via craigslist. Total cost (not including stainless deck screws) was about US$50 (and I still have eight sheets of 4X8 lattice left over - about $50 worth based on the $100 that I paid for the entire load). This was 8 years ago and I accomplished the mitered joinery solely via the use of screws (no glue, dominos, etc.).
Cedar lattice will last for many decades (or longer?) if protected by decent overhangs and properly guttered roofs (assuming proper allowance is given for regular drying). Toward this end, I also made sure to bed the bottom of the lattice in 3/4" crushed stone - a 2' deep X 3' wide band of which runs around the entire perimeter of the house; a crushed stone "drip line", if you will (even though the entire house is fitted with gutters meaning water doesn't actually "drip" from any of the eaves). We have full-on snow winters where we are and, aside from the cedar darkening/blacken'ing (which is easily removed, if desired, using a pressure washer), it looks to be in perfect condition (no rot, no insect damage, etc.).
As a related aside, half of the property is enclosed by northern white cedar fencing & posts (that we purchased and installed), and we used white cedar decking and trim on an out building (accompanying salvaged redwood clapboards over a rain screen wall), all of which is the same age (~eight years) and all of which is going strong. Cedar (and redwood, for that matter) will dramatically change color if one abstains, like we did, from the use of all finishes/preservatives, etc. We happen to like the natural color variations that result from exposure to the elements. To do it again, we would likely make use of the Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban since we've come to realize that we like the deep color it imparts to wood (and since it supposedly further adds to the wood's longevity). We've learned much about the ills of industrial toxics and now do what we can to totally avoid (or greatly minimize) our use of synthetic chemicals and materials, in all areas of life.
