What You Need to Know About Cedar Fencing

It’s hard to beat the beauty and durability of cedar wood, especially when it comes to outdoor applications like decking, siding, and fencing. In today’s blog, the lumber experts at AIFP answer all of your questions about cedar fencing.

Is Cedar or Pine Better for a Fence?

When it comes to fencing, cedar tends to be a lower maintenance, stronger, and more durable option than pine. Not only do the natural oils in cedar wood deter insect attacks, but they can also prevent warping, rotting, and shrinking without much maintenance. Pine wood, on the other hand, requires pressure treatment, annual cleaning, and regular sealing, repainting, or re-staining. That said, pressure-treated pine has a stronger resistance to soil, which is why some people choose treated pine for the actual fence posts and cedar for the fence panels.

How Long Does a Cedar Fence Last?

It depends on whether or not your fence is treated and stained, as well as the climate of where you live. While untreated cedar fences tend to last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, treated and maintained cedar fencing can last up to 40 years. That said, cedar fences can start to grey in as little as six weeks if they aren’t painted or stained. While this won’t effect the durability of the fence, if you want to take advantage of the signature red coloring for as long as possible, you’ll want to stain your cedar fence as soon as possible.

How to Preserve a Cedar Fence?

If you want your cedar fence to last as long as possible, there is some maintenance you’ll have to do. First, you’ll want to stain the fence once the wood has dried and re-stain it every five to seven years afterward. You should keep the area around your cedar fence clean of debris, including removing any piles of leaves, vines, weeds, etc. Every year, you should clean the fence with a soap-and-water solution and check the fence for any rotting or loose boards, repairing them as soon as you notice the damage. If your cedar fencing is graying, you can also pressure-wash it to retain some of its natural red coloring for as long as possible.

Should You Stain a Cedar Fence?

While you don’t necessarily have to stain a cedar fence, our lumber experts recommend doing so to help bring out the natural beauty of the cedar and to help preserve its look for longer. Many stains, for example, offer UV protection which can help preserve the natural reddish color of the cedar from the sun. If you do decide to stain your cedar fence, you’ll want to choose an oil or acrylic/oil blend that is suitable for exterior applications and you’ll like need to re-stain every five to seven years.

How Much is a Cedar Fence?

Cedar tends to be more expensive than other types of wood. That said, its natural properties can mean less maintenance and a longer lifespan, which can end up saving you money in the long term.

Where to Buy Cedar Fencing?

Looking to buy some cedar fencing for your next big construction project? At AIFP, we trade cedar pickets, posts, rails, and split rails for all of your fencing, pallets, and DIY needs. Whether you’re looking for Downfall, #3, #2, or appearance grade Inland Red Cedar, Western Red Cedar, or Incense Cedar, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to learn more about how AIFP can help you meet your diverse construction, manufacturing, and industrial needs. In the meantime, check out our lumber blog, where we cover other building materials we trade, including plywood, southern yellow pine, and dimensional lumber