Is Cedar Good for Fencing?

If you love the rustic charm of wood fences, you’ve probably heard of cedar. While there’s no denying the beauty of the rich color for a privacy or picket fence, we need to determine whether it’s actually worth the investment. Cedar fencing is highly praised for having a long lifespan and being naturally resistant to water and insects. What’s more is that it eventually turns into a silvery-grey color if left untreated. The only issue with using cedar is that it is expensive upon initial installation. The following article goes over everything you should know about whether cedar is worth it for fencing.

Cedar Fencing Benefits: Why Everyone Loves It

Cedar is considered to be an elite fencing material. And for good reason too. It doesn’t warp much over the years, looks beautiful, and doesn’t require chemical treatments to stay strong. So, if you’re thinking about choosing cedar wood for fencing your home, this section goes over all the things that make it worth it.

• Rot Resistance

One of the key advantages of having cedar fencing on your property is that it doesn’t succumb to rot or insects. So, once the fence is in place, the natural oils and acids present in the wood repel termites, ants, and other bugs. These natural protectants also prevent it from rotting.

• Dimensional Stability

Intense heat and heavy rain usually lead to wooden fences expanding, shrinking, or splitting. However, when you use cedar wood for fencing, that doesn’t happen. The wood species largely retains its flat alignment even when years pass, making it a good choice.

• Extended Lifespan

Ideally, when you get your fences installed, you don’t want to think about getting them replaced for at least a decade. Compared to other wood species like spruce and pine, cedar doesn’t decay. So, property owners who take the plunge don’t have to worry about a replacement for 15-30 years.

• Eco-Friendly Fencing

Whether you’re an eco-conscious individual or you just want to keep your kids and pets safe, cedar is also a great choice. Since it doesn’t need any chemical treatments, it doesn’t harm the environment in any way during or after the residential fence installation service.

• Boosts Curb Appeal

Cedar wood is widely celebrated for its rich reddish brown color. So, if you want to elevate the appearance of your property, selecting cedar wood for marking your property boundaries is definitely a worthwhile investment.

• Beautiful Patina

Adding to the cedar fence advantages is the fact that cedar wood naturally ages into a cool silvery-grey as time passes. This looks exceptionally beautiful on properties that are situated on the coast. So, if that’s something that you’d like to have, it’s worth it.

• Highly Customizable

Since cedar is so porous, it is highly receptive to stains and treatments if that‘s what you want. You can easily paint it to complement your property’s appearance or have it sealed by an expert to preserve its original reddish brown color.

The Other Side Of The Cedar Fence: Drawbacks You Should Know Of

All of that being said, just like other fencing materials, cedar wood also has a few downsides. The material is costly to install. What’s more? It requires metal bases to stay standing over the years. The following section lists a few things about cedar fencing that you should be aware of before picking it for your property.

• Costly Installation

Thanks to all the benefits of cedar fencing, it does cost a pretty penny upon first installation. So, many homeowners who want wood eventually opt for spruce or pine fencing.

• Ground Contact Vulnerability

Even though cedar doesn’t succumb to rot and warping, if it’s installed directly into the soil, it does rot. So, fencing contractors actually have to install metal or pressure-treated pine for the foundations.

Conclusion

In the end, cedar fencing is a beautiful choice that adds to the value and charm of your property. It lasts 15-30 years; ages into a cool patina; and doesn’t require any treatments to resist rot or insect infestations. The only downsides are that it can’t be directly installed into the ground and it’s quite expensive. We hope this blog helped you decide whether cedar is good for fencing your property. For more insights, please feel free to drop us a line.

FAQS

What kind of nails should I use?

You should use stainless steel or galvanized nails for the fence.

What kind of cedar is used for fencing?

Western red cedar is the top choice for fence installations.

What is the price of cedar wood fencing?

Cedar wood fencing can cost you $35 to $46 per linear foot.