Cedar is just one of the many options available for residential and commercial wood fencing. For thousands of years, the attractive wood saw a broad range of uses from furniture to ships to houses. Today, cedar can be commonly found as shingles, in outdoor furniture, and, more importantly, as fencing.
So what makes cedar so attractive in the first place? Plenty of things set cedar apart from spruce, pine, and other materials. Cedar not only offers picturesque looks, but it’s also highly durable and easy to maintain. The following points shed some light on the advantages that make cedar fencing a great choice for any home or commercial property.
- Natural Aesthetics
The natural beauty of cedar makes it an attractive and highly versatile option for wood fencing. You can choose from plenty of cedar varieties, but western red cedar is the most popular thanks to its uniform texture and straight grain. A cedar fence can complement most home styles. The material also lends itself well to numerous fence styles, including lattice top and picket fencing.
Another aesthetic benefit of cedar fencing is that its looks get better with time. With the right amount of care and upkeep, your cedar fence takes on a seasoned appearance that’s pleasing to the eye. You also have the option of staining your cedar to preserve its vibrant hue or letting it weather naturally to achieve a grayish color that adds character.
- Exceptional Durability
Cedar fences have a well-earned reputation for their longevity and durability. An untreated cedar fence can last up to 30 years with the right amount of care. A treated fence can last 40 years or more, depending on its overall upkeep. In contrast, spruce and pine fences have a far shorter life expectancy.
Cedar fences are also better suited to withstand the outdoor environment. When properly treated, cedar fences can shrug off heavy rainfall, snowfall, and direct sunlight that could potentially damage other woods. Cedar’s low density and low rate of shrinkage make it more stable than other woods, resulting in a longer lifespan.
Cedar also naturally regulates its own moisture content, making it less prone to warping or swelling than other wood types. This durability also helps cedar last longer than comparable woods.
- Low Maintenance
The care and upkeep of a cedar fence are remarkably simpler than other varieties of wood fencing. Whereas other varieties may need harsh treatments to stay clean, cedar fences only need minimal cleaning with mild detergents to keep dirt and debris at bay. You’ll only need to clean your fence once a year and weed the perimeter to prevent vegetation from coming in contact with the fence.
Treated cedar fences also require staining every two years to maintain its vibrant color. Clear sealers can also help preserve the appearance of weathered cedar without the danger of cracking, splintering, or warping.
- Resistance to Insects and Rot
Cedar is well-known for its repellant properties against insects that see other varieties of wood as a quick meal. Throughout the ages, people have used cedar to repel moths and other insects. In fact, wardrobe closets were commonly made from cedar as a built-in deterrent against a moth-eaten wardrobe.
The trick to cedar’s near-impervious defense lies with its natural oils. Cedar naturally contains oils that repel a variety of insects, including fire ants, carpet beetles, termites, and carpenter ants. These natural oils are also effective at warding off wood rot and mildew.
- Maximum Privacy
Cedar fencing is also ideal for creating an intimate environment in your own backyard. Some woods lack the uniformity needed to close off gaps and holes that can have an effect on privacy. Cedar boards can be grouped into a tight, solid wall that completely closes off gaps and eliminates holes. A high-quality cedar fence at the right height can turn an ordinary backyard into a cozy, exclusive place for family and friends.
- Sound Absorption
The same attributes that make cedar fencing effective for privacy also make it good for minor soundproofing. A cedar fence can dampen some of the louder, higher-pitch noises and even absorb a small amount of sound from outside sources.
- Green Factor
Like most other woods, western red cedar is a renewable resource. Since it doesn’t need kiln drying or chemical treatment like pine and spruce, a cedar fence features a much smaller carbon footprint. Other fencing materials such as steel and vinyl require a significantly higher carbon output for manufacture, making cedar one of the most eco-friendly materials available.
A cedar fence can do wonders to improve your home’s looks, privacy, and safety. When the time is right for a new cedar fence, let the professionals at Town & Country Fence take care of the installation and care. Contact us today to get started.
