Wood Information

Wood fence is a great choice for property owners looking for a cost-effective, earth-friendly fencing option that will blend into virtually any environment. A few advantages to buying/installing a wood fence include:

• Cheaper, inexpensive compared to other options such as vinyl or aluminum.
• Can provide full privacy (if desired).
• Can be painted with any color paint (giving you more styling options).
• Can be stained and UV treated to prevent rotting and splitting.
• Wood is a very versatile material that can be formed into any shape.
• Wood is biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
• Can increases your property value.

Although wood fence is a great option for homeowners there are a few disadvantages to this type of fencing material:

• It has a limited life, typically 15 – 20 yrs depending on how the fence is maintained and the species and quality of wood used to create it.
• Untreated fence posts and panels could be vulnerable to fungus and dry rot.
• Needs painting and regular maintenance, especially in areas of extreme weather (cold, heat, rain, etc.)
• Exposure to the elements will often lead to weathering, discoloration, fading, cracking as well as dimensional fluctuations including warping, shrinkage, and swelling.
• Highest maintenance compared to other fence types.
• Vulnerable to termites and other insects.

Pressure- and chemically-treated wood pickets or cedar-style planks are a popular pick for outdoor structures as a whole—gazezbos, decks, pergolas, and more—and assembled as a fence, they offer privacy at a wallet-friendly cost. While this more economical fencing option is a perfect choice for fence posts inserted in the ground (treated wood resists both insects and moisture), its fence pickets have a tendency to warp or twist as quickly as one month after installation. 

Maintenance Tip: Seal or paint treated  for a better look, and replace warped planks as needed.

Cedar, the king of backyard privacy fencing, is known for its long-lasting good looks—tight grain, fewer knots, and a desirable red hue—and its promise never to warp or shrink. While cedar also naturally resists decay and insects, this wood is not as impervious to soil as treated wood and will likely rot after several years set in it. If you choose to build a fence from cedar, it’s recommended to install in a concrete base or secure to fence posts that are treated wood. You can customize the planks to create a variety of styles.

Maintenance Tip: Cedar naturally weathers to a silvery gray, and a fence of this material will require maintenance, including occasional plank replacement. For long-lasting color and protection, apply a penetrating sealant immediately after installation and annually thereafter.