Why Should You Consider a Cedar Fence?
When it comes to wood fence, there are many options for the design, height, material and finish. One of the more common questions is whether you should get a cedar fence.
Cedar fences are popular, but they do cost a fair bit more than treated wood fence. So is it worth it? Read on to find out!
Cedar Is Naturally Bug Repellent
Aside from rotting, one of the biggest problems with wood fences in general is that they tend to be targeted by insects. Even treated wood fences aren't completely immune. However, while cedar is not completely impervious to insects, it does contain natural insect repellent chemicals. In fact, cedar used to be used for trunks and other storage containers to keep moths away from clothes!
So, while you can never be 100% sure that insects won't target your fence, when you choose a cedar fence, you have a better chance of avoiding the bugs!
Cedar Fences Weather Well
Another good reason to consider a cedar fence is that this kind of wood usually weathers well. Which is why it's also a common choice for shingles and shakes.
Over time, cedar goes from a bright orange red colour to a weathered grey, but it looks great in both shades.
It Doesn't Need Staining
Because cedar weathers well, isn't attractive to insects and looks good when it's installed and as it ages, it doesn't need to be stained to look good.
This saves time and money during the installation of the fence, and cuts annual maintenance costs for your cedar fence and gates.
So How Much Does a Cedar Fence Cost?
That depends a lot on where you live, and how far the cedar needs to travel to get to you. However, usually, cedar fence will cost about 30 to 40% more than the same fence constructed in spruce and treated wood.
Of course, the cost of any fence depends on many factors like the site layout, design of the fence, fence height and more, so it's always a good idea to get a quote from a fence installer if you want to be sure what you need to budget for.
The upfront cost will be offset by lower maintenance costs and a longer lifespan though, so be sure to factor those into your decision whether to get a cedar fence or not.