3 Things To Know About Cedar Fencing For Your Yard
Choosing the right material for your backyard fence is important because the fence impacts the appearance of your property. Plus, you may also want a fence that lasts a long time so you don't have to replace the fence every few years or do a lot of repairs. Cedar is an excellent material for fences because it is durable and attractive. Here are three things to know about cedar fencing.
1. You Can Choose The Type Of Cedar
Red cedar and white cedar are commonly used for fences. They have similar qualities, and the type of cedar you choose may be determined by your geographical location. Fence builders may offer the type of cedar that's grown locally to keep costs as low as possible, but if you have your heart set on one type of cedar or the other, you can probably order the type you want.
Red cedar usually has fewer knots and is stronger, but white cedar has more oils so it could have a longer life. Both types of cedar are excellent fencing materials and last much longer than common wood such as pine or spruce.
2. You Should Plan To Stain The Fence
You can let cedar age and turn gray like any other type of wood, but your fence looks better if you stain it every few years. You can use a transparent stain so the natural beauty of the wood shines through. A stain protects the wood and slows down the process of oxidation that turns the fence gray. You can paint cedar too, but paint may not offer as much protection as stain.
3. Cedar Is Ideal For Kids And Dogs
Cedar has many good qualities when compared to lower-quality wood fences. Cedar dries naturally and doesn't need to be treated for insects, so you don't have to worry about your kids and pets getting close to the fence. The oils inside cedar wood repel insects and protect against water damage and rotting.
Cedar is a natural material, and it deteriorates with age, but its deterioration is slow compared to other types of wood. A cedar fence could last many years if you care for it properly. Cedar doesn't splinter as easily as lower-quality wood either, so it's a good choice when you have dogs that might jump against the fence or small kids that might pick at the wood.
Cedar is a good choice when you have a family and pets, but it's also a good choice from your perspective as a homeowner since cedar is high-quality fencing that adds value to your property, and it looks nice for years when you keep up with staining.
To learn more about cedar fencing, reach out to a fencing contractor near you.