For 50+ years, pressure-treated pine has been the preferred choice of fence companies. If you’re looking to build a wooden fence in Auburn/Opelika, the odds are good that the fence company you’re looking at is likely planning on using pine for your wood fence. And typically with good reason; pressure treated, ground-contact pine is a low-cost, practical option for people looking to build a good fence for a moderate budget. To their point, that idea still holds true today – if you’re looking for the most cost-effective solution in the short term, pine is probably the way to go, especially for a privacy fence. However, with the prevalence of lumber yards producing more lumber of varying quality post-COVID, the rise of cedar fences has created a new premium fence solution that offers significantly more long-term advantages.
1. Fence Construction Cost
New fences can range significantly in cost due to terrain, distance covered, HOA regulations, and more. When it comes to cedar fences vs. pine fences, pressure treated pine has a slight advantage. Pine is one of the most common types of planks created by lumber mills, and are therefore typically cheaper to acquire and use. Cedar, while still common, is still less likely to be in high-supply, leading to a nominal cost increase. Pine is typically much lighter than cedar, meaning it’s slightly easier to install and move for your fence company.
2. Fence Durability
One distinct advantage that wooden cedar fences will have over pine is long-term durability. Cedar is significantly less likely to warp, twist, bow, or shrink over time. This means that your fence will stay straighter and sturdier longer than pine will allow. Similarly, there are a variety of natural resistances that cedar offers due to natural oils within the wood. Cedar is resistant to rot, insects, moisture, and more. These are the same oils that give cedar that distinct, slightly reddish-brown hue. Since cedar fences have these natural protections, you will have treat your fence fewer times over the course of it’s life.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
Fence designs can go many different ways with pressure treated pine. With pine accepting wood stains very well, a home owner could build a pine fence and then have it stained to have the same natural look as a cedar fence. However, that same stain will have to be reapplied at a certain point to maintain the look of the fence.
Most fence construction companies like Auburn Fence Companies, if they offer a premium cedar fence option, will elect to use cedar fences for the panels/planks, while using pressure treated pine for the posts and ground contact parts of the fence. This allows your fence to save money where possible while still maintaining the rustic elegance and quality that a premium cedar fence can offer.
