6 Cedar Fence Ideas for Your Yard
Browse these beautiful & long-lasting cedar fence ideas!
Cedar is a classic choice for homeowners when it comes to fences! It is durable and long-lasting and a cedar fence will have a longer lifespan than most other types of wood. On top of that, cedar wood has a beautiful color and natural oils that resist decay, weathering and insects. Let’s learn more about cedar and its benefits and the different types of cedar fence styles you can choose from!
Cedar fencing is a very popular type of wooden fence. A couple of examples of cedar commonly used in fencing are Western Red Cedar, White Cedar or Japanese Cedar. A cedar fence is instantly recognizable by its eye-catching red coloring and unlike other types of wood it has this beautiful color without even being stained. Many homeowners choose cedar for their fences because it is more durable than other types of wooden fences. On top of that, cedar is naturally weather resistant and repels most bugs.
Here are some types of cedar wood you can use in your wooden fence. Each fencing material comes with its own pros and cons, so check out each type of fence to get an idea of each style of fence, its benefits and why people use it.
Japanese Cedar is a type of cedar that is often compared to the Western Red Cedar. Japanese Cedar is slightly less expensive than Western Red Cedar but also has a beautiful reddish tone to the wood. Japanese Cedar is newer to the market and appears to be a quality and lower cost
White Cedar is a great choice for a wood fence design because of its natural oils that protects it from mold, warping, insects and weathering from UV rays. White Cedar is lighter than Western Red Cedar wood and has a slightly yellow color. It is a cost effective choice that is environmentally friendly because it does not need to be kiln dried or treated with chemicals.
Western Red Cedar is a classic choice if you are looking to have a cedar fence installed. Out of the types of fences you can get made out of cedar Western Red Cedar is the most popular for residential fences because of its durability and beautiful red coloring. It is ideal for uses in outdoor spaces because of its natural oils that protect it from weathering, rotting and bugs.
Once you’ve decided on the type of cedar wood you want to use in your new fence, you need to decide on what style of wood fence you want to get. Here are some ideas of different styles of cedar wood fences for your fence project!
What could be more classic than a picket fence? The picket fence has been used in front yards across America for decades. Picket fences consist of vertical posts with pointed tops, or pickets, and horizontal rails near the bottom and just below the top of the pickets. There will be evenly spaced posts to stabilize the cedar picket fence.
A cedar privacy fence is a great way to not only make sure that no one can see into your backyard but can also increase curb appeal. A privacy fence is typically at least six feet tall and contains minimal gaps. For a cedar privacy fence, try a picture frame style where there are vertical panels without gaps and top and bottom rails that “frame” the fence.
If you want a traditional backyard fence, the cedar dog ear fence is the perfect choice. The vertical panels have a rounded shape on the top of each panel. For a twist on this tried and true fence design, try the shadowbox style. Vertical panels are nailed to alternate sides of the top and bottom rails in a pattern that provides privacy from straight on and a peak through from close up.
For a modern twist on a traditionally rustic fence, try a modern cedar fence design. One design idea for modern cedar fences is called a box wire fence. For this fence design, cedar wood posts are combined with metal or plastic wiring on the inside. This type of fence is both stylish and cost effective. It was traditionally used to keep animals in, but now has a place keeping pets or children inside without obstructing the view!
Explore an array of captivating wire fence ideas in our comprehensive style guide blog!
Another modern style of fence is called a horizontal fence. In this case, the fence consists of horizontal cedar panels and evenly spaced fence posts that offer support for the fence. The gaps between the horizontal panels can range from no gaps to minimal gaps. This horizontal cedar fence can definitely increase curb appeal for your home!
A split rail fence, like the box wire fence, got its start in rural areas but is increasingly being constructed for residential uses. This rustic fence consists of two or three horizontal rails supported by evenly spaced posts. This is a great fence option for a front yard and if you are not looking for privacy or to keep pets and small children inside your yard.
Cedar fence costs can vary depending on what type of cedar wood you decide to use in your fence project. Western red cedar fences are the most expensive, and the most durable. White cedar and Japanese cedar will cost a bit less, and while still durable will not last quite as long as western red cedar. They could also have more knots. On average though, a cedar fence will cost you $33 per linear foot to be installed on your property. Cedar fences are more expensive to install than vinyl fences. The cost per linear foot includes both material costs and installation costs. Overall, an average cedar fence costs between $2,500 and $5,000 to have installed.
A cedar fence can last you much longer than a fence made out of other, less expensive types of wood. That’s why so many homeowners are willing to pay a little more upfront to get a fence that will be durable and stand up to the elements. Cedar wood contains oil that naturally resists weathering, decay, rot, and insects. In nature, cedar trees can last for centuries. It is no surprise that the wood from cedar trees is such a great choice for fence projects. When used for fences, cedar wood does not have to be treated like other types of wood to last for a long lifetime. Untreated cedar fences can last for years before they need to be replaced. On average, a cedar fence can last for 15-30 years. Some homeowners decide to treat their cedar fences in order to maintain the original color. Cedar wood’s natural oils do protect the fence from decay but this protection is finite.
While cedar is a great choice for fences there are other types of wood that are commonly used for fence projects. One of those types of wood is pine. First of all, a pine fence costs much less than a cedar fence. On average, a pine fence costs $1,500-$3,000 whereas a cedar fence can cost up to $5,000. Pine wood is less expensive and easier to obtain than cedar wood. On the other hand, pine wood is less durable than cedar wood and has a shorter lifespan. Also, cedar wood has a more beautiful, natural color than pine.
Although cedar is more durable and long-lasting than many types of wood used for fences, redwood is the exception! Redwood is measurably stronger and more durable than cedar wood in fences. Both types of wood contain natural oils that give it the reddish color and repel insects. Both have similar requirements as far as staining and maintenance. Redwood is more expensive than cedar wood in fences - it costs about 15% more to have installed on average. Remember though, it will last longer.
Cedar wood is stronger and more durable than pressure treated wood in fences. The downside is that cedar can get a little pricey and if you are on a budget you may decide pressure treated wood is a better idea for your fence project. Pressure treated wood needs more maintenance and will not last as long as a cedar fence. There are a wide variety of stains that can be applied to pressure treated wood to give it different hues and colors. This type of wood requires yearly staining and finishing. Cedar will cost you about 20-30% more than pressure treated woods.
If you are planning your fence project and have an idea of what type of wood you would like to use in your fence, our experts are ready to talk to you about how to move forward. Get in touch with Ergeon and we will help you compare the pros and cons of the different types of wood based on your needs, budget and the climate of the area where you live!
Fence Guides
Fence Guides
Fence Guides
