Backyard Fence: Cedar or Treated Wood

Home Depot doesn’t sell cedar planks, but Dyke’s Lumber does. Cedar is a bit more expensive than pressure-treated pine, but looks better and lasts longer. If left untreated, it develops a grey patina that has a satin sheen. Or you can have it sealed so it keeps the richer color. In order for pressure-treated pine to last, you will have to let it cure for a year, and then sand and stain it, and re-apply every 3 years or so.

marie-helene

in Carpenters and Woodworkers 11 years ago

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deva | 11 years ago

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I am now fixing up my backyard and my contractor couldnt find decently sized and priced cedar in Home Depot and instead is proposing to use pressure treated wood which he will stain and seal. I like these planks and do not mind that, but would I be making a mistake not using cedar? Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

nalusurf | 11 years ago

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The home centers don’t carry any good selections of cedar, you would need to get it from a lumber yard. That said, cedar is more expensive than treated, as you know. You can get cedar planks that are “clear” on one side and a rough finish on the other. Intended for clear side up, these are a bit less expensive and look great (I used them for an outdoor shower I built). As far as you making a mistake, it really comes down to what you want aesthetically. Cedar is naturally resistant to the elements and does not require treating or sealing and I personally love the natural weathered look it acquires over time. Treated wood stands up well against the elements but requires re-sealing over time and just doesn’t weather the same as cedar. You will spend more money up front with cedar, but less (in money and labor) over time in terms of upkeep and maintenance. IF you can afford the money up front, my vote is for cedar!

Arkady | 11 years ago

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My 21-yr-old fence is board-on-board treated & it’s still in terrific shape while those of neighbors that aren’t as old aren’t. The guy who did mine told me to wait a year & then treat the treated wood w/Thompson’s & it’s made a massive difference.

nalusurf | 11 years ago

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Yes, forgot to mention that, as Arkady said it is best to wait a full year before sealing treated lumber. It needs that first year to acclimate to the seasonal changes and dry out as treated lumber has a lot of moisture in it and won’t take in the sealer as well if it is too wet.

nalusurf | 11 years ago

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one more thing…if you go with the treated, be sure to give it a light pressure washing before you seal it. After a year of drying out and weathering this will remove the very top layer and allow the wood to take in the sealer better

daveinbedstuy | 11 years ago

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I’ve used both and it’s purely a matter of aesthetics.