The Durable Type Of Wood That Makes A Great Choice For Fence Pickets

Building a fence is a fairly simple project, but it can have a major impact on your outdoor space for years to come. Because of this, it's necessary to choose a material that's both long-lasting and beautiful. If a wood fence is right for you, there are plenty of different kinds of wood to consider before you start your project. For many reasons, including its durability, cedar makes a great choice. 

Picking cedar for your pickets means you're choosing a rot-resistant wood that can stand up to the elements. Although you should still take steps to limit excess moisture, such as from your sprinklers, this wood can withstand a lot of rain. Cedar fence pickets will outlast pressure-treated pine boards, staying sturdy and looking good for up to 20 years or more. The natural oils that help the cedar pickets resist rot also have an insect-repelling quality, again helping your fence to last longer by avoiding damage caused by pesky bugs.

Although important, durability isn't the only reason to choose cedar for your wooden fence. You want your fence to look good, too, and most people find the look of cedar to be attractive. A reddish-brown wood with a tight grain and few knots, it doesn't require a colored stain or paint to look fit for the neighborhood. That said, if you want to keep your cedar picket fence looking as good as new, you will have to restain it every three to five years. Left to its own devices, cedar fence pickets will naturally weather to a pale gray color and lose their reddish-brown tone. As with any other material, you should perform regular wooden fence maintenance to keep it looking pristine year-round.

As part of that ongoing maintenance, you should also reapply a wood preservative to the base of your cedar fence posts. This can help these portions of your fence last longer. In the below-ground portion of your posts, the earth's natural dirt and moisture can erode the natural oils that protect your above-ground cedar pickets from decay. Using a wood preservative at the base and post caps on the top extends your posts' durability. With its additional qualities like a pleasant scent and sound-blocking ability, cedar wood is a great, long-lasting choice for your fence pickets, especially if you take the time to maintain it.