3 Great Woods For Wooden Fencing Systems

10 March 2020
 Categories: , Blog

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Wood fencing systems are designed to make wood fencing easier to assemble and install. Instead of having to cut and place every post and beam, your installer (or even you, if you are handy) can just put together a few partially assembled pieces right on-site. However, one decision you will need to make when choosing a wood fencing system is the type of wood you want the fencing created from. Here are three of your best options.

1. Pressure-Treated Pine

Regular pine is not durable enough to be used as fencing. However, pine that has been pressure-treated has been heated, put under pressure, and treated with certain chemicals to increase its density. It is a really sturdy option that will not succumb to deterioration or rot, even when exposed to moisture and temperature changes. Insects like termites won't eat it. The only downfall is that you can't really stain pressure-treated pine. You can paint it, but the paint will need upkeep as with any other wood. The greenish color is unappealing to some homeowners.

2. Cedar

Cedar is a softwood, but it is well-suited to fencing because it contains natural oils that repel the bacteria and fungi that cause rot. You do not have to treat cedar in any way; you just let it breathe. It starts out a nice reddish color and weathers to a beachy gray over the span of a year or two. Termites and carpenter ants don't bother it, and it has an enjoyable scent. The only downfall of cedar is that is it not quite as structurally sound as pressure-treated pine. It is more likely to crack if you hit it with a lawn mower, a horse bumps into it, and so forth.

3. Cypress

Cypress fencing systems have a lot of the same advantages as cedar. Cypress is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage, and it does not need to be stained or painted. It is a little stronger than cedar, but it can be more pricey, especially in the northern U.S. where cypress does not grow readily. Cypress has a yellow-brown color with a bold grain, which is not everyone's favorite look.

Which type of wood is best for your fencing system? That depends on your preferences. Pressure-treated pine is widely available and incredibly durable, but cedar and cypress have more visual appeal. Weigh these options and talk to your fencing company to learn more.