Best Wood For Fencing: Pros And Cons Of The Top Options

When deciding on the right wood for a fence, it can be a pretty stressful task. Luckily for you, we’ve listed some great options that will explain the benefits of each type of wood.

So whether it’s long-lasting, great for staining, or the most affordable we’ll have it list out all the benefits.

It’s also important to factor in where you live, different woods work best in different weather.

We’ll also throw in a few additional tips to picking the best wood for your fence. So with that said let’s get started.

Cedar

The first option for a fence is Cedar. This wood contains natural oils which are great to keep away pesky insects.

Cedar is a great middle-ground wood that’s great for a lower budget.

A huge benefit is that Cedar is a rot-resistant wood which means it’ll be a lot longer lasting than most wood.

There are 2 ways to protect cedarwood. The first way is to satin, this will prevent the wood from turning a grayish color and increase its lifespan. The second option is to paint with acrylic to prevent the elements from wearing out the fence.

Cedar is the perfect option for anyone that may have a limited budget but wants the same benefits as a premier wood option.

Cypress

Cypress is also a rot-resistant wood. It contains a natural chemical that wards away insects, which make the lifespan much longer than other wood options.

Cypress trees are typically found the in south which is great for anyone that lives in the heat as this wood is resistant to quickly drying out.

Because this wood is native to the south, it can be a bit pricey due to transportation costs.

The best finish for Cypress is stain. By doing this you’ll not only preserve the wood but also give it a stunning new look.

Cypress is the perfect wood for anyone that’s looking for a solid yet beautiful option at the cost of a higher price.

Redwood

Redwood is the wood that stands above all else. Because of this, the price does as well. Redwood’s quality, durability, and aesthetic value make it arguably the best wood out there.

Redwood is heavily resistant to rot and insects but it’ still recommended to put a finish on this fence to extend the lifespan.

By staining, you’ll also prevent the wood from turning a grayish color and rotting.

This style of wood is perfect for any weather condition and is truly designed by nature to last an extremely long time.

So if the budget allows and you want the longest-lasting wood, the Redwood fence is the best option.

Questions To Ask When Choosing The Best Wood For Your Fencing

What Is The Local Weather?

This question is very important as wood acts differently in different weather.

For example, If you live somewhere that’s always hot, Cypress wood would be the best option as Cypress is primarily from the south.

If you’re in a place where the weather is all over the place a good option would be redwood as its the most resistant to weather.

What's Your Budget?

This question is common because when it comes to fencing there’s a wide variety of options. Obviously you want the best, but that’s not always possible. For a high-end wood, the best option would be Redwood and a more affordable option would be pine.

The perfect mix of affordable yet quality would be Cedar.

Bonus Tips

  1. The first and most important tip is to always finish the wood. By doing this you’ll not only give it a stunning look but more importantly, extend the life of the wood. This will save a lot of money and stress.
  2. The second tip is to go with a more quality fence over the cheapest option. Although it may hurt the budget at first, it’ll save time and money in the long run especially if you apply the first tip.
  3. Finally, you’ll want to make sure you select a wood that’s suited for your location. In general, all wood will stay strong but to extend life and save money, picking a wood that’s suited for your weather can help tremendously.

Final Thoughts

All in all, purchasing a fence can be a very stressful and costly investment. But the benefits will surely outweigh the cons if done properly. You’ll finally get the peace and quiet you’ve been searching for. The best way to keep the fence staying strong is by finishing it with stain, picking a wood that’s suited for your weather, and maintaining the fence.

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