Why Red Cedar Fences Outlast the Competition
There’s a reason neighborhoods are dotted with worn, graying fences that sag after just a few years while others maintain their rich color and sturdy structure for decades. The difference often comes down to two critical factors: the material chosen and the expertise behind the installation. When you’re investing thousands of dollars into your property’s boundary and privacy, understanding what separates a fence that lasts from one that disappoints becomes essential. At Woodcrafters Fencing, we’ve spent years perfecting red cedar installations because we’ve seen firsthand how the right approach transforms a simple fence into a lasting investment.
Our commitment goes beyond hammering posts into the ground—we’re dedicated to creating outdoor barriers that protect your property and maintain their beauty through countless seasons. The secret lies in understanding both the remarkable properties of Western red cedar and the installation techniques that maximize its natural strengths.
The Science Behind Red Cedar’s Exceptional Durability
Western red cedar isn’t just another lumber option at your local hardware store. This remarkable wood contains natural oils called thujaplicins that act as built-in preservatives, protecting against the very things that destroy ordinary fencing materials. While pressure-treated pine requires chemical injections to resist decay, red cedar produces its own defense system that repels insects, inhibits fungal growth, and resists moisture damage from the inside out.
The cellular structure of red cedar creates another layer of protection that often goes unnoticed. Unlike denser hardwoods that crack and split as they expand and contract with temperature changes, cedar’s relative softness allows it to flex and adapt to environmental stress. This means your fence boards won’t develop the gaps and warping that compromise both appearance and function over time. Research from wood science laboratories has consistently demonstrated that untreated red cedar outperforms chemically treated alternatives in outdoor applications, maintaining structural integrity for thirty years or more when properly installed.
Installation Techniques That Maximize Longevity
Even the finest cedar can fail prematurely when installation shortcuts are taken. We’ve rescued countless homeowners from poorly installed fences where posts rotted at ground level within three years or panels pulled loose during the first strong windstorm. The foundation of any lasting fence begins below the surface, which is why our team sets posts in concrete footings that extend below the frost line and employs drainage strategies that prevent water accumulation around vulnerable wood.
Proper spacing and fastener selection make equally important contributions to fence lifespan. We use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized hardware that won’t rust and stain your beautiful cedar, and we account for the wood’s natural movement by allowing appropriate gaps between boards. This attention to detail prevents the buckling and stress fractures that occur when fences are constructed too rigidly. The joinery methods we employ create stronger connections than simple face-nailing, distributing wind loads across the entire structure rather than concentrating stress at individual fastener points.
Weather Resistance That Goes the Distance
Your fence faces an assault from nature every single day. Ultraviolet radiation breaks down wood fibers, rain cycles soak and dry the lumber repeatedly, and temperature swings cause expansion and contraction that tests every joint and connection. Red cedar’s natural composition gives it a significant advantage in this ongoing battle, but our finishing and maintenance approaches provide additional protection that extends service life even further.
We recommend and apply penetrating oil finishes that enhance cedar’s natural weather resistance without creating the peeling, flaking problems associated with film-forming stains. These treatments soak into the wood rather than sitting on the surface, allowing the cedar to breathe while adding an extra barrier against moisture and UV damage. When you combine quality finishing with cedar’s inherent properties and expert installation, you’re looking at a fence that will serve your property reliably for generations rather than requiring replacement in a decade.
Building Your Lasting Investment
Choosing a fence shouldn’t feel like gambling on how long it might survive. With red cedar and proper installation expertise, you’re making a decision based on proven performance and natural advantages that lesser materials simply cannot match. The slightly higher upfront cost disappears when you calculate the true lifetime value and avoid the expense and hassle of premature replacement.
Contact Woodcrafters Fencing today for a free consultation where we’ll discuss your specific property needs and show you exactly how our red cedar installations provide the durability, beauty, and long-term value you deserve.