Fences, Tall and Short

When looking to install wooden fencing, you typically choose between a cedar fence and a pine fence. Though both are viable options, it is essential to compare and contrast the characteristics of both fences before picking a suitable option.

Nonetheless, most fencing contractors often recommend a cedar fence over a pine fence for the following reasons:

Aesthetic Appeal

Though both cedar and pine woods can provide you with an aesthetically appealing wooden fence, cedar far outweighs pine in terms of appeal to the eye.

Cedar is more appealing because of its bright reddish color coupled with white accents. Additionally, cedar has a more beautiful grain pattern that gives it a rich and warm appearance. On the other hand, pine wood is available in light brown or creamy color that doesn't provide as much of an inviting feeling compared to cedar.

Thus, if you are looking to improve the curb appeal of your property with a wooden fence installation, you are better off with a cedar fence instead of a pine fence as far as appearance goes.

Ease of Installation

Pinewood is generally a heavier type of wood compared to cedar. As a result, fencing contractors tend to take a bit longer to install a pinewood fence because they have to contend with the burden of moving the heavy planks and posts of pinewood. Because of the extra time taken to install a pine fence, the labor costs for the work are usually high due to the number of hours billed.

On the other hand, cedar is a fairly light wood that is easy to lift and move around. As a result, installing a cedar fence takes less time compared to a pine fence. Therefore, the labor costs for installing a cedar fence are significantly less than those of a pine fence because the billed hours are also less.

Durability

Pinewood is mostly suited for indoor structures such as cabinetry because it is less resistant to outdoor conditions such as weather elements. Thus, installing a pine fence often means there is a possibility that the fence will start to shrink, buckle, and warp as time progress.

However, cedar is well adapted for outdoor conditions and can withstand even extreme weather conditions such as winter and extreme heat. Additionally, cedar can regulate its moisture levels to match its surroundings, which means that a cedar fence will not warp, buckle, or shrink under any circumstance, regardless of the outdoor conditions.

Thus, as far as durability is concerned, a cedar fence is a better option than a pine fence, especially in areas that experience extreme weather conditions.

Maintenance costs

Wood fencing is prone to rot and pest infestation, and thus it is essential to ensure adequate maintenance gets carried out to prevent the fence from getting damaged by such factors.

However, pinewood is more prone to the elements of weather, rotting, and pest infestation than cedar. As a result, a pine fence needs to get pressure-treated frequently to protect it from rot and pests. Additionally, due to its high vulnerability to rotting and pests, you can expect to conduct frequent repairs over time.

Cedar, on the other hand, is highly resistant to weather elements, pests, and rot. Thus, it doesn't require getting pressure-treated. Additionally, due to its resistance and durability, it is rare for a cedar fence to get damaged by natural factors such as weather or pests. Thus, with a cedar fence, you can expect minimal repair costs.

Therefore, as far as maintenance costs are concerned, a cedar fence will help you save money in the long run because it has minimal maintenance costs.