Fences have a big impact on the appearance, value, and security of a property. These structures are designed to mark the borders of the property, limit access, and even improve the level of privacy depending on the type of fences the property owner chooses. Fences are made from different materials and serve different purposes so it’s important to determine what you need the structure for and then choose an appropriate material. One of the most popular fencing materials is cedar and this article discusses some of the major advantages of cedar in fencing.
1. Privacy
One of the primary reasons why people choose wood fences over metal or wrought iron ones is privacy. Metal fences are usually made from thin but strong bars that help keep the property secure but don’t provide much privacy. Cedar fences are made from thick and wide planks that don’t allow people standing outside the property to see what’s inside, which provides increased security.
Cedar fences provide the best of both worlds because they keep the property secure and ensure you have absolute privacy. You can also place the cedar planks farther apart if you don’t want to obstruct the view of the area beyond the property. This allows property owners to choose what level of privacy they need.
2. Durable
Cedar is a hardwood species that is naturally resilient. It can withstand rain, snow, heat, and exposure to the sun easily, which is why it’s considered one of the best wood species for outdoor installations. Cedar wood has natural oils that repel insects and resists rot. You don’t need to apply special treatments and coatings on the wood to protect it from outside elements.
Softer woods like pine need to be treated and must be coated to resist outdoor conditions. Without this, the wood will become damaged and infested by pests. This coating needs to be reapplied regularly in order to protect the wood underneath.
3. Maintenance
Cedar wood doesn’t require as much maintenance as other wood options available in the market. It doesn’t need to be stained, coated, painted, or polished. All you need to do is clean the wood one every few months to ensure it looks good. If you see any signs of mold or moss, remove it quickly and clean the area carefully to remove the stains left behind.
Other wood species like pine and even metal fences like wrought iron require more care and maintenance. This means the fences made from these materials have a higher cost of ownership and are more likely to become damaged because of poor maintenance.
4. Appearance
Cedar is a beautiful wood with stunning wood grain detailing. It looks great even if it’s not stained. When it is unstained, it’s natural color can fade with exposure to sunlight and turn into a pale gray shade. Many property owners like the weathered look so they don’t apply any kind of stain over the fence.
If you want to preserve the color of the wood and bring out the grain details, you can apply stains and polish on it. This enhances the richness and vibrancy of the wood’s color, and adds a layer of protection. Cedar wood gives you options and is customizable, so it can fit in easily with the architecture of the property.
5. No shrinking and warping
One of the best advantages of cedar is that it doesn’t shrink, warp, or become damaged over time. Other wood species don’t age gracefully and need to be replaced eventually. Cedar planks remain straight and well-aligned, which preserves the integrity and appearance of the fence.
This wood doesn’t just last for a long time; it also maintains a good appearance for a number of years, which ensures the property owners don’t feel a need to replace the planks often. This reduces the cost of ownership.
6. Scent
Cedar emits a pleasant natural fragrance that lingers in outdoors of your property. While pine has a good fragrance to it as well, it gets disguised by the chemicals and coating needed to protect it from damage and pest infestations.
As you can see, cedar fences offer a number of great advantages that make the slightly higher initial investment worth it. With proper maintenance, these fences can easily last for decades and keep your property secure. Cedar fences also have a positive impact on the overall value of the property and can make it more appealing to prospective buyers.
If you want to know more about Cedar fences or for any other type of fence, feel free to call us at (210) 600-3343. You can also fill in the contact us form or email us at superiorfenceco.sa@gmail.com.
