ALL FENCES SHOULD HAVE PRESSURE-TREATED POSTS, unless you use galvanized steel posts. Cedar or Cypress will surely not last when in contact with the ground. Pressure treated posts are treated for in-ground use, so there’s no doub’t your fence will be better off with pressure-treated wood posts. Stringers (2×4 horizontal runners nailed to the posts to support you pickets) can be either pressure-treated or Cedar. Typically pressure-treated stringers are used since they are cheaper than Cedar. IMPORTANT: A 6′ high pressure-treated fence should have 3-stringers. Pressure treated fence built with only 2 stringers will surely have problems, such as a larger space in the mid-section of the fence. You can get by with 2 for Cedar since Cedar doesen’t warp and twist as bad as pressure treated. Cedar doesen’t shrink as much as pressure-treated. NOTE: All wood used on fence will shrink. Looking at the new fence being installed around Houston, it’s not hard to spot the Painters/Fence companies, or the Roofers/Fence cpmpanies, and so on. A professional fence contractor knows these facts and will probably do a better job on your fence. A rot board (typically a 2×6 pressure-treated board nailed to the bottom of your fence) is a good idea when using Cedar. This keeps the Cedar from making contact with the ground, and also prevents damage to your pickets fron weed-eating, mowing, etc.
Southern Outdoor Specialists reccomends Staining and Preserving your fence with Wood-Defender Stains, the best product on the market. Look at it like this, if you have wood siding on your house, or wood soffit, you will paint it to protect it from the elements. With the average cost of replacing your fence between $4000 – $6000 it just makes since. Staining your fence will not only help protect your fence, but beautify it, and keep it that way for years to come. Check out our Staining and Preservation page for pictures and more information on Wood-Defender Stain products.
