A Professional Guide to Western Red Cedar Fencing

Date: May 8, 2024 Category: Product News

This picture depicts a backyard with a pool, beautiful landscaping and cedar fencing surrounding the outdoor area.

In the world of home building and design, the materials you choose can profoundly impact both the aesthetics and functionality of a project. Among the many options for fencing, Western Red Cedar stands out as a premium choice that is renowned for its natural beauty, practicality, and flexibility that allows it to fit perfectly in a wide range of design styles.

Let’s explore what exactly makes Western Red Cedar the superior choice for fencing and how this material can take your jobs to the next level.

Understanding Western Red Cedar

What is Western Red Cedar?

Western Red Cedar, a native species to British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest is celebrated for its rich color variation, ranging from light amber to deep honey brown. Its unique aroma and intricate grain patterns contribute to its visual appeal and make it an ideal material for fencing.

Key Properties of Western Red Cedar

Natural Durability: Rich in natural oils, Western Red Cedar is remarkably resistant to decay and insect damage, ensuring its longevity.
Workability: The wood’s softer texture allows for easy cutting and shaping to create intricate designs.

Advantages of Western Red Cedar Over Traditional Wood Fencing

This picture depicts a backyard with green plants and cedar fencing surrounding the outdoor area.

When it comes to selecting the right fencing material, it’s essential to understand the specific advantages of Western Red Cedar compared to other popular wood types like pine and Japanese Sugi.

Pressure Treated Pine Fencing vs. Western Red Cedar

Pressure-treated pine is a widely used material for fencing due to its affordability and availability. However, when it comes to durability, Western Red Cedar has a similar decay resistance to pressure-treated pine, but without the harsh chemicals.

Cedar fencing also requires less maintenance over time, as pine is more prone to warping and splitting, especially if not properly treated.

Japanese Sugi Fencing vs. Western Red Cedar

Japanese Sugi, an increasingly popular choice for home projects, is a durable option for fencing. When it comes to aesthetics, Western Red Cedar is darker than Japanese Sugi and has more obvious grain patterns, contributing to a more rustic, traditional fencing style.

The Environmental Aspect

Western Red Cedar, a sustainable and renewable resource, often has a lower environmental impact than other woods. Responsibly sourced cedar helps to ensure a minimal environmental footprint, which is an essential consideration for eco-conscious builders.

Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness

While the initial cost of cedar may be higher than some other woods, its longevity and lower maintenance requirements make it a more cost-effective option in the long run. Its natural durability means less frequent replacements and repairs, saving money over time.

Exploring Fence Styles with Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar offers a wealth of possibilities when it comes to fence design. Its versatility allows it to be crafted into a variety of styles, each lending a unique charm and character to a property.

Privacy Fences

This picture depicts a backyard play area with cedar fencing surrounding the outdoor area.

Full Privacy Designs: Cedar panels can be placed close together to create a solid wall for complete privacy.
Enhanced with Lattice: Adding a lattice top to a cedar privacy fence not only enhances privacy, it also adds an elegant decorative element.

Horizontal Slat Fences

This picture depicts a street with a car parked on the side of the road. There is cedar fencing separating the street from a residential backyard.

Modern Appeal: Horizontal slats made of cedar provide a contemporary and minimalist look that is a perfect compliment to modern home designs.
Varied Slat Widths: Mixing different widths of cedar slats can create a unique, eye-catching pattern.

Ranch-Style Split Rail Fences

This image depicts a close-up view of a fence.

Rustic Appeal: A split rail fence made from cedar logs can create a rustic, countryside feel that is perfect for larger properties or farmhouses.
Natural Fit for Landscapes: This style complements natural landscapes and blends seamlessly with outdoor settings.

Traditional Picket Fences

This picture depicts cedar picket fencing in a showroom.

Classic Charm: A Western Red Cedar picket fence can evoke a timeless, classic look that is ideal for cottages and traditional home styles.
Design Variations: Pickets can be cut in different shapes, like pointed, rounded or dog-eared, for a range of aesthetic choices.

Decorative Fences

This picture depicts an outdoor area with beautiful green grass and tall trees. There is cedar fencing separating one backyard from the neighboring home’s backyard.

Custom Carvings: Cedar’s workability allows for custom carvings or designs that can add a personal touch or artistic flair to the fence.
Incorporating Iron or Glass: Combining cedar with materials like wrought iron or glass can create an upscale, sophisticated look.

Garden Fences

This picture depicts cedar fencing being used to hold beautiful flowers and plants.

Garden Enclosures: Cedar fences can be designed to protect and enhance garden spaces to provide a beautiful backdrop for plants and flowers.
Trellis Integration: Integrating trellises with cedar fences offers support for climbing plants to add a living element to the fence.
Versatile Planters: Western Red Cedar can be used to create attractive and durable raised bed garden boxes that can provide ideal conditions for vegetable plots and flower beds while improving soil quality and drainage.

Western Red Cedar’s unique properties and versatility make it an excellent choice for various fencing styles. By opting for this sustainable wood, you’re investing in a fence that is not only durable and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

The Installation Process

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Cedar Fence

Planning: Determine the fence layout and be sure to pay attention to and follow local zoning laws and property lines.
Post Installation: Set the fence posts in concrete and make sure that they are level and properly spaced.
Attaching Rails and Panels: Secure horizontal rails between posts and attach the cedar panels or pickets.
Customizing Details: Add any decorative elements, such as caps or latticework.

Maintaining Your Cedar Fence

Regular maintenance can significantly extend the life of a cedar fence. Key aspects include:

Cleaning: Gently wash the fence to remove dirt and grime.
Inspecting for Damage: Check for any signs of wear or damage and make necessary repairs.
Applying Protective Finishes: Periodically apply stains or sealants to preserve the wood’s natural color and protect it from the elements.

Finishing Options for Cedar Fencing

Western Red Cedar’s natural beauty can be enhanced with various finishes. Options range from transparent stains that highlight the wood grain to solid stains for a more uniform appearance.

Embracing the Elegance of Western Red Cedar with Russin