A crew in my town switched from pressure treated pine to cedar for a whole neighborhood job and the difference after one winter was huge.

I watched them put up about forty sections last fall. Half the street got the standard pressure treated pine posts and pickets, the other half got full cedar. Fast forward to this spring, after all that snow and salt spray from the road. The pine sections already have that gray, weathered look and a few of the pickets are starting to cup a little. The cedar? Still looks almost new, just a nice silver tone, and it's dead straight. The foreman told me the upfront cost was about 30% more for the cedar. So here's the debate: is that extra cost worth it for the looks and maybe less maintenance down the line, or is pressure treated still the smarter buy for most jobs where the client just wants a basic fence that works? What would you guys push for?

4 comments

4 Comments

wadejenkins21d ago

You mention a 30% higher cost for cedar, which is a pretty big jump for looks. Most people just want a fence that stands up and does its job, not a showpiece. The pressure treated wood is still going to last for years before it really needs any serious attention.

kelly47021d ago

But how many years are we talking? The pine is already cupping after one season. That extra 30% might buy you a decade before you even think about replacing warped pickets or dealing with a shabby look.

finleym3720d ago

Yeah, I used to think like that too until I saw what @kelly470 said about the cupping. That extra cost for cedar starts to make a lot more sense when you're not fixing stuff every year.

sethm5820d ago

Used to think pine was fine, but cedar wins.