Table of Contents
How far off the ground should a cedar fence be?
In most applications, a wood fence should be installed at least two inches off the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them) should be the only fence components that contact the ground. Wood pickets should never touch it.
Do you need to leave a gap between cedar fence boards?
When building a solid privacy fence, the fence boards are either butted tightly together, or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch apart to allow the wood to expand and contract in wet and dry weather.
How thick should cedar fence be?
Our fence boards are full 3/4″ thick. This thicker board means less resistance to splitting and twisting, and older slow growth boards have a tighter grain to prevent shrinkage.
Is cedar or pine better for a fence?
Cedar is generally regarded as the stronger and more durable of these two woods. It does not need any special treatment and stands up well to the elements, with a low risk of warping and shrinking. Pine, on the other hand, is more at risk of buckling, warping, and shrinking.
Can you put fence boards tight together?
For solid privacy fences, the fence boards can be butted tightly together or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch apart to allow for wood expansion and contraction during varying weather conditions.
Should a fence be level or follow the ground?
However, a level lot makes fence installation easier, which appeals to DIY novices. To make this decision, consider your land’s degree of slope. If there’s only a slight incline, leveling the lot makes sense. However, if your yard features a more drastic incline, consider working with the land’s natural topography.
How do I keep my fence board from warping?
To avoid swelling and shrinking, boards should be stacked uniformly according to thickness. The stickers placed between the boards should also be vertically aligned and lying flat. Lumber piles should also be placed on flat ground. Sometimes, cupping can be prevented by stacking weights on top of stacked lumber.
Do cedar fence pickets shrink?
Even though it’s the most commonly used wood, it is actually not the best wood for fence pickets—Cedar pickets are actually far more durable because they don’t shrink or warp and don’t need much maintenance or stain, unlike pine. Cedar is a straight grain wood that lasts much longer naturally and even longer stained.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Typically, fence posts are spaced between six and eight feet apart. The corner posts are set first. To align all of the posts in between, stretch a line from each corner post to work as your guide.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 cedar?
Cedar that is graded #1 comes from closer to the heart of the tree than #2, and has fewer and smaller knots. The knots that it has are “quality knots”, meaning that they are less likely to fall out and become holes in your fence. #2 grade cedar will have many small knots and also large knots and blemishes.
What is the difference between cedar and red cedar?
The main differences between white cedar and red cedar are in terms of durability and strength. Red cedar is slightly stronger than white cedar fence. It’s less prone to knotting. White cedar fencing lasts longer than red cedar fencing.
What are the disadvantages of cedar wood?
Disadvantages of Cedar Wood Decking: Cost- Just like composite, cedar can be much more expensive than other wood. Fades to a weathered grey over the years, which can be a drawback to some people.
Does cedar need to be sealed?
Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. If you’re using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.
Is cedar better than pressure treated?
Cedar is stronger and more durable than pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated lumber can warp and weather within a few years if left untreated, while cedar is more capable of naturally keeping its shape. However, cedar is more susceptible to cosmetic damages, such as dents and scratches.
Is it better to screw or nail a fence?
Screws do a better job at holding wood together, binding two boards more tightly than a nail. Screws also stay fixed in place for a lot longer too, while nails can loosen overtime. So, if you had to choose between the two, you should opt to secure a fence with screws.
Should a fence touch the ground?
Should the Fence Touch the Ground? In most cases, no fence materials other than your fence posts should touch the ground. Allowing your fence to touch the ground makes yard maintenance more difficult and may increase the speed at which your fence suffers moisture damage, depending on the fence material used.
What is racking a fence?
Racking means adjusting the fence’s rails so that it matches the slope beneath it while the pickets and posts remain vertical. To rack a fence you’ll need to: Measure the angle of the slope, and then calculate the angle of the cuts that are needed on the rails.
How do you keep a wood fence from turning gray?
Use exterior oil-based stain or latex paint, which will seal out moisture, prevent wood rot, limit the amount of weathering and extend the life of the wood. Choose a stain or sealant with a UV inhibitor to help keep the wood from turning gray. Let the wood dry for about a week before applying a stain or sealant.
