Ok I'm building a privacy fence and I have a few quesitons.

I am only going to live in this house another 2-5 years so keep that in mind.

1) I know Cedar is mostly the way to go but should I use Treated lumber for the 4x4 posts? It's cheaper and won't Cedar rot at the ground?

2) Won't Cedar turn grey after a while anyway? Why shouldn't I just use Treated Lumber for everything?

 

In my climate (dry) cedar takes 5+ years to turn all the way gray. But most people think it still looks good gray.

I had some new fences put in a few years ago. The reason the old fence failed after about 18 - 20 years was the 4x4 posts rotted at the ground and broke.

The replacement fence (professionally installed) uses metal posts that are abour 1.5" square. Much better choice for the posts, IMO. Since the posts are smaller, the fence panels fit closer together and you can't see the posts.

 

Use the treated lumber and wrap the part that will be underground with a tar paper 15lb. Then once the green is out of it stain it what ever color you want, like a cedar base tint. It will last plenty long for your situation and even the next owners.

 

If it lasts 5 years I'm good. Did you use cedar 4x4's or treated on the fence that lasted 20 years?

 

So why does everyone say that cedar is better?

Appearances?

Also will treated warp worse than cedar?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

I have the wrapped, treated posts and they are 20 years old and still solid. I have had to replace the cedar pickets and rails twice. The cedar pickets just look better to me.

 

That's actually what I was thinking about doing. Cedar pickets and rails, treated posts.

But now since we are thinking of moving in several years, I thought about saving some cash and just doing it all in treated.

But...I have fixed the house up pretty nice and don't want to cut corners if it's gonna look bad.

 

If maintained cedar will outlast treated lumber material hands down however, since you are moving treated would be the most economical decision for you. If you dog eared the actual fence planks and stained once the green has left (about 1 year) they can actually look pretty good.

 

Ya I was going to use dog eared pickets from Home Depot or something.

I'm gonna go check prices on treated now and see what the cost savings will be.

 

go with all treated. treated will still look great in 5 years and many more after that.

 

I've used treated cedar, also. Solid still, but it's only been a little over a year since installation. In that time, the color is grayed but not as dark as some. I like the weathered look. - Og

 

Yep, I like the weathered look as well, plus I love the smell of the cedar.

 

They were cedar and isntalled when the home was built. Portions of that fence are still standing and are now 23 years old, but won't make it another year. The first good west/east windstorm we get, the old fence is going down.

 

Treated has one disadvantage over the Cedar. It will warp more. Even 4x4 posts. They will twist and bow. I have seen some at the stores that look like pretzels. Also if when you get them, they are still fairly wet and heavy, you will not be able to tell at all what they are going to look like in a year or two.

 

This was my main concern....!

But my father in law says that they shouldn't warp too bad right now because it's pretty cool and they can dry out slowly over the winter.

Well I just checked pricing.

All Cedar = ~$3080
Cedar with Treated Posts = ~$2610
All Treated = ~$1810

I'm leaning towards all Treated....