Tuscaloosa Fence Pros takes requests for cedar fence installation in Tuscaloosa, AL and passes each one to an independent local installer, for homeowners who want a wood fence that looks better and moves less than standard treated pine. Cedar is lighter, straighter and naturally more resistant to decay.
It also costs more, and it is not immune to our wet weather or to termites. This page lays out how cedar compares with pine, which grades to ask about, and how to keep it looking good, so you can decide before you request a free estimate.
Cedar vs Pressure-Treated Pine for a Tuscaloosa Fence
Treated pine resists rot because of the chemicals forced into it. Cedar resists rot because of natural oils in its heartwood.
- Stability: cedar shrinks, twists and cups less than pine as it dries, so boards stay flatter.
- Weight: cedar is lighter, which puts less load on posts and gates.
- Look: cedar has a warm reddish color that weathers to silver gray if left unfinished. Fresh treated pine is often greenish or brown.
- Strength: pine is harder and stiffer, which is why it is often used for posts.
Cedar Grades, Species and Post Choices
Species
Western red cedar is the most common cedar for fences. Other cedar species are sold too, and quality varies, so ask what you are getting.
Grades
Clear grades have few or no knots and cost more. Knotty grades have a rustic look and are common for privacy fences. Heartwood, the darker inner wood, holds more of the natural oils than the paler sapwood.
Posts
Many installers pair cedar pickets and rails with ground-contact treated pine posts or galvanized steel posts, because the post is the part sitting in wet soil and carrying the load.
Cedar Fence Cost Compared With Pine
Bob Vila's cost guide lists cedar fencing at roughly $15 to $30 per linear foot installed, compared with about $10 to $25 for pine. These are national estimates that vary with yard, material and layout, and cedar prices in particular can swing with lumber supply.
- Clear grades cost more than knotty
- Board-on-board and shadowbox layouts use more boards
- Cedar posts cost more than treated pine or steel posts
- Factory or job-site stain adds to the upfront price
How Cedar Handles Humidity, Rain and Termites
Tuscaloosa sees warm, moist air off the Gulf and well over 50 inches of rain a year, so any wood fence spends a lot of time wet. Cedar's natural oils help, but they leach out over time, and sapwood has less protection to begin with.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System notes that both native subterranean termites and Formosan termites are found in Alabama, with serious Formosan infestations appearing in central Alabama. Cedar heartwood is more resistant than untreated pine, but resistant is not the same as immune.
- Keep cedar boards off the soil, with a gap or a treated kickboard at the bottom
- Do not pile mulch or firewood against the fence
- Use stainless or coated fasteners, since cedar can stain around plain steel
Finishing and Caring for a Cedar Fence
Unfinished cedar turns gray within a season or two. Some homeowners like that. If you want to keep the color, use a penetrating, UV-blocking stain made for cedar.
- Ask whether the boards will be stained before or after installation
- Reapply stain every few years, more often on sunny south and west runs
- Wash off mildew in shady areas before restaining
- Replace a cracked board early, since cedar boards swap out easily
Common questions
Is cedar worth the extra cost over treated pine?
For many homeowners, yes, if appearance and straight boards matter. Cedar moves less as it dries, looks warmer, and resists decay naturally. Bob Vila's cost guide shows cedar running a few dollars more per foot than pine. If budget is tight, cedar pickets on treated pine posts can split the difference.
Do termites eat cedar fences?
Cedar heartwood resists termites better than untreated pine, but it is not immune, and both native subterranean and Formosan termites are found in Alabama. Sapwood and weathered boards are more vulnerable. Keep boards off the soil, keep mulch and debris away from the base, and inspect the bottom of the fence now and then.
Should I stain or seal a new cedar fence?
You do not have to, but staining keeps the reddish color and slows weathering in our sun and rain. Unstained cedar weathers to silver gray. If you stain, use a penetrating product made for cedar and plan to reapply every few years. Ask your installer whether staining is included in the estimate.
Can cedar posts go directly in the ground?
They can, but many installers prefer ground-contact treated pine or galvanized steel posts, because the post sits in damp soil and takes the most stress. Wet weather is hard on any wood post. Using a stronger post material under cedar boards gives you the look of cedar with a sturdier base.