If you're thinking about adding a wood fence to your property in order to add beauty and privacy to your yard, you're likely weighing a variety of important choices, like height, hue, and whether or not to cap the top.
There's also probably one major decision you're also thinking about: the material for the structure itself.
Choosing between cedar or pine for your yard enclosure is a big decision.
This breakdown of cost, color, longevity, and maintenance considerations may help you better understand the options before you.
Cost Cedar is the more expensive choice, bar none.
It costs more because of its natural properties and its rarity.
The cost of other kinds of lumber, especially if they've been pressure-treated, will vary depending on the manufacturer and the retailer.
However, the expense you pay for up front for one material may wind up saving cash you down the road, as cheaper panels will likely have to be replaced much more often.
Keep in mind that pine is sometimes recommended for yard enclosures, because it lasts longer in the concrete anchor.
However, the highly modified varieties may cost you more up front as well.
Color and Finishes Cedar will turn to a lovely silvery gray wood fence if left unstained.
The natural oils inside the tree allow for this change, and they are also the source of the wood's natural resistance to insects and rot caused by moisture.
In addition, cedar doesn't warp or shrink, so it's naturally stable.
Treated pine, on the other hand, ages into a beautiful golden color.
However, even with potentially toxic finishing treatments, it will be susceptible to insects.
Longevity Staining, pressurizing, and sealing lumber of any kind will increase its lifespan.
It's important to make sure that the soil of your yard doesn't touch the boards, especially in untreated varieties, as this will cause rotting and moisture damage more quickly than if there was no contact.
Maintenance The care of these two wood fence options is pretty similar.
Neither really has to be stained because the pine comes already treated, but the option for staining is available if you choose.
Both materials will require that you redo the stain every five years or so.
As mentioned earlier, you should avoid soil contact with both options, but the pine may need a board replaced more often than other varieties.
Ultimately, you're the one who will look at your wood fence nearly every day, so the decision is a personal one.
If you're unable to pay the price for the more expensive material up front, then treated pine may be the way to go for you.
However, if you love the beautiful color and the aromatic smell of cedar plank and can cover the cost of the investment, you may want to strongly consider that option.