Tips on Building a Cedar Fence

Many homeowners choose to build privacy fences in order to create a more secluded atmosphere in their outdoor living space. Cedar is a popular building material for these fences because of its long lifetime due to a slow rate of decay and resistances to pests.

• Avoid placing the cedar fence posts directly into the soil. The part of the fence that comes in contact with soil is the most vulnerable to decay, and is also most likely to reduce the lifespan of your fence. You can prevent this by placing the posts into concrete, which will also increase the strength and stability of your fence.


• Place the fence posts at 6-foot intervals. Intervals of 6 feet are the standard for most wooden fences, and they provide a stable base for the sections in between. Cedar fences that are built in areas with minimal severe weather can use intervals of up to 8 feet.


• Cover the surfaces of the cedar fence with a weatherizing coating. This step will preserve the wood's appearance and lengthen the lifetime of the fence. It is important that you select a waterproof coating.


• Use fasteners that are not corrosive. Corrosive fasteners tend to rust, which is then washed down the surface of the fence to form rust-colored streaks. This is easily avoided by choosing a non-corrosive fastener at a local hardware store.


• Avoid building your fence on someone else's property. This is actually a fairly common mistake that often results in the forced removal of the fence.