Written by Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge contractors get asked the same question all the time that why cedar? With so many fencing materials on the market like vinyl or composite or pressure treated pine or aluminum—it seems like there should be something newer cheaper or more modern but cedar keeps winning. Drive through any neighborhood in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows or Mission and you’ll see it everywhere. There’s a reason for that. Cedar isn’t just a traditional choice on the West Coast. It’s the right choice and it has been for generations.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge professionals will tell you the first reason is simple cedar handles moisture better than almost any other wood. The West Coast is wet. Not just rainy—persistently or relentlessly damp. A material that soaks up water or swells and rots is a material that won’t last. Cedar is naturally resistant to moisture because of the oils in the wood. It doesn’t absorb water the way other species do which means it doesn’t swell and crack when the weather turns. It doesn’t rot as quickly. It doesn’t become a buffet for mould and mildew. In a climate where everything is trying to decay, cedar fights back.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge experts also point to cedar’s natural resistance to insects. Termites or carpenter ants and other wood boring pests are a fact of life in many parts of North America and they can destroy a fence in a few seasons. Cedar contains natural compounds—thujone and other aromatic oils that repel insects. It’s not a guarantee against infestation but it’s a significant advantage over softer woods that pests treat as a food source. Homeowners who choose cedar spend less time worrying about bugs and more time enjoying their yards.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge technicians say that cedar’s dimensional stability is another reason it’s the gold standard. Wood moves. It expands and releases moisture as the temperature and humidity rise and fall. There are species that are mobile. Cedar moves less. This means that cedar fences remain straighter, hold their form better and do not create gaps and warping that other materials do. Climate stability is important when seasons are extreme; stability in wet winters or dry summers is important. The fence which does not move is the fence that looks good longer.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge professionals also report that cedar is beautiful in nature and cannot be beaten by synthetic materials. Vinyl fences are just like vinyl. Composite fences are like composite. Cedar is a wood that’s why it looks like wood. Whether it’s the grain or the color or the texture it’s warm and organic in a way that nothing man made can match. Cedar also has a good resistance to weathering. Initially it is a warm reddish brown in color and will fade to a silvery grey if untreated. A few homeowners seem to enjoy the weathered appearance. Some stain or seal it to preserve its original color. In either case it matures with style and not simply grows old.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge experts say that cedar’s workability is another advantage that doesn’t get enough attention. Cedar is soft enough to cut and shape easily which means it can be customized for any design. It takes stains plus paints and sealers well. It holds fasteners securely. It can be routed or planed and shaped into decorative details. Builders like working with cedar because it cooperates. That translates into cleaner installations tighter joints and a finished product that looks like it was made to measure because it was.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge technicians also emphasize cedar’s environmental credentials. Cedar is a renewable resource. It’s harvested from sustainably managed forests and it requires less energy to produce than synthetic materials like vinyl or composite. It also doesn’t off gas the way some manufactured products do. For homeowners who care about sustainability cedar is a choice that aligns with their values. It’s not just a fence but it’s a natural product that comes from a tree and will eventually return to the earth.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge experts say that cedar’s longevity is the bottom line for most homeowners. A well hooked up cedar fence can last 15 to twenty years or more with primary maintenance. That’s longer than most pressure treated options and comparable to high end synthetics but cedar does it without the plastic look or the cracking or the environmental concerns. When you spread the cost over the lifespan of the fence cedar is often more affordable than it appears. You’re paying for durability not just appearance.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge experts recommend proper maintenance of cedar to maximize its benefits. Every 2-3 years, the wood will need a new stain or sealer to keep it protected from moisture and UV damage. It can be cleaned every so often with a soft brush and gentle pressure of the hose to remove dirt and mildew. Inspecting it after winter storms catches minor damage before it becomes major. A little attention goes a long way. Cedar is naturally resilient but it’s not indestructible. Homeowners who take care of their fences get decades of service in return.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge technicians say that cedar’s insulation properties are a bonus that most people don’t think about. Wood has an insulating property. It has sound absorbing and thermal insulating properties. Cedar Fence can help to diminish street noise or neighbor noise. It can provide privacy and wind protection and can help you to develop a microclimate in your yard that’s warmer in winter and cooler in summer. These aren’t the reasons people choose cedar but they’re benefits they appreciate once the fence is up.
Cedar fencing installation Maple Ridge success stories are everywhere in the Fraser Valley. Look at any well maintained property and chances are there’s a cedar fence that’s been standing for years. It’s weathered a few storms. It’s seen a few summers. It’s still doing its job. That’s the real test of any fencing material—how it looks and performs after a decade of West Coast weather. Cedar passes that test again and again. That’s why it remains the top choice and why it will probably stay that way for generations to come.