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A Guide To Choosing the Right Wood for Your Fence

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published November 25, 2024

Fences are necessary for most homeowners to mark the periphery of their property. To get the best out of your money, you must make the best wood choice for your fence. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best wood for fences.

What is the Best Wood for Fence

There are many aspects to constructing a wooden fence and one is choosing the right material.  The kind of wood used affects the appearance, durability, maintenance and price of the fence.

Non-rotting and very strong wood is also preferred for outdoor fencing. Here, the top choice is cedar. Some other fantastic choices are redwood, black locust, Osage orange and pressure-treated pine. Let’s have a closer look at these best wood fence materials:

1. Cedar: A Premium Choice

Cedar is one of the best wood types for outdoor fence because of its appearance and its inherent ability to fend off insects, moisture and mildew. That is a reddish-brown and when it has weathered, it will turn silvery-gray.

Cedar is easy to maintain; you’ll just need to wash the fence occasionally. A cedar fence can last 15-30 years or even longer.

Note: Remember that this cedar is rather costly.

2. Redwood: Attractive and Durable

If you want a striking appearance, redwood is the best type of wood for a fence. Its color variants include pinkish red to reddish brown. Redwood also possesses natural features such as tannins and oils that prevent bugs, rot and moisture damage.

If you install a redwood fence properly and do routine cleaning, it can last for 20-30 years. Redwood is more budget-friendly than cedar yet still ranks among the most expensive woods.

3. Black Locust: Rot-Resistant Hardwood

Black locust is also one of the hardest and most rot-resistant hardwoods, repelling moisture, insects and rot. After installation, it is greenish-brown in color that gradually turns grayish-brown.

A black locust wood fence can stay functional for 20 years or more. The wood is denser than cedar, so you will experience occasional splintering. Black locust as a material costs less than cedar and redwood.

4. Osage Orange: Natural Insect Repellent

Known as hedge apple, osage orange merits the effort if you live in an area with high insect activity. It has a bright orange inner wood with a compound naturally unattractive to insects. They also prove to be dense, hard and do not rot easily.

Osage orange wood is available in the summer. Freshly cut, it is bright yellow but turns grayish-brown later. An osage orange fence can last for many years; it may last more than 20 years. The wood is also fairly budget-friendly.

5. Pressure-Treated Pine: Budget-Friendly Option

Pressure-treated pine is, by far, the most budget-friendly fencing material available while still offering reasonable levels of durability. The chemical solutions use special chemical preservatives, which help check the moisture, rotting and insect attacks on wood.

Pressure-treated pine fences usually last about 10-15 years, with correct installation and maintenance, after which you will start replacing the boards. When installed, it comes in a greenish hue, grade silver gray or can be patinated to any chosen hue.

What Kinds of Wood are Best Used for Fencing?

The type of wood used for the fence will offer different performances and maintenance paces. Here are some top options:

1. Cedar or Redwood Boards:

Cedar and redwood are attractive and come pre-treated by nature for excellent fence durability. Their knot-free boards are best but can be expensive. Such fences will require occasional washing, sealing and subsequent staining.

2. Cedar or Redwood Plywood:

Plywood fences are lighter than board fences and free of knots. They're best used for privacy and sound barrier fences. Remember to clean the wood and seal it every 2 – 3 years.

3. Composite Fencing:

Composite wood-plastic fencing is made of wood fiber and recycled plastics. It is very low-maintenance and will not rot, crack or require painting. This fencing is slightly expensive initially, but it saves a lot of work over time.

Considerations While Choosing the Right Material for Your Wood Fence

Here are a few practical suggestions to keep in mind as you select wood for your new fence:

1. Budget:

Consider your budget first. Then, refine your search to woods that are affordable for you. Your budget will play a huge role in deciding which type of wood you need. Cedar is expensive and can drive up costs, while Pine can be budget-friendly at the expense of premium looks.

2. Longevity:

If you want your fence to have a long lifespan and be maintenance-free, go for natural rot-resistant wood like cedar or redwood. If you are fine with replacing boards later on, get treated wood.

3. Design:

Ensure the fence has characteristics similar to your home's architectural design. A rough-sawn cedar provides craftsmanship to homes and evenly spaced redwood boards provide traditional homes with a match.

4. Quality:

Always get the highest-quality wood. This will ensure it lasts long and does not need much repair in the future.

Tip

Only buy wood with few knots.

5. Region’s Climate:

Know your region’s climate before settling on a type of wood for your fences. Some woods, such as redwood, are resistant to harsh weather conditions, while Cedar can be delicate to rain. Consult which is better for use in dry or humid climate conditions.

With these choices in mind, you can decide which type of wood fence supplies will work right for your backyard.