Cedar or Pine for Fence Posts

Pine is the recommended wood for use as fence posts. Cedar will rot when it is encased in cement in the post hole. Treated pine is very sturdy and will stand up to the pressure of the fence and the elements of weather. It doesn’t rot in the ground as cedar does. If you use cedar for your fence posts you can expect to replace them in about six or seven years. Pine will likely last ten or fifteen years.

Color of Cedar and Pine

Cedar ages well and changes to a silvery gray color if you leave it unstained. There are natural oils in cedar that make it resistant to rot and insect infestation. This is why it lasts for so long. Pine, on the other hand, is always pressure treated and does age to a beautiful golden color. Even with the treatment, which is toxic, pine rots easily and is susceptible to insects.

Staining or Painting Cedar and Pine

The majority of homeowners stain cedar fences to prevent the wood from turning gray as it ages. Paint is never recommended for this wood. Stain is preferred because it maintains the quality of the appearance of the wood. Sealer has to be applied over the stain and together these materials will keep the fence looking like new for about 5 years. You will only have to re-stain and reseal then to preserve the look of the fence.

The maintenance of a pine fence is very similar to that of cedar. You can leave it unstained because it has been treated. However, you can paint pine as well as using stain. Just as with cedar you will have to redo this about every five years.

Based on the information provided, experts state that cedar is a better choice than pine. What you decide to purchase for your fence is up to you because both are good choices.

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• Portland cement
• Sand or small stones
• Water

You mix this on your own but you don’t need to have a lot of any of the materials nor do you need a cement mixer. You need to have 2.5 times as much sand, also called aggregate, as you have cement. You mix the dry cement with the aggregate and then pour in enough water just to make it moist enough to stir. You can mix this in a container and use a stick to stir the materials together.

When you feel that the dry pack is ready then you pack it into the hole or crack that you are trying to fill. Use a trowel to smooth the surface and then let the cement dry. As it dries it sets in place.

Uses of Dry Pack Concrete

It is true that dry pack concrete is used to repair concrete driveways, basement floors and garage floors. However, there are many other uses for this material and it is commonly found in the construction industry. In renovations on a building when pipes are removed from a concrete wall and they will not be replaced this is the easiest solution to the problem of how to fill the hole.

Dry pack concrete is best used on small areas where the holes are deeper than they are wide. It is easy to pack the most mixture into a confined space. The trick is to pack it in tightly, but you should not leave a hump on the top. Unlike some other materials it won’t sink as it dries and will be very hard to remove to make the surface even and smooth.

Quite often dry pack concrete is used under steel beams and rods in high rise buildings to keep them in place. The workers pack it into the gaps that exist under the beams. This process is essential to ensuring that the full weight transfers to the concrete base of the structure.

There is also a form of dry pack concrete that is manufactured for using in installing tile. This product contains the right amount of cement and aggregate and all you have to do is add water to get the right texture.

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Factors Affecting the Type of Privacy Fence You Build

• Budget – You need to have a budget in mind when you start looking at the different types of privacy fences you can build. The materials used can include wood, vinyl, brick, cement, chain link and metal. You can even plant hedging to create a privacy fence but it might take several years before it affords you the level of privacy you want.
• Regulations – Many municipalities have regulations in place regarding the type and size of privacy fences you can build. Check with these before you start purchasing materials only to find that you will have to return it.
• Height – It will be hard to build a fence high enough that no one will be able to see over it. If you have two-story homes within sight of your house your yard will be visible from the upstairs rooms no matter how high the fence is.

When you consider these factors you will be able to narrow down the material you want to use for the privacy fence. Then it is time to decide on the design of the fence.

Types of Privacy Fences

1. Wood fencing remains the traditional method of enclosing your property or a section of it. It adds to the appearance of the exterior of your home and gives the property a finished look.
2. If you are looking for something completely different and that doesn’t harm the environment, take a look at a bamboo privacy fence. The material is sustainable and can be used to build the same style fences as cedar and pine. However, you do have to consider the style of your home because this tropical wood may be suit at all.
3. If you are looking for the cheapest option in building a privacy fence, why not use lattice and then place vines over the board. You can paint this board any color that you want and it doesn’t take long to install. It is not sturdy though and won’t work well in an area that receives a lot of wind.
4. Vinyl fencing is also great for privacy. It offers fullness with panels that are completely closed or you can purchase the panels that are about the same size as boards. There is a wide range of colors available and some of the fence designs are very decorative.

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Materials Needed for a Shadowbox Fence

In order to have the best looking fence in this design experts recommend the use of either treated pine or red cedar – whichever one you feel will suit the exterior of your home. You will need to use treated posts because cedar is not conducive to insertion in concrete. It rots prematurely when used in this way. However, it is best to use cedar rails because they have more durable qualities than treated pine. They are less likely to warp.

Advantages of Shadowbox Fences

There are no large open spaces on a shadowbox fence through which you can spy on your neighbors or vice versa. The rails are staggered to cover the spaces between the boards on each side. There are small spaces though through which the wind can blow. The posts should be cemented into the ground to make sure that the fence will remain sturdy.

What to Expect from a Shadowbox Fence

The first thing you will notice about a newly built shadowbox fence is that the treated posts stand out from the cedar rails. They are more noticeable because of the color difference. This should not be of any concern because when the cedar weathers it will turn gray in color and then both the rails and the posts will look the same.

A shadowbox fence can add to the ambiance of your home and increase its resale value. They provide you with privacy, yet they don’t block you from communicating with your neighbor. They are less expensive than fences made from brick or chain link. It is important though to dig the holes for the fence posts deep enough so that they will be supported in the concrete that you pour around them. This is essential to preserve your fence for years to come.

Like all products built using wood, you will have to do regular maintenance on the fence to make sure it lasts. You also have to be mindful of the regulations that are in place for fencing in your city or town. Some municipalities have regulations regarding how high fences can be between houses.

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• Stain performs a dual purpose – it provides both sealing and waterproofing.
• It prevents the wood from becoming susceptible to mold
• It keeps the UV rays of the sun from damaging the wood
• Wood that is grey and weathered gains a whole new look
• It prolongs the life of the wood
• It adds to the ambiance and the resale value of the property

Maintaining the Stain on Your Fence

You have a wide choice in colors when choosing the stain for the fence. The best choice is one that matches or compliments the exterior of your home. Whatever color you choose, you should know that it won’t last forever. Typically the color will start to fade in about five years.

The time it takes to stain a fence will be well worth the savings you realize. It offers protection for the wood and this means that you will only have to re-stain as part of regular mainte-nance rather than have to replace the whole fence. When you stain the fence for the first time it will take longer because the stain soaks into the wood. You may have to give it several coats, but when you redo it later it won’t take as long.

Types of Stain to Choose

There are three types of stains you can choose from for your fence staining needs: opaque, transparent and semi-transparent. It is best to look at each type and what it looks like on the material of your fence before you decide which one to select. Knowing simple facts about each type will help you be more informed.

Opaque stain – this is darker, regardless of the color. This is because this type of stain contains more pigment than the other two.

Transparent stain – if you want the grain of the wood to show through then you should choose transparent stain.

Semi-transparent stain – this falls in the mid-range of opaque and transparent. It lets some of the wood grain show through yet it doesn’t cover it in the same way as opaque does.

You also need to apply a sealant over the stain to make sure it is protected in the proper manner. There are some stains on the market that have a sealant included. Using these will save you time.

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How a Power Wash Improves the Look of a Fence

Everything that is exposed to the weather and the UV rays of the sun starts to look old and dirty after a while. This applies to your fence whether it is made from wood or vinyl. The easiest way to perform this chore is by power washing. You won’t realize that the beauty of the fence will come through with a little bit of cleaning.

A power washer applies a strong force of water to the fence that strips off the dirt and grime. In the case of wood it does take off the top layer so that you can actually see the grains when it is dry. The main thing is to use the proper power washer for your needs. The norm is to use between 1500 and 1800 PSI (pressure per square inch) for the pressure on the stream of water for wooden fences. Any higher than this could damage the wood, causing it to split or splinter.

Best Cleaning Solution to Use

There is no specific cleaning solution to use in a power washer for a fence. You should inspect the fence before you start to check for signs of mold and mildew. If there is any present then you need to add bleach to the water to get rid of the mold. Unless you do this it will come back. If you simply want to clean the fence then you only have to use water.

The pressure at which the water hits the fence will wash off all dirt and dust. When you hold the nozzle and direct it at the fence you should move it around in a back and forth movement, such as the way in which the pendulum of a clock swings. Do the fence in small sections and allow it to dry completely before you apply any stain or sealant. You should also wear protective eye wear because some particles may come back towards you.

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Western Red Cedar

The trees logged for this wood are found in western areas of North America. The wood is light brown in color, with a reddish tint. The grain in the wood is very tight and there are very few knots, which is why it is so valued in outdoor construction. Whether you use it for fence posts or rails you know that the wood will last for a very long time. There are smooth and textured surfaces making for very decorative fencing material.

Western red cedar ages well and the color turns gray over time. Many homeowners prefer to leave the cedar unstained, but some do like to use a transparent stain that lets the beauty of the wood shine through.

Northern White Cedar

This tree is native to Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada. The bark of the tree is reddish brown but the wood itself is lighter in color ranging from white to yellow. Like the Western Red Cedar this wood weathers to become silver in color. It is the wood of choice for fencing and posts because of its durable qualities.

Which Color Cedar is Best?

Very few people choose cedar as the wood of choice for fencing because of the color. The wood is the favorite because it will last for a very long time, with Western red cedar outlasting white cedar. The natural oils in the wood keep it strong and stable even after a very long time. When it gets wet it absorbs the moisture and yet does not warp in any way.

If you prefer to leave the cedar unstained you still need to apply a protectant sealant to help preserve the wood. Some homeowners like to use a colored stain for their cedar fence to match the color of the home. The darker the color of stain you use, the greater the protection you provide for the wood because it contains a higher proportion of UV protection.

The post What Color is Cedar? appeared first on Atlantic Fence Company.

• When you wash the fence make sure that it is a warm day and that the wood will dry easily. It is a good idea to do this early in the day so that you can rely on the heat of the afternoon to do this for you. If you are not using a power washer only wash small sections of the fence at a time so that you can make sure that it dries fully. Wet wood attracts termites and the longer it is wet without a sealant applied the greater the chances are that termites can get in.
• Always clean up scrap lumber from around the fence. This is another source of a termite problem because the find their way into the scraps and then to the fence.
• If you have a wood-burning stove and have stacks of firewood outside, make sure that you don’t have the wood stacked next to your wooden fence. The firewood is not treated and is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to a termite infestation.
• Remove any brush from around the outside of your fence. When there is thick vegetation right next to the fence it holds moisture. Wet environments are what termite colonies need for survival so cut the vegetation back from the fence.
• Check the areas of the fence to make sure that you don’t have any pools of water around the posts. These are areas where you could find termites. If there are hollows in the ground or the soil has fallen away from the posts, take the necessary steps to fill them in.
• You may want to have a great garden and use mulch around your trees and flowers. This is a haven for termites because it provides them with a source of food. To prevent them from literally eating your wooden fence never use mulch in areas where it will be close to the fence.

By taking these steps to prevent termites you will also be protecting your fence and your property. Having to replace a fence because you neglect a few simple maintenance tips would be very costly.

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Wooden Privacy Fences

A wooden privacy fence is a good option for a large dog. It has to have the height that will prevent the dog from being able to jump over the top and get away. The boards should be close together to block the dog from seeing anything outside the fence that would take its attention. The shadowbox fence is a good idea for a fence for your dog because it still lets the air blow through, you can still talk with your neighbors, but it keeps the dog in. The only problem with a wooden fence is that in the installation process you will have to set the boards deeper than normal into the ground. This will prevent the dog from digging its way out under the fence.

Chain Link Fence

This is the option that many dog owners choose to fence their backyard so the dog can play outdoors yet won’t be able to roam away. These fences are made of metal with crisscrossed links in the shape of diamonds that is fastened to metal bars and posts. Your dog can see what is going on in the area because there is no barrier to visibility. There is also a way in which you can prevent the dog from jumping the fence. There are plastic panels you can purchase that are transparent. Simply install them on the interior of the fence and the dog won’t be able to get a footing on the links in the chain to be able to jump over.

Vinyl fence

Vinyl is another option in getting a solid fence that is durable and will stand up to the wind and weather. These fences are available in colors to match the exterior of your home. They are easy to install, but like the wooden fence you have to make sure the vinyl panels are put well down into the ground. The dog won’t be able to see through the fence and this will minimize the distractions causing it to want to get out of the yard.

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Factors Affecting the Durability of a Fence

There are two main factors to consider in determining the life of a fence.

1. The material you use is very important in the length of time it will last before you have to replace it. If you use treated pine, you will experience problems with warping. Cedar is the best choice because it is very resistant to rot, warping and damage from the weather. Even though you may find some companies that rate a cedar fence for 30 years, the norm for durability is between 15 and 18 years.

However, if you have a fence constructed from vinyl or metal you will have a fence that will last forever.

1. The method used for installing the fence is the second factor affecting how long it will last. When you choose a trained fence construction specialist you know that you won’t have any problems because of the manner in which it was installed.

1. Fence posts must be put down into the ground in order to keep any fence secure. Cedar is not a good choice because it will rot easily when it is set in cement in the ground.

How Will the Weather Affect the Life of a Fence?

The weather does play a role in the durability of a wooden fence. You will have to do regular maintenance to inspect the wood for any signs of damage. You can paint or stain the fence if you wish. For both of these you will have to scrape the fence after time to remove any flakes that remain. Stain is the better option because it goes into the wood.

You may have concerns regarding the use of vinyl fencing in areas where there are high temperatures in the summer months. If you make sure you purchase Virgin vinyl that has been coated with a UV protectant then you won’t have any worries.

There may be building codes in place for residential areas in your municipality. It is important for you to check these before you start planning to install a fence. By calling on specialists you can avoid any issues because they know what the codes are for your location.

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