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Covington, GA on May 10, 2012

Suggestions on replacing wood fencing

I am having a some wood fencing replaced and more added. I've been getting conflicting recommendations about using either PT pine or cedar. The fence I'm replacing is PT pine and is about 13 years old, was never sealed and the boards are warping and pulling away from the rails (allowing the dogs to escape, lol!). I would love to replace it with cedar (was told it doesn't warp), but now I'm hearing that it'll rot and get infested with termites faster than the PT will warp. Any ideas? (btw, don't want the plastic stuff - don't like it at all...)

5 Comments

Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Think about this. If the old fence was PT pine and its 13 years old Why spend any more money on anything else? Its the lower cost material. Simply screw the new boards on, and screw the older ones that are coming loose, and then paint the fence well. As long as the fence is not laying on the ground, there will be no insect issues. Is when you have soil contact that the termites go after the stuff. ...»

Our wood fence which is simple white pine fence is 27 years old. Painted it well when I first put it in. A few boards from time to time come loose from kids playing ball and stuff. Re screw them back touch up paint and good to go.

on May 11, 2012 · Like 1
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

make sure your posts are sound...spending a lot of time and money on the pickets may be a waste if the posts fall over.
http://www.networx.com/article/how-to-build-...

on May 11, 2012 · Like 1
Kathy R Rocky Point, NC

I was under the impression that termites do not eat cedar. Also the PT wood available now is not as resistant to rot and insects as it use to be. They changed the treatment method, cant remember when.

on May 11, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Kathy R...back a few years (around 2004) the EPA began restrictions on the use of CCA ( chromated copper arsenate) this was the primary chemical treatment used and it contained Arsenic The current ingredient is ACQ (Alkaline copper quaternary) This stuff is corrosive to steel fasteners (deck screws etc) but much better for the environment without the arsenic and chromiun.
When I built my deck I used Ipe a dense tropical hardwood with is naturally resistant to bugs and decay.

on May 12, 2012 · Like 1
HoopHasIt Dallas, TX

I just power washed my 11 year old cedar fence again and put a combo sealer and stain on it for the first time ever and it looks better than new! It was worth the initial investment and now the investment for the Ready Seal. Good luck!

on May 14, 2012 · Like 0