The Western Red Cedar can grow to hundreds of feet and live for over a thousand years. A truly resilient tree, it should come as no surprise Red Cedar lumber is extremely durable. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a few steps to make your beautiful cedar fence last even longer and maintain that freshly cut look.

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning and maintenance can make your fence last for decades. Be sure no excess dirt or leaves become stuck on or around the fence, as this can exacerbate decay. Watch out for mildew. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) recommends washing with a diluted solution of common household cleaners. Avoid using anything too strong, as that may stain or bleach the wood.

Consider the Elements

Naturally, your fence will be exposed to the elements and there’s not much you can do about it. If you live in a place with excessive snow and wish to clear it off the fence, then be sure to do so along the grain or you will scrape the wood. If you live in a very wet climate, then be cautious of iron staining caused by nails. To prevent discoloration, use only aluminum or stainless steel nails to fasten the fence.

Apply a Finish

Within a few weeks of construction, consider applying a protective finish in dry weather. This helps maintain that original auburn color and further protects the wood from decay. Consider different treatments if you want the wood to age to a silvery brown color. Mild strains containing fungicide will last for a few years until they require reapplication. A solid color stain will last even longer, but it will also obscure the natural color of your cedar fence. A 100% acrylic paint used with an oil-based primer will give you the color you want to make your fence last at least a decade with minimal maintenance.

Western Red Cedar is an extremely green and sustainable building material, which is why we use it for all of our wood fences in Naperville, Elgin, Gurnee and many more suburbs in the Chicagoland area. Give Paramount Fence a call at 630-239-2714 to find out about our winter fence installation.