Replies

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Apr 17, 2009 08:47pm | #1

   PT fences can get warped, and do split a lot. They usually have a lot of knots. They have to weather quite a while before staining. Use SS fasteners or the fasteners won't outlast the lumber. I like Cedar, but if you want a lower cost, I might use plain white pine fence, kept stained to extend its life.

1. 
   Jimma | Apr 18, 2009 12:18am | #4

   You don't need stainless fasteners. Buy screws that are made for pressure treated lumber. I live in Florida and we use PT all the time. Nothing else works. I just replaced a deck that was made of PT YP. Lasted 28 years, but probably should have only been 25. Cedar, redwood or cypress would only have made it three or four (termites just love the stuff). Jim

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Apr 18, 2009 12:20am | #5

   The new stuff AIN'T the 28 year old stuff. Use stainless.

1. 
   Jimma | Apr 18, 2009 12:36am | #6

   Well, I guess the 45 pounds of Phillips DuraFast screws in my deck will make a helluva neat pattern.

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Apr 18, 2009 12:49am | #8

   ACQ eats fasteners in a year or so.

2. 
   Shoemaker1 | Apr 18, 2009 02:11am | #9

   ACQ is a PITA. I see it all the time after a year them screws are nothing. And if you ever get a bit of saw dust in you eye It will blind you for a day, ask me.
   What are the posts made of? if there good maybe a good choice?
   If you have access to tamarack (Hackmatack) it is better than cedar.I try to avoid and new PT lumber, but I can see a lot of decks getting re screwed soon!!!

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Apr 17, 2009 09:48pm | #2

   Pressure treated wood will continue to move a lot, even years after you build a fence. Cedar, in general, will "settle in" once its dry.

   Either wood will weather, and check and crack, with exposure to the sun. You can mitigate this by using a UV-blocking stain.

   And if you can find cypress for the fence boards, it will last decades (70 to 100 years is not uncommon) with no coatings or coverings.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
1. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Apr 18, 2009 12:40am | #7

   Cypress fences will and do rot at about the same pace as cedar.

   On average 6' privacy fences last about 15 years.

   Staining every 3 years will extend the life considerably but 5 rounds of staining would near equal the cost of new fencing.

   I think putting a board on flat across top and waterproofing it every 2 years and pressure washing it every year will stretch your fence life as economically as possible.

   A painted fence will probably give you the longest life, but I would paint every 2 years.

   ANDYSZ2

    WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

   REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

    

3. 
   husbandman | Apr 17, 2009 11:45pm | #3

   Where are you?

   Where I live it's very dry and lots of people use rough 1x4 pine/fir and it lasts a long time. Again, it's very dry here.

   Cedar looks and lasts better, IMO, but be careful what fasteners you use either way. Galv streaks cedar badly.

4. 
   john7g | Apr 18, 2009 02:48am | #10

   I've used PT for fence for quite a while now.  What works for me is to order good grades and then stack, sticker and then band with webbing tie downs to let dry thoroughly with fans blowing from both sides until dry.  Re-tighten the tie-down banding regularly.  The banding will prevent the boards form moving during unequal MC as they dry. 

   I prefer paint over stain just as a matter of personal preference though. 

1. 
   brownbagg | Apr 18, 2009 04:04am | #11

   a wooden fence around here last about three years.

1. 
   john7g | Apr 18, 2009 04:22am | #12

   what eats them up so fast down there?  They last a lot longer than 3 years here which is ~250 miles north and a little east. 

1. 
   brownbagg | Apr 18, 2009 04:33am | #13

   hurricanes

1. 
   john7g | Apr 18, 2009 05:31am | #14

   that'll 'splain it.  Ought to just use untreated wood at that rate

2. 
   Boats234 | Apr 18, 2009 06:13am | #15

   PT lasts about 25% longer then cedar for me.

   It matters where you are and what quality of material you get.

   I doubt the cedar we get down here is comparable to the cedar supply in the PNW.

   Someone claimed cypress would last forever........... That might of been true 25 years ago when 1st growth red/ sinker cypress was available.

   The white/ Grobeck cypress we get now won't last 2 seasons.

   I always thought the NW was the hardest area on exposed wood, but as you know our climate kills exposed wood faster then anywhere in the country--probably the world.

   As far as hurricanes go. Any privacy fence is a goner when the wind starts blowing. Pickets or shadow box hold up a little better.

5. 
   darrel | Apr 18, 2009 07:07am | #16

   I put up a cedar fence with PT posts 2 summers ago.

   The posts were a huge mistake. They're STILL drying out and warping and twisting and splitting every which way.

   Plus you have to deal with all the special PT hardware.

   I'd go Cedar all the way.