Cedar is known as a durable, resilient wood that can withstand the elements of weather. A cedar fence can provide beauty, stability, and privacy to any home or vicinity.
Though they are low-maintenance, cedar fence care is essential to keep the fence in good condition. Cleaning and other general maintenance are needed to preserve the cedar wood. Cedar fencing will remain inviting, attractive, and structurally sound for many years if adequately cared for properly.
The Benefits of Choosing Cedar Fencing
Choosing cedar for your fencing needs offers numerous benefits:
- Natural Resistance: Cedar wood naturally resists insects and decay.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Its rich color and fine grain make it a visually appealing choice.
- Durability: Cedar wood is durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Sustainability: Cedar is an environmentally friendly option, often harvested from responsibly managed forests.
Caring for a Cedar Fence Starts with Installation Best Practices:
Traditional fence post installation involves digging post holes and setting them directly into the ground during their installation. The posts are then secured with a substrate material, often concrete. However, it is best to avoid having the posts set into concrete to improve water drainage around the poles.
With A to Z Quality Fencing’s No Mess, No Dig Installation process, the wood posts are not buried in the ground but instead slid over a galvanized steel post that is pounded into the ground. This method doesn’t bury any wood in the ground and therefore starts prolonging the life of your fence the moment it is installed! (Watch a video on how we bore out the center of our cedar posts!)
In addition to post installation, cedar fence care depends too on how close the wood boards are installed to the ground. To prevent the wood boards from rotting, the cedar panels/pickets should be at least two inches from ground level after installation.
To further protect the wood from splintering, cracking, and warping due to weather, apply a waterproof sealing to the cedar fence after fence installation. Do so by applying two thin coats of the waterproofing sealer with a paintbrush. Make sure to allow the sealer to dry completely in between coats. (This process should be done every three to five years).
Finally, avoid having excessive amounts of water around the fence. For example, do not set sprinklers where the water stream would hit the wood, even after applying a sealer. Planting landscaping around the perimeter of the fence is all right, but keep bushes, vines, and the like from growing up the fence. Cut down weeds and vines that grow on the fence’s surface.
Cedar Fence Care Necessities:
- Garden sprayer
- Scrub brush
- Garden hose
- Bucket
- Water
- Waterproofing wood sealer
- Paintbrush
- Oxygen Bleach
- ¼ cup non-ammonia dish soap
Cedar Fence Cleaning Recipes:
Annual Cleaning
Clean your cedar fence at least once a year. To do so, combine three quarts of warm water, a quart of oxygen bleach, and a quarter cup of non-ammonia dish soap into a garden sprayer, and dowse the fence with the solution. Allow the solution to sit for approximately ten minutes, scrub any stains with a scrub brush, and then continue rinsing with water.
Mold and Mildew
Remove mold and mildew stains immediately because mold and mildew will eat away at the cedar wood. To do so, mix a solution of four ounces of oxygen bleach and a gallon of hot water into a bucket, and scrub the mold and mildew from the fence with the solution and a rough scrub brush. Then rinse the wood with water.
Why Choose A to Z Quality Fencing for Your Cedar Fence?
A to Z Quality Fencing has a reputation for providing top-quality installation services and customer satisfaction. Their innovative No Mess, No Dig Installation process ensures a cleaner, more durable fence without the hassle of traditional methods.
A to Z Quality Fencing has two locations: Farmington, Minnesota, and Hartford, Wisconsin. In addition, we serve the surrounding communities. Learn more about us or request a free online estimate today!