Most of the time that is appropriate. With respect to the species, cedar plank takes about 15-3 decades, brighten takes about 4-many years, and pine takes about 5-12 years. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The tannin gives the wood the red color and provides it natural resistance to decay. Or, if oiled or rawhided it may go longer depending on your climate. A better option I like are galvanized 2' plumbing pipe that can last 40 years but costs significantly more and is harder to work with. * Still designing the fence. Copyright Use Cedar, Redwood, Cypress, or White Oak outdoors, and save the Douglas Fir for what it's best for, dry structural members. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The wood is much easier to paint when it is lying on the ground in a pile. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Heart red wood again being the best at about $7 for a 1' x 6' x 6 foot picket. Redwood has more natural occurring chemicals than cedar. Never use finish nails when building a fence. Some inexperienced builders and homeowners will use finish nails because finish nails are smaller, cheaper and easier to use then fastens with a head on them. Finish nails work fine in doors but dont hold up outside at all. Because there is no significant head on the nails when boards are exposed to the elements and the wood swells and contracts and the small heads dont hold and the boards can come loose. I have seen fences put together with finish nails start coming apart in less than 5 years. South Pasadena, CA 91030
But maybe doug fir is less expensive where you live.If you prime and paint, I don't think there is a need for a preservative treatment. . I recommend an oil based primer if you can find it then one coat of paint before you assemble the fence. The wood is much easier to paint when it is lying on the ground in a pile. Painting a fence when it is assembled is challenging. Trying to get paint in the nooks and crannies of the fence and dragging drop cloths all over the yard can be tedious. Priming and painting before you assemble the fence then a final coat at the end will save you time, money and provide good protection for the life of the fence. My observation is that a wood fence at best will last 20 years for species like redwood. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Remove soil that comes in contact with the fence. good luck. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span You won't be sorry. It will check and crack. A 40' long privacy fence will likely contain twice the volume of wood as a solid T&G flooring for a 12' x 12' room and will last at best about a fourth of the time. walk good david. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The higher the concentration of copper the longer the wood will last but the more corrosive it will be on the fasteners so galvanized fastens are required. *Here, old cedar picket fences are worth their weight in gold.I kid you not, old fence pickets that have been removed (in order to install a new fence) are being sold at about $2.00 a foot. Lotsa ways to build a fence/wall. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span A typical 6' tall dog eared redwood fence with all heart wood built by a competent builder should cost about $80 per linear foot. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The hot dipped process produces a significantly thicker protective coating than electro galvanized. Not 2 bucks for each foot of fence, but 2 bucks for each foot of BOARD. 
Douglas fir includes a enjoyable aroma. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span This is the best way to make sure the boards are protected where they are in contact with each other. Greedy, shoddy carpenters and consumers who continue use PNW species in wasteful manners are contributing to the extinction of Columbia and coastal river salmon, spotted owls and maybe another 100 species. *Stanley:Thanks for broadening the discussion. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span These posts will last as little as 3 years dependent on their contact with soil and their exposure to moisture. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. A fence should be maintained. Fences can have a lifespan of up to 30 years if they are built and maintained correctly. *Still designing the fence. How he chooses to spend his money is definitely his business. That's just a cold hard fact of ecology, and there's no getting around it. Ultimately I decided not to install a fence. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The wood frame should be at least 8' above ground away from soil. Why Do You Need An Air Pump For Hydroponics? span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Electrco galvanizing where the metal is exposed to an electrical charge then a zinc coating sticks to the metal or hot dipped galvanized where the metal is actually dipped in molten zinc. But you say none of the wood will touch the ground. The worst option is non treated Douglas Fir. These posts will last as little as 3 years dependent on their contact with soil and their exposure to moisture. Homeowners and handymen commonly make this mistake because Douglas Fir is a commonly available and cheaper. A Douglas fir post runs about $10. Usage for fence posts is frustrated as it can certainly rot from absorbing an excessive amount of moisture. Cedar is another good option. Cedar has similar resistance to red wood but it is a little stronger and less brittle. Cedar will be slightly more expensive than redwood but is used less often because it is not as readily available.
Usually painted, but lately(last 20 yrs) stained and finished. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Many people don't like the appearance of these dents. Its also naturally resistant against rot, decay, and insects. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The soil wood interaction is where most of the deterioration will occur. The main variations between fir and cedar plank are durability and search. The first is using solid wood to create fiber based siding product like L-P's great siding debacle.My first concern relates to the sustainability of the product -- that is "will it last longer in service than it takes to regenerate equal or like material?". span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span If you don't use galvanized fasteners after the first couple rains you will see rust streaks on your fence and the fence will fall apart faster. {"":" div class 'bodymargins' img class 'size-medium wp-image-2669 alignright' src 'http:\/\/nottassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/1551-Diamond-fence-corner-600x337.jpg' alt '1551 Diamond Fence Corner' width '600' height '337' \/ Wood fences are a simple, beautiful and practical part of our home. Skip student, U.of Hrd Knocks. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Point sprinklers away from the fence. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Heart means the post is cut from the center or heart of the Red Wood tree. 2022 Nott & Associates. Redwood wood for Fencing. Whats the difference between cedar, fir and pine fences? span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Cedar and sap red wood runs about $4 based on the quality. All rights reserved. Workability: Typically machines well, but has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. The most important part of a fence are the posts. Posts come in wood or metal and should be placed in a 24 deep hole filled with concrete or bolted in place. The concrete should come up to at least the level of the soil or even a bit higher to protect the post from the surrounding soil. This is the most critical part of a fence. If the soil comes in contact with a poorly protected post it will fail there first and the entire fence will fail. I have seen this countless times. If possible try get the concrete above grade and slope the top of the concrete away from the post so water runs away from the post. The keys are your climate, whether the fence is going to be continually wet, and how workmanlike your installation is.Yeah redwood might last longer but the cost is a bunch more and may not increase value proportionately in your estimation. Another option are metal posts. But bet you that DFir will last much much longer than you will own the house. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Be sure to seal all surfaces of the fence with primer or wood sealer before you start. Turns out Douglas fir is more than just a good-looking wood. All wood ages and turns a greyish/silver color. But, it would be better to use a totally different fence material, IF MCH Must have a fence.How about contributing to neighborliness, opening up the area and not putting in a fence at all? The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. *Thomas:Speak away! A better option I like are galvanized 2 plumbing pipe that can last 40 years but costs significantly more and is harder to work with. I'm going to prime and paint -- any reason to use redwood (sapwood) instead of doug fir? Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Posts come in wood or metal and should be placed in a 24' deep hole filled with concrete or bolted in place. Having the right amount of moisture. 
I'm still researching and designing. 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Think we're talking about the same thing? span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Formosan subterranean Termites can start with your fence then move to your house. I'm not one who wants to rape and pillage the earth. | College Station Fencing Wood fences installed by a professional fence service are some of the most attractive and useful property enclosures for a home, usually because there are so many different types of wood that can be used in a variety of ways. Right now, in my cynicism, I don't see that there is much hope for the environment -- people just want more and more, and are unwilling to use the resource wisely and are unwilling to make sacrifices so that we, as a society, can have diverse healthy sustainable forests.
Theyre not all created equal, but they all will give you a strong, sturdy fence (assuming its properly installed). It would be a total waste to use redwood in such a dry climate. Generally, two of the most durable and lengthy-lasting fencing materials include wrought iron and steel fencing. When used correctly, its both safe and eco-friendly. When trees are harvested the volume of the log is about 1/2 the volume of the tree; converting the log to lumber will generate wastes of anywhere between 30 to 50% of the log (slabs, end trim, saw- kerfs).Some furniture plants figure that 50% recovery from boards to finished product is the norm.
The machine is easy to work with Douglas fir wood. Accepts stains, glues, and finishes well. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Like painting you should get a coat of sealer on the wood then put a second coat on once it is assembled. Comparison as Fencing Material Perhaps the most important reason is that the oils in redwood give it natural weather resistance, and it lasts two or three times as long as Douglas fir outdoors. Start your subscription today and save up to set_percent%. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Do not use these pickets unless you only need the fence to last a couple years. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The posts you buy at home centers are usually thin metal and have a poor protective coating. A cheap fence built of the wrong material by a lesser builder will cost you less but may only last a few years. Douglas Fir Wood Decking is a little more costly than Cedar plank Wood Decking. Skip. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Many fences can get an extra 5 years of life by just changing a couple posts and adding some fastens where needed.
span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span I have seen this countless times.
Fencing should use only top quality wood and fasteners as it is exposed to the most extreme of elements. Decks, fascia, fences, railings - cedar, treated, or now folks are using the engineered lumbers and stuff like trex.
Redwood is arguably the most extensively used type of wood for wood fencing and even though it comes at a high cost, redwoods quality, durability, and aesthetic value make it among the best options. The cost of a fence is based on the material used, the design and who builds it. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The price will vary based on the length of the fence. There is also talk that Southern California want to establish a pipe line and take water from the Columbia -- over my dead body.And just so that you know, I had some 5-6 years in the furniture trades before I went back for my master's degree. Its also soft and for that reason easy to utilize, also it resists shrinkage. My own house is pretty modest and unless I get a big burst of energy and win the lottery it will have a minimal effect on the environment from here forward. (626) 460-6174
Don't ever use Doug Fir for a fence. Less dense material like Western Red cedar, I think is lucky to last 15+ years, and use of non-decay resistant woods like Doug-fir, I think would be lucky to last more than 10 years. Pressure treated posts run about $15/ EACH. Natural existence of wood Probably the most generally used wood types for fences are cedar plank, brighten, and pine. This protects the wood so less maintenance is required over time. If you see evidence of termites call an exterminator. Formosan subterranean Termites can start with your fence then move to your house. Poison can be injected into the soil near an infestation to reduce this risk. Its insect resistant and doesnt require painting or staining. Next are the fasteners you use. Fastens need to be galvanized, hot dipped if available. If you dont use galvanized fasteners after the first couple rains you will see rust streaks on your fence and the fence will fall apart faster. Always use a nail with a head on it. If Ring Shank nails are available use them. Ring shank nails have rings down the spine of the nail which help the nail from pulling out.. 
span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span img class 'size-medium wp-image-2668 alignleft' src 'http:\/\/nottassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/AW 5270-600x400.jpg' alt ' AW 5270' width '600' height '400' \/ Never use finish nails when building a fence. On the somewhat humorous side of things, I hear razor wire is very popular in certain areas of LA. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Fences can have a lifespan of up to 30 years if they are built and maintained correctly.
But then again if conditions are so dangerous for children, my question would have to be why would you want to raise kids in such an unhealthy environment anyway. It is amazing how much we have gotten to know our neighbors as they walk by or stop to admire the flowers.So, contrary to custom, Michael, unless you have absolutely no option I vote for rethinking the whole thing and not putting in a fence at all. Thanks for saying it, and if you have something to say in the future, don't hold back, even if you think you might stir something up. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span They are strong and resist decay but they typically covered in small dents from the preservative process. Besides, Redwood seems to be prone to splitting and cracking. Cedar plank wood is really a middle-of-the-road option that may better fit a restricted budget, and it is rot-resistant, passing on an extended lifespan when compared with other kinds of wood. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Painting a fence when it is assembled is challenging. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span If you paint the fence after it is assembled you will never get paint where it needs to be at the junctures and unions of the fence. Love that stuff. Of course, my opinions are never biased or in any way controversial. Instead we have put in flowers, etc. If all the wood dissappeared tomorrow I'd be stuck with a mortgage and no way to pay it. say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." *Thanks for confirming my suspicions about the redwood sapwood. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Some inexperienced builders and homeowners will use finish nails because finish nails are smaller, cheaper and easier to use then fastens with a head on them. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Fastens need to be galvanized, hot dipped if available. Required fields are marked *, 1508 Mission Street In any given year I'm sure that I tear out several small houses worth of perfectly good material from cdx plywood and studs to finish grade material and hardwood such as oak, cherry and mahogany. Chris Deziel has a bachelors degree in physics and a masters degree in humanities. Durable Wide-Plank Floors Made From Hickory, Podcast 479: One Story or Two, Basement Bunkers, and the Best DIY Spray Foam, How to Install Exterior Laminate PVC Siding, Podcast 478: PRO TALK With Home-Technology Expert Mike Bennett, Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets, Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job, Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse, 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat, Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing, Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters, The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. What are the advantages of using Douglas fir wood? *I just gotta say.Lets be responsible for how long the fence lasts, period. Thanks, Jeff.BTW, I perfer a semi-solid stain for exposed wood, doesn't seal as well as paintbut no scraping when you re-apply every other year! I appreciate those of you whose knowledge is from a different source than mine and I use the wood science boys at VPI for questions that require an answer I can't answer. Cedar is another good option. *Thanks for the suggestions. Thanks to the feedback I've gotten here, I'm going to be able to put in a fence that will last a long time. Redwood wood *Keeping in mind that I've never been a good painter, I've had my worst luck painting Redwood and Cedar. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Heart red wood again is the best option flowed by sap redwood then Douglas fir. The cost of a fence is based on the material used, the design and who builds it. A typical 6 tall dog eared redwood fence with all heart wood built by a competent builder should cost about $80 per linear foot. The price will vary based on the length of the fence. If I had to choose from ONLY these two materials I would pick DFir. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span These decisions early on determine if a fence will last up to 30 years or fall over in 3. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span The wood, fasteners and maintence all determine a fence's lifespan. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Ring shank nails have rings down the spine of the nail which help the nail from pulling out. Colour is just as rich, since it is penetrating you have less paint type problems such as peeling and blistering and reapplying is much less hassle.The problems associated with wood can often be eliminated through careful selection of the wood used and installing the wood properly. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span Moisture collects at these unions and starts rotting from the inside out. A more recent option for posts are Douglas Fir or Yellow Pine pressure treated with a fungicide that contains a variety of copper. The higher the concentration of copper the longer the wood will last but the more corrosive it will be on the fasteners so galvanized fastens are required. The copper gives the wood resistance to fungus and insects like termites. These posts are a good option. They are strong and resist decay but they typically covered in small dents from the preservative process. Many people dont like the appearance of these dents. An issue with these posts is the preservative is not present all the way through the board.
My general feeling is that to use wood wisely, you need to use it in a manner that will mean the wood will last in service longer than it takes to regenerate equal or like material (and that includes all the waste associated with processing). Should last a long time. span class 'Apple-converted-space' \/span When the wood is cut you expose the non treated wood. Jim I haven't had any problems with painting fir and I assume we are both talking about the same species. There are many options for wood posts. The gold standard is heart redwood. Heart means the post is cut from the center or heart of the Red Wood tree. Heart redwood has fewer knots, is denser and has a high concentration of tannin. The tannin gives the wood the red color and provides it natural resistance to decay. Heart red wood is a specialty product typically only available from a lumber yard. A 4 x 4 x 8 heart Red Wood post runs about $30 each. 9 Whats the difference between cedar, fir and pine fences? *Stanley, you're right on there. While Cedar plank is simpler to utilize and much more rot resistant being from the Type II durability class, Doug Fir is more powerful as well as Type III durability. 