How to Care for Your New Cedar Fence

Of all the many fencing materials on the market today, cedar is one that we are particularly fond of. It’s beautiful, it’s affordable, it smells fantastic, and—most importantly—it’s durable. So durable, in fact, that it requires virtually no maintenance.

That’s right: so long as you don’t mind the natural gray or silky appearance of seasoned cedar, there’s no extra measures you have to take to make your new fence last longer. 

But if you’d like to hold on to the beautiful red tint of your new cedar fence, we’ve got good news. There are simple steps you can take to preserve that eye-catching color for years to come. Here’s what we recommend.

Knowing What to Expect from Your Cedar Fence

Cedar is naturally durable and our materials are among the best the industry offers. But as time goes by, you can expect some changes to this organic product. 

For example, some natural shrinking and swelling may occur as your fence adapts to its environment. This is perfectly normal and is not cause for concern. 

Seasoned cedar is also prone to natural graying. Again, this is not a problem and will not affect the life expectancy of your new fence. So long as you are not overly hard on or abusive to the product, there is nothing you need to do to ensure it continues to stand tall for years to come. 

With that in mind, we’ve outlined the following tips to simply assist you in keeping your fence looking shiny and new. If you appreciate the silky gray appearance of a seasoned fence, there are no maintenance tasks you need to worry about! 

Cleaning Your Cedar Fence

To keep up the appearance of your cedar fence, you should give it a quick cleaning about once a year. There are several different ways you can tackle the job.

Here are a few options to consider:

1. Create a mixture of warm water and non-ammonia dish soap to spray on the fence. If you notice any stains, try gently scrubbing them out with a scrub brush. Rinse the fence with water when you are done.
2. Do a quick and simple pressure wash along the surface of the fence. (We recommend using the 500 pounds of pressure PSI setting on your washer.)
3. Combine baking soda and vinegar to create a solution for spot-cleaning any stubborn stains along the fence. Vinegar is especially effective at removing mold and mildew. 

When you’re cleaning your cedar fence, it’s always best to err on the side of soft, non-chemical cleaning solutions. Any of the options we’ve listed above will help you avoid splintering or damaging the wood. 

Sealing Your Cedar Fence

There is no end to products you can use to seal and stain your cedar fence. But in our nearly 100 years of business, we’ve learned that some products are vastly superior to others.

If you’re hoping to keep your cedar fence looking brand new for years, we recommend that you follow these sealing and staining guidelines:

• Never paint a cedar fence. Opt for a solid or semi-transparent stain instead.
• Avoid using a clear stain as these products don’t do much to preserve the appearance of the wood.
• Choose a semi-transparent stain if you’d like to see the natural fibers of the wood shine through.
• Opt for a latex-based stain if you’re looking for something that’s easy to put on and provides a lot of coverage.
• Turn to an oil-based stain if you’re willing to do a bit more work for something that looks better and lasts longer. (Oil-based stains are notoriously messy and difficult to apply. But they are beautiful and provide greater moisture protection.)

Remember, adding a stain to your fence won’t make it last any longer. But it will keep it looking new for longer. If that’s your goal, we recommend you apply a new coat of wood stain every three to five years. 

Enjoying Your Cedar Fence for Many More Years

Again, maintaining a cedar structure is only necessary for those who want to hold onto the beautiful look of a new fence. No matter what you do (or don’t do) you can plan on enjoying your investment for many years to come. 

And if you do want to keep the red hue of your beautiful cedar fence? Thankfully, that’s pretty easy too. By occasionally inspecting, cleaning, and sealing your fence, you’ll make sure it continues to look brand new.