Best wood for fencing? (Pecos: vs, stores, rail)

[TexasRedneck]

Okay....I'm doing research in preparation for replacing our privacy fencing, and knowing the wide range of folks we have here, I KNOW that we'll have someone that can answer this:

What's the best choice of wood for doing a privacy fence? Seems to me that I've heard "Spruce", but I don't recall for sure - and this isn't something I particularly want to do again in the near future - we're talkin' 200' of fencin' on each side, and another 120' along the back. Will probable do it ourselves, but need recommendations on the best type of wood to do it with. We'll likely do basket weave - from my experience, it's got the lowest wind-load of any of the privacy type fences.

Thanks!!

[markintosh]

TR:

I'm not an expert, but we just had a picket fence built, and I can tell you from research that cedar is one of the better materials, and therefore more expensive. I saw lots of fence companies who sold panels made of cedar...

This may help...

Wood Fence - Wood Privacy Fence | Fence Companies - Find a Fence Company Near You Today - USFenceGuide.com

[Primo]

Pressure treated wood and hand select each and every piece. It does last longer than cedar. Cedar looks nicer and takes stain better, but does not last as long as pressure treated. A thick cedar post may last forever, but a thin fence plank does NOT.
Use metal post with concrete in the ground and the brackets to mount the (pressured treated) 2x4 sideways.
Use deck screws and put the board right next to each other...they are wet and and will shrink in about a year and leave the perfect tiny gap in between the boards to let enough wind through.

Try to avoid having any of the boards touch the ground.

[kevcrawford]

I prefer cedar and am actually in the process of getting mine replaced. Pressure treated will last a long time, but so will cedar. The difference is that pressure treated tends to warp and bend. Even if you hand pick each picket. If you do pressure treated, you NEED to make sure you have three cross beams (2x4) to at least try to minimize it, but you'll still have some warped pickets. Cedar stands very straight and looks good for a long time. It's also easily power washed and stained when it gets older.

[TexasRedneck]

Thanks, guys....looks like we're leaning to cedar. Also looks like a DIY project - between the two sides and back, I'll have about 400' to do - it's gonna git expensive! Mebbe I'll put up a collection jar....

[kevcrawford]

I'm looking at about the same amount that I'm having replaced. I just did the math in my head on how long it'll take me vs how long it'll take the pros, and went with them. Have to pay for the materials either way. They gave me a pretty aggressive bid too. Let me know if you want their info. He did my gates a while back and I was thoroughly impressed.

[TexasRedneck]

Kevin - yeah, please DM me their info....

[egeorge]

3 tips...

-Make sure they use the wider planks as they will not warp as easily
-Make sure they use galvanized ring shank nails which have groves that grab the wood. They won't come loose like regular nails
-If you can afford it, get a 3 rail fence as they are more stable and will further prevent warping.

I got all three for my fence last sumer and am very happy with it.

P.s. I got cedar pickets but PT rails and posts since they are thick so warping isn't an issue. They are a bit different in color but as it ages they will blend more and the fence should last a really long time.

[TexasRedneck]

Thanks for the input - yeah, we're definitely going with the wider boards! Also, you've gotta watch out, because some of the fencing the box stores sell is actually 5/8" instead of a full 3/4", which means it won't last as long, and be a lot more prone to warping.

[RGJ]

My neighbor just installed a new fence himself, but he bought the boards at Pecos Fencing instead of the box stores. Little more expensive, but when replacing a fence(which is not really something you like to do often), go with the good stuff.