The wood fence industry uses six primary species: cedar, redwood, cypress, fir, pressure-treated pine, and composite. Each has distinct characteristics that affect longevity, appearance, maintenance, and cost. Here's what fence professionals know about each one.
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar is the most commonly used premium fence wood in the United States. It's what most people mean when they say "cedar fence."
Why contractors prefer it:
- Natural resistance to decay, rot, and insect damage — no chemical treatment needed
- One of the longest lifespans of any North American softwood
- Exceptional dimensional stability — resists warping, cupping, and twisting
- Accepts stains and finishes easily
- Lightweight compared to other fence-grade woods (easier to handle during installation)
Lifespan: 15–25 years untreated, 25–35+ years with regular staining/sealing
Cost: $15–$25 per linear foot installed (6-foot privacy)
Regional note: Other cedar species exist — eastern red cedar, white cedar, and inland cedar — and are used in the fence industry regionally. They perform differently from Western Red Cedar. Eastern red cedar is harder and more aromatic but less dimensionally stable. White cedar is lighter and often used for split-rail fences in the Northeast.
Redwood
Redwood is the premium choice for fencing on the West Coast, particularly in California.
Characteristics:
- Natural decay and insect resistance similar to cedar
- Rich color that weathers to a silver-gray if left untreated
- Straight grain with minimal knots in higher grades
- Heavier and denser than cedar
Lifespan: 20–30 years, depending on grade and maintenance
Cost: $20–$35 per linear foot installed
Availability issue: Redwood is significantly more expensive outside the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Shipping costs make it impractical for fencing in Texas, Florida, or the Midwest. If you're east of the Rockies, cedar or treated pine will be more cost-effective.
Cypress
Cypress is the regional champion of the Southeast, particularly in Louisiana, Mississippi, and coastal Gulf states.
Characteristics:
- Natural oil content resists rot and insects
- Performs exceptionally well in humid, wet conditions
- Distinctive grain pattern
- Harder than cedar, which means better dent resistance
Lifespan: 15–25 years
Cost: $18–$28 per linear foot installed
Best for: Gulf Coast and Southeast installations where humidity and termite pressure are extreme. Not widely available or cost-effective outside its native range.
Pressure-Treated Pine
Pressure-treated (PT) pine — usually Southern Yellow Pine treated with copper-based preservatives — is the most commonly installed fence wood in America by volume. It's what you get at the big box stores.
Characteristics:
- Chemical treatment forces preservatives deep into the wood, providing rot and insect resistance
- Significantly cheaper than natural rot-resistant species
- Available everywhere in standard fence dimensions
- Must be stained or sealed — the treatment prevents rot but doesn't prevent weathering, cracking, or graying
- Heavier than cedar due to the treatment chemicals and pine's natural density
Lifespan: 15–20 years with proper maintenance
Cost: $12–$20 per linear foot installed
The trade-off: PT pine costs 30–40% less than cedar upfront, but requires more maintenance. Left untreated, it warps and cracks faster than cedar. With annual staining, the long-term cost difference narrows.
Chemical note: Modern pressure treatment uses Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) or Copper Azole (CA), which replaced the older CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) formulation. ACQ and CA are considered safe for residential use but are more corrosive to metal fasteners — always use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel hardware with PT wood.
Fir (Douglas Fir)
Douglas Fir is occasionally used for fencing, particularly on the West Coast.
Characteristics:
- Strong and relatively affordable
- No natural rot resistance — requires treatment or finishing
- Straight grain takes stain well
Lifespan: 8–15 years without treatment
Use case: Budget fencing where appearance is secondary. Not recommended for privacy fences in humid climates.
Composite
Composite fencing is made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic (polyethylene or polypropylene). It's marketed as a zero-maintenance alternative to wood.
Characteristics:
- Won't rot, split, or attract insects
- No painting or staining required
- Available in wood-grain textures and multiple colors
- Significantly heavier than wood (installation is more labor-intensive)
- Can't be cut and customized as easily as real wood
Lifespan: 25–30+ years (most manufacturers offer 20–25 year warranties)
Cost: $25–$45 per linear foot installed
The reality check: Composite costs 2–3x more than PT pine upfront. The math only works if you factor in zero maintenance costs over 20+ years. For homeowners who would actually stain their wood fence every 2–3 years, composite saves money long-term. For homeowners who won't maintain a wood fence at all, composite is the clear winner.
Quick Comparison
| Species | Cost/LF (6ft) | Lifespan | Maintenance | Best Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Red Cedar | $15–$25 | 15–35 yrs | Low–Medium | Nationwide |
| Redwood | $20–$35 | 20–30 yrs | Low–Medium | West Coast |
| Cypress | $18–$28 | 15–25 yrs | Low–Medium | Gulf Coast/SE |
| PT Pine | $12–$20 | 15–20 yrs | High | Nationwide |
| Douglas Fir | $10–$18 | 8–15 yrs | High | West Coast |
| Composite | $25–$45 | 25–30+ yrs | None | Nationwide |
What Most Contractors Actually Recommend
In most markets, the choice comes down to cedar vs. pressure-treated pine. Contractors in the South and Midwest install more PT pine because it's cheaper and readily available. Contractors in the Pacific Northwest and mountain states lean cedar.
The universal recommendation from experienced installers: whatever wood you choose, set the posts in concrete with steel post brackets or use steel posts entirely. The posts fail first on every wood fence. Steel posts with wood panels is the best of both worlds — 25+ year posts with the appearance of a wood fence.
*Source: American Fence Association Fence Installation School, industry material specifications*