Can You Leave Cedar Fencing Untreated?

Picture of cedar fencing surrounding a hot tub.If you’re thinking about having a cedar fence installed, one of the questions that may be on your mind is whether the fencing needs to be treated. It’s important to distinguish between chemical treatment and sealing—while cedar fencing typically doesn’t need to be treated with chemicals prior to being installed (like pine fencing does), it will need to be periodically cleaned and sealed afterward.

Many people mistakenly assume that the only reason to seal a cedar fence is to preserve its color, and end up leaving their fencing unsealed simply because they don’t mind a grayish appearance. However, that’s actually not the case. Periodically sealing cedar fencing offers numerous benefits beyond simply preserving its color, making it a necessary step that should not be avoided. Although cedar is naturally more durable than many other types of wood—making it an excellent choice for fencing—it’s still susceptible to warping, splintering, cracking, and decaying when exposed to the elements and left untreated. Sealing your fence can help prevent these types of deterioration and possibly even extend the life of your fence.

How Often to Seal Your Fence

Your next question will likely be how often you need to seal a cedar fence. The answer will vary depending on a number of factors—such as the type of cedar fencing you’re having installed and the climate in your area—so you should follow any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer or your installer. With that being said, many industry experts recommend sealing cedar fencing every three to five years.

Premium Cedar Fencing in Northern Virginia & Maryland

If you own a home or business in Northern Virginia or Maryland, you can rely on Builders Fence Company for your cedar fencing needs. We’re pleased to offer western red cedar fencing to customers in Sterling, VA, Aldie, VA, and the surrounding area.

Contact Builders Fence Company today to learn more about our cedar fencing and schedule a complimentary consultation.

About Us
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Builders Fence Company provides more options for wood fencing because we are one of the only fencing companies in the area to carry and stock the best products including Western Red Cedar. We give our customers a pleasant experience by keeping appointment times, back up our warranties, and are available when you call the office.