Natural & Aromatic
At Sovereign Fence, we mostly use Western Red Cedar for our cedar fence builds. Western Red Cedar is one of the strongest cedars on the market, lasting up to 20 years without paint or stain, fading to a light gray colour. However, Japanese Sugi is an economically viable option to inquire about as well. Cedar fences look and smell amazing, being prized for their aesthetics and fragrance. Cedar manages to wonderfully balance a rustic feel with high-quality luxuriousness. If you’re looking for a reliable contractor for Edmonton cedar fences, we’re ready to tell you about our special pricing this year for cedar.
The King of Wood
For a fence material, cedar has two very necessary qualities – durability and appearance. Simply put, cedar results in a straighter and more visually appealing final product versus treated lumber. Cedar is always more expensive upfront, but if you are willing to properly maintain your cedar fence, then it will outlast a comparable treated fence, helping to offset the initial investment.
Although cedar is a softwood; it is still one of the most durable types of wood – standing toe to toe with the likes of cypress and fir, while outclassing spruce and pine. Aesthetically, cedar is unsurpassed. It is straighter, more resistant to cracks/splinters/chips, and has a finer grain, leaving your property with a rustic, yet naturally beautiful curb appeal. Cedar is naturally resistant to insects and decay, unlike pressure treated which has these qualities through chemically applied treatment.
Since cedar doesn’t require chemical treatment to ensure its strength, it is more environmentally friendly and easier to dispose of – cedar makes great firewood. Over time, cedar fades to a light soft gray, if not stained or painted. We recommend if you are to invest in cedar that you stain it with a natural grain stain every 8-12 years. If you do this, the fence will last longer than you will. Ask us and we can recommend a few choices for the best type of stain to use for your project.
During the construction of your cedar fence, we only use stainless steel screws. Beware of contractors who are inexperienced working with this material, and use standard screws or ACQ screws which will eventually cause unsightly black streaks to run down your new cedar fence.
It is no wonder that cedar has remained a common choice for fences in the city of Edmonton, Spruce Grove, and northern Alberta in general as a wood fence material. Although all of the material is noticeably higher quality when compared to its treated counterpart, the fence boards are likely the most sizable upgrade. It can be a common solution to mix treated fence posts with cedar fence boards to create a fence that balances price and aesthetics.
As long as the budget can accommodate the higher upfront installation cost, and the fence is properly maintained, cedar can still be an economically sound choice in the long run. This wood is crowned to be the #1 recommendation by Sovereign Fence for Edmonton cedar fences, our customers that decide to go for cedar are left speechless with the beauty of their new fence. Our cedar is all hand-picked directly from the lumber yard and sourced from British Columbia through San Cedar Direct.
The most common wood type for fencing material in Edmonton is pressure-treated spruce. Cedar is another standard premium option. Please inquire if you have another wood type in mind.
Essentially you have the choice between 4×4, 4×6, or 6×6 posts. Horizontal rails can be 2×4 or 2×6 and there can be 2 or 3. Fence pickets may be spaced out, tightly butted together, or overlapped for complete privacy. The post tops may be cut into a pyramid, flat, or at a consistent angle all the way across. You may also opt for a decorative top covering. Spans between fence posts are typically 8′ wide, although with 6×6 posts 10′ spans is common.
The City of Edmonton allows for fence heights of up to 1.85m or 6’1″ in the side and rear yard, and 1.2m or 4′ in the front yard, you can read more about city fence bylaws here. Also, remember we are able to build any design requested and will advise you when a permit would be needed.
The following descriptions of different fence styles are just examples to give you an idea of what is potentially available. We are able to accommodate any desired style. Note that the photos may have treated wood but the style would be the same.
Pressure Treated Green
Pressure Treated Brown
Pressure Treated Sienna Brown
Western Red Cedar Wood
If you are unsure that cedar is the right choice for you, perhaps a more “set it and forget it” style of fencing is more appropriate. Cedar does require staining to ensure maximum lifetime, but with the right stain, you’ll only be staining every 8-12 years. However, if you’re looking to forgo any maintenance, then consider either vinyl fencing or chain link fencing for your next project.
Whatever your choice of material, you can guarantee quality worksmanship at an affordable rate, contact us now for your free quote and find out what special offers we are able to provide you for your fencing project.
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