For traditional privacy fences, I install only Western Red Cedar (WRC).
I install a minimum of three rails for 6’ privacy fences.
Rails and pickets are fastened with screws – not nails.
Posts are buried 24” minimum with 60-120lbs of concrete (depending on the application).
Optional: eliminate maintenance issues by installing steel posts instead of wood.
Lumber is categorized by species and quality – called grade.
Pressure treated lumber is appropriate for exterior structures like decks where the shape is secured by the weight of a structure, but deteriorates quickly when used for fencing.
Hem-fir, Douglas-fir, and Pine – or “whitewood” are not suitable for exterior use.
Imported cedar is not suitable for fencing in climates like Colorado.
Lower grade lumber contains defects that affect strength and stability.
At a minimum, I install pickets rated standard-or-better.
I install premium posts and rails.
Posts or rails fastened to a building can create an entry point for moisture.
If your contractor does use nails, they should be galvanized ring-shank.
