Fence Guides
Cedar vs pine: which wood fence should you build?
Cedar and treated pine are the two woods we install most across North Mississippi and the Memphis area. They differ on cost, how they age and how much upkeep they ask for. Here is an honest side-by-side so you can pick the one that fits your yard and budget.
Cedar vs pine, side by side
| Factor | Cedar | Treated pine |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | The upper half of our installed wood privacy range of about $25–$55 per foot, depending on height and style. | The lower end of that same $25–$55 per foot range, which is why it shows up on long runs and budget projects. |
| How long it lasts | Longer, because its rot resistance is in the wood itself and does not wash out or wear off. | Long when the treatment is intact and the wood stays sealed; shorter when it is never re-sealed. |
| Rot and insect resistance | Naturally resistant without chemical treatment. | Resistant because it is pressure treated; performance depends on the treatment grade and on keeping it sealed. |
| Stability over time | Tighter grain and lower moisture movement, so boards tend to stay flatter. | Arrives with more moisture and is more prone to warping, cupping and twisting as it dries out. |
| Staining and finish | Takes and holds stain well; looks good stained or left to weather to a silver-gray. | Should dry before staining, and generally needs sealing sooner and more often to hold a finish. |
| Appearance | Warmer color, fewer and tighter knots, a more finished look on board-on-board and cap & trim styles. | More knots and a greener cast when new; looks best once dried and stained. |
| Maintenance | Cleaning and re-staining on your schedule to keep the color. | Same routine, but sealing matters more to reach a long service life. |
What each one actually costs here
Installed wood privacy fence generally runs about $25–$55 per foot across North Mississippi and the Memphis area, using our own estimator pricing. Treated pine sits at the lower end of that range and cedar at the upper end. Height and style decide where you land inside it: a 6-foot board-on-board cedar fence prices well above a 4-foot pine privacy run, because height adds material to every single foot.
Gates, slope, rock, tight equipment access and removal of an old fence are added on top, and there is a $750 minimum job charge. The gap between the two woods is usually smaller than homeowners expect once labor, posts and gates are in the number — which is why plenty of people who came in planning on pine end up choosing cedar.
How to choose
Choose cedar if…
The fence is a visible part of your yard, you want it to stay straight and hold a stain, and you would rather spend more once than fight warped boards later. Cedar is the material behind most of our board-on-board, cap & trim and horizontal privacy work.
Choose treated pine if…
You need to enclose a lot of footage for the lowest wood cost, and you are willing to let the boards dry and then seal them. Sealed and maintained, pine gives you a good-looking privacy fence for less money up front.
Either way, the posts decide how long it lasts
Boards are only half the fence. Our driven galvanized steel-post option sets posts approximately 40 inches into the ground on applicable installations, metal-framed gates are available as an upgrade, and every install carries our 2-Year No-Questions-Asked Workmanship Warranty.
Cedar vs pine questions
How much does a cedar fence cost vs a pine fence per foot?
Using our own estimator pricing, installed wood privacy fence generally runs about $25–$55 per foot in North Mississippi and the Memphis area. Treated pine sits at the lower end of that range and cedar at the upper end, with height, style and site conditions deciding where you land. Gates and site work are added on top, and there is a $750 minimum job charge. You can price your exact yard in a few minutes with our estimator.
Which lasts longer, a cedar fence or a treated pine fence?
Cedar generally lasts longer with less intervention, because its rot and insect resistance comes from the wood itself and cannot wash out or wear off. Treated pine can last a long time too, but it leans on its chemical treatment and on being sealed and re-sealed. On both, the posts usually decide the real lifespan more than the boards do.
Does Memphis-area humidity change the answer?
It sharpens it. Hot, humid summers followed by heavy rain cycles push moisture in and out of the boards, which is exactly what causes pine to warp, cup and twist. Cedar's tighter grain moves less through those cycles, which is the main reason it is our most recommended wood here.
Is a cedar fence worth the extra cost over pine?
For most backyard privacy fences in our area, yes. Cedar's natural rot and insect resistance, tighter grain and better stain retention mean it usually stays straighter and looks better longer, which is why most of our customers land on cedar as the value pick. Treated pine is still a solid choice when budget is the deciding factor and the fence will be sealed and maintained.
Does pine warp more than cedar?
Pine is more prone to warping, cupping and twisting because it holds more moisture when it is installed and moves more as it dries. Cedar's tighter grain moves less, so boards tend to stay flatter over time.
Do you have to stain a cedar fence?
No. Cedar can be left to weather to a natural silver-gray without hurting its rot resistance. Staining is about keeping the warm color and adding a layer of protection, and cedar holds stain well when you do.
How soon can you stain a treated pine fence?
Treated pine needs to dry out before it will accept a stain, so staining is not something to do the week it goes up. Wait until the boards are dry, then seal them — pine relies on that finish more than cedar does.
Which wood is better for a privacy fence in the Memphis area?
Both are installed here every day. Cedar is our most recommended privacy material because of how it handles heat, humidity and rain cycles without chemical treatment. Pine is the budget option and performs well when it is sealed and maintained.
Do the posts matter more than the wood?
Posts are what usually fail first on a wood fence, regardless of the boards. Our driven galvanized steel-post option sets posts approximately 40 inches into the ground on applicable installations, and metal-framed gates are an available upgrade rather than standard on every gate.
What warranty comes with a wood fence?
Every installation is backed by our 2-Year No-Questions-Asked Workmanship Warranty. Call us at 662-806-7800 if you want to talk it through.