Who is right???

10 years ago

Hello! I have 2 local companies bidding on a fence. We want to do a horizontal-slat contemporary looking fence like the photo. One company is telling me they won't do horizontal with cedar because it will twist and bend and look terrible. They'd only use redwood/sequoia, which is unaffordable. The second company says sure, no problem, we'll do horizontal with cedar. Who do I believe? We are in NJ, if weather is a factor...The fence isn't located in direct sun. Sections would be 6' wide, 4' high...Thanks for your advice!

Featured Answer

PRO

Jordons Cabinet Refacing

10 years ago

I'm not a fence pro, but do know wood. I think sealing and maintenance is a big factor, spraying on a coat of good fence/deck sealer yearly is a must to keep moisture out.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

User
10 years ago
Are they both talking about the same kind of cedar?
cfweber
Original Author
10 years ago
ranmarie, as far as I know they are.
Related Professionals
Anderson Interior Designers & Decorators · Fresno Interior Designers & Decorators · Glenwood Springs Interior Designers & Decorators · Boise Interior Designers & Decorators · DeRidder Architects & Building Designers · Bridgeport Architects & Building Designers · Everett Architects & Building Designers · Cape Coral Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Carbondale Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Clarksdale Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Oxford Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cedar Rapids Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Bloomington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · El Paso Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Gillette Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
User
10 years ago
Just wondered because our house was built in 1948 with red cedar from BC. It was neglected terribly but the wood was so durable that it held up remarkably well and we were able to fix the house up rather than knock it over. I am not knowledgable at all in what woods are best for what types of construction but you might want to do your research before you spend the money.

BTW,I love the type of fence your planning on putting up.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
If the cedar is good quality it really will not matter what direction it is in
Theresa Holt
10 years ago
http://www.expertfence.com/site-content/wood/cedar-vs-pressure-treated-pine/pine-vs-cedar/

Hope this helps.
printesa
10 years ago
You can have the fence, no problem. We have a pergola with horizontal slats as a wall where I hang plants. One section is about 10ft wide. It's been up for a year and we have no problems. I am bit lower than you, in DE, so same weather. Here is a photo of it without anything on it. I'll find another one with the plants on

Yard project · More Info
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
A 3/4" board of a certain grade will likely twist, that's the reality. To avoid that likelyhood have an addition vertical board nailed at the centre of each 6' span between posts. It will give the horizontal boards additional ridgidity and not interfere with the modern design. And I can also say that the quality of wood available on the shelves in the period before the advent of free trade was far superior for BC cedar and other species. All the best quality lumber is sent overseas to Japan and other buyers who pay a premium. Most lumber on the shelves now is utter garbage (I know because I've gone thru stacks of cedar at various yards pulling out the few 1/2 decent boards in an entire lift). I would rather pick my own lumber any day than have it pulled off the shelf by some 18 year old kid at Home Depot.
PRO
User
10 years ago
Get references from BOTH contractors and CHECK them. Which one has the most experience with what you want to do, then go for it.
User
10 years ago
Agree with Rusty, and then when the timber (structural) was delivered, they had switched it out for holey stuff. Just as well I was there when it came, to send it back. Stay on the job site.