Cedar Fence Calculator
Calculate cedar pickets, 2x4 rails, 4x4 posts and concrete bags for Western Red Cedar privacy fences with live material estimates.
Fence calculator
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Overview
Western Red Cedar and Northern White Cedar are naturally rot-resistant woods that resist decay without chemical pressure treatments. This calculator configures full bills of materials specifically for cedar privacy and board fences, including post spacing and board counts.
Cedar lumber shrinks and expands less than pine, but requires stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners to prevent black tannin streak corrosion around screw heads and nails.
Common mistakes
- Using electro-galvanized or standard steel fasteners that react with cedar tannins and cause permanent black streaks down pickets.
- Allowing bottom edges of cedar pickets to sit directly in soil or wet ground vegetation where moisture wicks up the end grain.
- Burying cedar posts without gravel drainage beneath the base, trapping ground moisture against the end grain.
- Omitting a 10 percent waste factor for natural wood grain defects, loose knots, and off-square cutoffs.
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Related reading
In-depth guides
Frequently asked questions
Why choose cedar instead of pressure-treated pine?
Cedar contains natural oils and tannins that resist insect damage and decay without added chemical preservatives, and warps significantly less than southern yellow pine during seasonal moisture swings.
What kind of nails or screws should be used on a cedar fence?
Use stainless steel (grade 304 or 316) or high-quality hot-dipped galvanized fasteners. Standard zinc or electro-galvanized nails react chemically with cedar extractives and leave dark discoloration.
How far apart should posts be on a cedar privacy fence?
Six to eight feet on center is standard. In open windy regions, six-foot post spacing prevents excessive wind pressure from flexing rails or loosening posts.
Should cedar fence pickets touch the ground?
Never let cedar pickets touch wet turf or topsoil. Leave a minimum 2-inch clearance above grade or install a sacrificial pressure-treated rot board along the bottom.
Do cedar posts rot in concrete footings?
Cedar posts set in concrete can rot if moisture is trapped. Drill holes with a 6-inch gravel base so water drains downward, and slope the top concrete surface away from the wood.
How many rails does a 6-foot cedar fence need?
A standard 6-foot privacy fence requires 3 horizontal 2x4 backer rails per section to prevent boards from cupping or twisting over time.
Does cedar require immediate staining or sealing?
Kiln-dried cedar can be stained immediately, while unseasoned green cedar should dry for 2 to 4 weeks until moisture content drops below 15 percent before applying oil-based stain.
How long does a Western Red Cedar fence typically last?
A properly maintained cedar fence with good drainage and quality stain lasts 15 to 25 years, while untreated pine posts typically fail within 10 to 15 years.