Cedar is a durable lumber choice that holds up well against any kind of weather. If you’re planning to add a cedar fence to your property, knowing how to pick the wood and other building materials is a necessity along with planning how to erect your new fencing. Here is a guide to get started.

How to Build a Cedar Fence

Choosing the Right Lumber & Supplies

Before purchasing any lumber, determine how high your fence will be. If you’re interested in a privacy fence, it should be at least six feet tall, but more decorative fencing can be shorter. Choose 4x4s for the posts and 1x6s for the cross beams. Make sure to check your area’s zoning and ordinances as well to stay within compliant limits.

Once you’ve determined how tall and how many feet of lumber you will need, head to your building supply store to select wood. Cedar is a top option due to its natural durability, warp and decay resistance, and rustic, warm aesthetic. It’s also sustainable and has very little impact on the environment compared to other types of wood.

Other necessary materials include cement mix, measuring tape, and a post hole digger with an auger for setting wood posts. Have a chisel, hammer, and circular saw and table saw ready as well as a fence post level, chalk, and spray paint. As for hardware, choose a 15-gauge finish nailer with two-inch galvanized nails.

Steps for Building Your Fence

Mark each location for posts with spray paint until the whole area is laid out. Leave at least four inches of clearance on each side. Once your layout is done, dig holes for posts and have your cement mix ready. After setting each post, fill in the hole with the cement, leaving a few inches to fill with soil after it is cured. Stake each post so they remain level during the curing process, using a fence post level to measure.

Cut your posts to the right height and stretch a chalk line between the outside posts so your fence stays straight and level. Attach your 1x6 boards for the rails, ensuring the top rail height is an inch above post height, which takes into account the thickness of the fence cap. Then, begin adding your fence boards, keeping them ¾ inch off the ground and level with the top. Finish off with a cap at the top made from 1x6 piece.

For top quality lumber and building materials for your fencing project, head over to Stayton Builders Mart. Located in Stayton, OR, since 1977, the store offers an extensive inventory of wood, plumbing supplies, paint, roofing necessities, and everything else you need for your next construction or remodeling project. Locally owned and family-operated, their staff can guide you to finding the right choices for your needs no matter the size of the job. Call (503) 769-7118 for help or visit them online for more on their lumber products.