Do cedar fence boards shrink?

Western Red Cedar: This species of lumber is best for any type of board or picket fence – as long as the bottom of the fence is not continually touching the ground. Cedar is a very stable wood. It does not warp, shrink, or check, (split), as pressure treated pine will likely do eventually.

Do cedar fence planks shrink?

Cedar pickets will shrink as they dry out. A standard amount of shrinking of 1/4” should be expected. UPGRADING YOUR FENCE: The most important part of any fence is the posts. Most wood posts may last 12-18 years depending on soil conditions.

Do fence boards shrink over time?

Even when it's not raining, it will absorb the humidity in the air. Wood with high moisture content will swell as it absorbs water, then shrink as it dries.

How do you keep fence boards from shrinking?

Even if you use a stable outdoor wood like redwood or cedar for fence slats, you might want to design the fence to minimize the effects of shrinkage and get the most privacy. Overlapping the boards on alternate sides of the fence rails in a board-over-board configuration is the most effective way to do this.

Should you space cedar fence boards?

When building a solid privacy fence, the fence boards are either butted tightly together, or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch apart to allow the wood to expand and contract in wet and dry weather.

How To Eliminate Large Gaps Between New Wood Fencing, Before You Build

Can you put fence boards tight together?

For solid privacy fences, the fence boards can be butted tightly together or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch apart to allow for wood expansion and contraction during varying weather conditions.

Is it better to nail or screw fence boards?

Nails are faster than screws to install, meaning less labor for you or your builder (which may translate into lower installation cost). However, nails are more likely than screws to grow loose over time. Screws, on the other hand, secure the fence better than nails.

Why is my cedar fence warping?

Wood absorbs and releases moisture based on the relative humidity around it. If the wood you use for your fence has a lot of moisture in it, the material can shrink and warp as it loses moisture or dries out. If the wood has low moisture content, it might soak up moisture from the air and swell.

Why has my fence shrunk?

The best time to install a wood fence is in the cooler parts of the year so the material dries out more slowly. A lot of the warping, twisting, moving, shrinking and cracking will happen quickly after install, as your fence is drying out even before you should be staining and sealing you new wood fence.

Should you put a gap between fence boards?

If you're installing the boards horizontal, you'll want to leave 1/4 in -1 inches of space between the boards. For privacy purposes, get the boards as close together as you can. If it's impossible to do that, or you're worried about shrinking and expanding, leave 1/8 inch between each board.

Do treated fence boards shrink?

Over time, most treated lumber will shrink slightly across its width as it dries out. Take this small amount of shrinkage into account when laying decking or fence boards.

Do pressure treated fence boards shrink?

Even products that are sealed and treated are going to shrink. This most typically occurs across the width of boards, so builders should take into consideration the fact that their lumber will shrink over time. Additionally, as part of the drying stage of treated wood, the boards will crack, also referred to as checks.

Will pressure treated fence pickets shrink?

Pressure treated (PT) pine boards can warp and shrink as quickly as one month after installation.

Does cedar expand?

Tim Inman: Yes, the cedar will expand when it increases in moisture content, just as all woods will do.

How long does cedar need to dry before using?

Leave the cedar logs in place for 18 months to cure. Mark and measure any cracks in the wood on the individual sections. Over time, the crack will widen slightly, and new cracks will form. Keep note of the width and depth of the cracks during the curing process.

Why are my fence boards warping?

Fence boards made of wood naturally soak in water, causing them to grow in size. When the water is evaporated from the heat, the boards shrink again, which causes warping over time. Warping can be prevented through the use of pressure-treated wood, pre-drying, strong construction, and sealants.

What causes fence boards to split?

Pressure and moisture are the big crack culprits. New wood is wetter inside than many homeowners realize. Not only is there natural moisture, but lumber is often treated with chemicals to prevent rot. As the sun dries your new wood fence, it sucks out moisture, putting pressure on wood fibers.

How do you straighten warped fence boards?

Can cedar be left untreated?

Left untreated, cedar shakes — individual planks of one of several varieties of cedar — will discolor and begin to soften, with a possibility of rot after about five years, depending on the climate. There are several options for covering cedar siding, including stain, a clear treatment or paint.

Will cedar pickets warp?

Cedar Wood Fences

It's non-toxic and insect resistance. It's stable, and it doesn't shrink, splinter, or warp, which makes it the perfect wood for building fences. Cedar truly stands the test of time, and maintains its look for decades.

How far apart should fence posts be?

Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn't cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.

Can I use a finish nailer for fencing?

Do not use a finish nailer or bard nailer for fencing. While they are good for placing the wood in position, the diameter of the finish and brad nails are too small for fencing. You can however use a power stapler which the contractors often use for building fence and wood floorings.