The first thing you notice when stepping onto any property is the defining boundary - fencing. It’s not just a barrier but a reflection of your style, taste, and attention to detail.
But, finding the right cedar fence design requires a balance between functionality and aesthetics. This is something that has left homeowners and contractors feeling uncertain - so we’ve decided to put together this comprehensive list of the top cedar fence ideas as inspiration for your next project!
We’re here to help whether you're at the beginning of your fencing journey and feel overwhelmed by the multitude of options, or you're almost ready to start building and just need a bit more clarity.
Not only will we introduce you to the top cedar fencing ideas but we’ll also offer tips on how to bring them to life while showcasing our lineup of premium cedar fence boards. Let’s get right into what you came here for, though - the best cedar fence ideas in 2023.
G&B Quality Cedar can meet all your cedar board needs. This blog is informational only and not a replacement for expert advice. Please consult a professional before starting any building project as your needs and specifications may vary and it may not reflect the most current building codes, regulations, or industry standards.
The Top Cedar Fence Ideas We’ve Seen
Cedar wood offers a delightful aroma, naturally warm hue, and striking grain patterns. All of this contributes beautifully to an array of various fence designs.
Here are some of the top cedar fence ideas that have caught our eyes and have been widely embraced by homeowners around the world:
Traditional Picket Cedar Fence: A Classic Charm
The picket cedar fence brings with it an old-world charisma that's hard to resist. It’s a quintessential representation of the American dream. This fence style showcases cedar's natural beauty with evenly spaced vertical boards and a pointed top.
While traditionally painted white, a natural cedar finish allows the wood's inherent charm to shine through, creating a warm, welcoming facade for any home. Plus, it's easy to customize the picket width, spacing, and height to match your property's character.
Horizontal Plank Cedar Fence: Modern Elegance
The horizontal plank cedar fence is a top pick for those with a penchant for more contemporary aesthetics. Featuring wide planks placed horizontally, it provides a clean, linear look that's perfectly suited for modern architectural styles.
A horizontal orientation works exceptionally well in compact urban plots as it can make a space appear wider. And, given cedar's grain richness, each horizontal plank becomes a statement piece of its own.
Louvered Cedar Designs: Chic and Contemporary
The louvered cedar fence is making waves in contemporary home landscaping by combining functionality with a splash of modern design. Think of shutters, but for your fence - a series of parallel slats are angled to allow airflow while maintaining privacy.
It's a design that plays with light and shadow, creating a dynamic visual effect throughout the day. Not only does this design ensure privacy, but the spaces between the louvers promote wind flow, reducing the risk of your fence being blown down in windy conditions.
Shadow Box Cedar Fence: Aesthetics with Privacy
The shadow box design, often referred to as the “good neighbor” fence, uniquely offers the same appealing view from either side.
This design creates a consistent pattern that provides visual intrigue while maintaining a degree of privacy by featuring alternating boards on either side of the fence rail.
The overlapping boards, paired with the rich tones of cedar, cast varying degrees of shade as the sun moves, creating a 'shadow box' effect. This design not only looks visually appealing but also allows for air circulation, reducing the chances of wind damage - similar to the louvered cedar design we just discussed.
Cedar Fence with Top Detail: Decorative Lattices and Accents
Adding decorative top details is a simple way to elevate the look of a cedar fence. Lattice tops, with their crisscross patterns, provide a semi-open design, enhancing both aesthetics and privacy.
Apart from lattices, you can opt for scalloped or arched tops which bring a touch of sophistication. These accents celebrate the versatility of cedar, allowing intricate cuts and designs without compromising the wood's integrity.
Mixed Material Cedar Fences: Incorporating Stone, Metal, or Glass
Cedar is incredibly flexible when it comes to design, pairing seamlessly with a variety of materials. There are so many different directions you can take this cedar fence design idea.
Stone bases can add a rustic touch while providing additional sturdiness. Metal frames or inlays, on the other hand, provide a contemporary edge, perfectly complementing cedar's warm hues.
Incorporating glass panels amidst cedar boards offers a striking contrast and ensures your fence stands out. This is a perfect choice for those seeking ultra-modern aesthetics.
These combinations not only heighten the fence's visual appeal but can also enhance its structural strength, creating a fence that's both beautiful and built to last.
Why Choose Cedar for Your Fence?
These are the top cedar fence ideas we’ve seen in our experience here at G&B Quality Cedar Products. But let’s take a step back for a moment - why choose cedar for your fence in the first place?
In comparing a pressure treated vs cedar fence or other types of wood like pine, cherry, etc., cedar stands alone. Here’s why.
Natural Aesthetics: The Rich, Warm Appeal of Cedar
There's an undeniable charm in cedar that other woods can't match. Cedar fencing radiates a rich, warm hue, transforming ordinary spaces into picturesque landscapes.
Its unique grain patterns and knots give each cedar fence a distinctive look, ensuring that no two fences are the same. Cedar gracefully ages over time to a silvery-gray, adding a rustic, timeless beauty to your property.
Durability: Why Cedar Lasts Longer
This wood species has a natural structural stability, meaning it's less likely to warp, twist, or shrink. This strength ensures that your cedar fence remains upright and in shape for years, even in the harshest of climates.
Moreover, cedar possesses a natural oil content that fortifies it against decay, drastically reducing the chances of the wood deteriorating over time. Learn how long does a cedar fence last in our blog for more insights into the durability of this material.
Resilience: Cedar's Resistance to Weather, Pests, and Rot
One of the standout features of cedar is its inherent resilience. The same oils that give cedar its distinct aroma also act as repellents against pests, such as termites.
Furthermore, cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, especially when compared to other wood species. Its fibers contain oils that act as natural preservatives, making it one of the top choices for outdoor applications where resistance to the elements is vital.
Eco-Friendly: The Sustainable Choice
Cedar trees mature rapidly and are often sourced from sustainable forests where responsible logging practices are followed. This ensures that for every tree harvested, several more are planted.
Moreover, cedar is a natural, biodegradable material. This means old or discarded cedar fencing won't harm the environment as some synthetic materials might. You can’t go wrong with sustainable cedar fencing!
Tips on Bringing Your Cedar Fence Design Ideas to Life
You’ve probably already fallen in love with one of the cedar fence ideas we’ve shared with you. So, let’s now talk about how to make a cedar fence and empower you to bring your cedar fence design to life!
Understanding Your Space: Assessing Your Landscape and Property Lines
It's imperative to get a clear understanding of your property's dimensions before initiating any fencing project. Walk your property, noting any slopes, large trees, or other obstacles.
Survey your land if necessary to ensure you're clear on boundaries, avoiding potential disputes with neighbors. Trust us - it’s worth the work to prevent headaches after installation.
Setting a Clear Vision: Determining Your Fencing Goals and Objectives
Why do you want a cedar fence? Is it for privacy, curb appeal, or maybe to contain pets? By setting clear goals for your fence, you can determine the height, style, and layout that best meet your needs.
For example, maybe you’re interested in learning how to build a sound barrier fence. If so, the materials you’ll need differ from traditional cedar fencing as does the process of building. Learn more in our guide covering the best type of fence for sound barrier.
Material Selection: Choosing the Right Cedar Grade and Finish
Cedar comes in various grades and finishes. Clear cedar, for instance, is free from knots, while knotty cedar offers a rustic charm. Decide whether you want a smooth or rough finish, and consider treatments or stains to protect and enhance the wood's natural beauty.
We have a guide to choosing the best cedar for fencing, but we’ll spare you the trouble - it’s Western Red Cedar. Knowing this, it’s just a matter of choosing the right grade. We’ll help you with that later on.
Incorporating Additional Elements: Gate Designs, Post Toppers, and Lighting
A fence isn't just about the planks. Think about the design of your gates and how it can accommodate both pedestrians and vehicles.
Post toppers can add style, while lighting - be it solar or hard-wired - enhances safety and showcases the fence's beauty after dark.
Seeking Expert Advice: Leveraging Professionals for Best Results
Consulting with a fencing professional can offer insights you might not have considered even if you're a seasoned DIYer. They can provide tips on design, materials, and installation techniques to ensure your fence stands the test of time.
Budgeting and Planning: Estimating Costs and Setting Timelines
A clear budget will keep your project on track. Consider all costs, including materials, tools, and potential labor. Also, establish a realistic timeline, factoring in variables like weather and material delivery.
Maintenance Considerations: Post-Installation Care for Longevity
Your cedar fence, while durable, will benefit from regular maintenance. Periodically check for any signs of wear or damage, especially after storms. Clean and, if necessary, restain or reseal the wood to ensure your cedar fence remains as stunning as the day it was erected.
Get Professional Guidance If You’re Still Not Sure How to Design Your Cedar Fence
Embarking on a cedar fencing project can be a rewarding journey, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. A helping hand from professionals can make all the difference when aesthetics and functionality are at play.
All of this is to say that if you’re not feeling confident in the next steps to make your cedar fence design ideas a reality, it’s worth getting professional guidance. Here are some of your options:
Consulting with Landscape Architects: Making Your Vision a Reality
A landscape architect can help translate your fencing aspirations into functional and beautiful designs.
They take into account soil type, prevailing winds, sun angles, and other local conditions that might affect the longevity and appearance of your fence.
Engaging one early in the process ensures your investment in cedar not only looks good but also stands the test of time.
Digital Design Tools: Visualizing Before Building
There's no need to rely solely on sketches or your imagination. Numerous digital design tools, from simple apps to professional software, allow you to model your property and try out various fencing designs in a virtual environment.
This way, you can foresee potential challenges, tweak designs, and see exactly how your fence will complement your property, all before a single cedar board is purchased.
Visiting Fence Showcases: Real-world Inspiration
Pictures can only tell you so much. Consider visiting fence showcases or suppliers' showcases to truly grasp how a particular design or finish might look in the real world. You'll get a tangible feel for different cedar grades, finishes, and designs.
It's also an opportunity to ask experts on-site any pressing questions, ensuring you're entirely comfortable with your choices before commencing your project.
Need Quality Cedar Fence Boards? We’ve Got You Covered!
There’s one more piece of advice we want to offer before bringing this guide on cedar fence design ideas to a close. Even the best cedar fence ideas will fall short of your expectations if you use cheap quality lumbers.
So, save yourself the frustration and disappointment by shopping with us for the top-quality cedar lumber for sale in North America. We still grade our cedar by hand ourselves to maintain our strict quality standards - sorting out everything but the best pieces.
This means you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re getting the quality you deserve.
And, we stand behind that sentiment with a satisfaction guarantee. We’ll turn our delivery truck around if we show up and our lumber doesn’t meet your needs - you won’t pay a cent.
Our commitment to exceeding your expectations has earned us the reputation as the #1 supplier of cedar lumber in Canada and the US. But, you can also count on us for other materials like cedar siding, cedar deck boards, cedar soffit, and beyond.
So, if you still need materials to bring your cedar fence ideas to life, request a quote today, and let’s get your project underway!
Closing Thoughts on the Top Cedar Fence Design Ideas
Cedar fencing can be a statement for your property, blending nature's own artwork with human ingenuity. As we've explored, there are countless cedar fence ideas you can consider - from the classic charm of picket fences to the contemporary flair of mixed-material designs.
But whatever cedar fence design captures your imagination, remember that the essence of a perfect cedar fence lies in the details: choosing the right cedar grade, finishing it well, and maintaining its pristine condition.
Learn more about fencing in our blog where you’ll find resources on when to stain new cedar fence, treating cedar fencing, painting cedar fencing, the cost of sound barrier fencing, and more.
Otherwise, if you're set on making a statement with a cedar fence that lasts, start with the finest materials. Explore our range at G&B Quality Cedar Products, where we're not just about selling cedar - we're about helping dreams take root.
G&B Wholesale Lumber Incorporated does not assume any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information provided in this blog post. The reader is solely responsible for any actions taken based on the information presented. Any reliance on the information is at the reader's own risk.
G&B Wholesale Lumber Incorporated is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damage that may occur as a result of following the suggestions, tips, or recommendations provided in this blog post. Building projects involve inherent risks, and it is essential to exercise caution, obtain proper permits, and engage qualified professionals to ensure safety and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The inclusion of external links, references, or recommendations in this blog post does not constitute endorsement or guarantee the quality, reliability, or suitability of the linked sources. The reader should independently verify the information and assess its relevance to their specific circumstances. The author reserves the right to modify, update, or remove the content of this blog post at any time without prior notice. It is recommended to check for the most recent updates or consult with professionals to ensure the information is current and applicable. By reading this blog post, the reader acknowledges and accepts the above disclaimer and agrees to use the information provided responsibly and at their own discretion.