Expert Guidance for Getting Decades of Performance From Your Cedar Fence
In New England, your fence works hard. It has to stand up to driving rain, snow and ice, coastal salt air, hot summers, and everything in between. That’s why so many homeowners and contractors choose cedar. A well-built cedar fence offers natural beauty, privacy, and durability—but how long will it actually last in New England, and what can you do to protect your investment?
At AVO Fence, we’ve been working with premium cedar lumber and custom fence solutions for New England properties for decades. Here’s our expert take on what you can realistically expect from a cedar fence—and how to help it last.
How Long Does a Cedar Fence Last in New England?
There’s no single number that fits every property, but in our climate you can typically expect:
- Cedar fence panels and boards: about 15–25+ years
- Cedar posts (in ground): about 10-15 years, depending on soil conditions and installation quality
- Cedar fence with ideal site, installation, and maintenance: often 25 years or more
The wide range comes down to five main factors:
- Lumber quality – Tight-grained cedar with some knots from the right species and cuts will resist decay and weathering much better than low-grade material.
- Climate exposure – Direct sun, constant shade, standing water, or coastal conditions all affect lifespan.
- Installation quality – Proper post setting, drainage, fasteners, and design details greatly influence performance.
- Maintenance – Regular cleaning, sealing, and small repairs add years of life.
- Use and wear – Gates, high-traffic areas, and pet runs tend to show wear sooner.
Because we specialize in cedar and understand local conditions, AVO helps you choose the right product and design to fit your site, not just a generic “one-size-fits-all” fence.
Why Cedar Performs So Well in Harsh New England Weather
Cedar is one of the best natural choices for New England fencing because it offers:
- Natural rot and insect resistance – Cedar contains oils and extractives that help it resist decay and many wood-boring insects without heavy chemical treatment.
- Dimensional stability – Cedar expands and contracts less than many other species, helping your fence stay straight and true through freeze–thaw cycles.
- Lightweight, strong boards – Easier handling for installers and less strain on fasteners over time.
- Attractive aging – Left unfinished, cedar weathers to a soft silver-gray that many New England homeowners love.
When you start with the right cedar and match the design to your property, you set your fence up for long-term success.
Common Causes of Premature Cedar Fence Failure
- Posts set without proper drainage – Water pooling around posts or concrete “collars” that trap moisture accelerate rot at the ground line.
- Inferior or mixed lumber – Combining cedar pickets with non-cedar rails or posts can shorten the life of the whole system.
- Wrong fasteners – Non-coated or low-quality fasteners can rust, stain the wood, and loosen over time.
- Vegetation and soil contact – Soil piled against boards, dense shrubs, or vines keep cedar damp and limit airflow.
- Lack of maintenance – Never cleaning or sealing the fence and ignoring minor damage lets small issues become big problems.
Working with a supplier who understands these pitfalls is critical. At AVO, we design and source cedar fence systems specifically to withstand New England’s realities, not just look good on day one.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Cedar Fence
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or installer, you can take definitive steps to extend the life of a cedar fence in New England.
- Start with Quality Cedar and Thoughtful Design
- Choose premium cedar boards, rails, and posts—not just cedar pickets on lower-grade framing.
- Consider post and hardware upgrades in coastal or high-moisture environments.
- Design for good airflow and minimal soil contact with the boards.
At AVO, our team will help you match product selections to your property conditions, style preferences, and budget so you don’t over- or under-build.
- Ensure Proper Installation
- Set posts to the correct depth below frost line with well-draining backfill.
- Avoid trapping water at the base of posts.
- Use stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized fasteners suitable for cedar.
- Keep pickets slightly off the ground to reduce prolonged moisture exposure.
If you’re a contractor or installer, AVO can review your plans, recommend best practices, and supply the right components for a long-lasting installation.
- Implement a Simple Maintenance Routine
- Annually: Inspect for loose boards, popped fasteners, and damaged sections; make small repairs right away.
- Every 2–3 years: Gently clean the fence to remove dirt, mildew, and pollen; reapply a quality stain or sealer if desired.
- Ongoing: Keep leaves, mulch, and soil from piling up against boards; trim back heavy vines and dense shrubs.
Regular, light maintenance is far more effective—and cost-efficient—than waiting until the fence looks severely weathered or unstable.
When to Repair vs. Replace a Cedar Fence
Even a well-built cedar fence will eventually show its age. As you evaluate options:
- Repair may be best if issues are localized (a few damaged boards or a leaning section) and the majority of the structure is sound.
- Replace may be the smarter long-term choice if posts are rotting at ground level, multiple sections are failing, or the fence no longer meets your privacy or security needs.
Our experts can help you assess your existing fence and recommend whether targeted repairs or a new cedar fence will provide better value over time.
Partner with New England’s Cedar Fence Experts
A cedar fence is an investment in your property’s privacy, curb appeal, and value—especially in a demanding climate like New England. Choosing quality cedar, installing it correctly, and following a simple maintenance plan can add years, even decades, to your fence’s lifespan.
As a locally focused supplier with deep experience in cedar lumber and custom fence solutions, AVO Fence & Supply helps homeowners, contractors, and installers throughout New England get the most from every fence project—from product selection and design to delivery and long-term performance.
Thinking about a new cedar fence or upgrading an existing one? AVO Fence can provide expert guidance. We are the leading supplier of cedar in the New England area with locations in Stoughton, Hingham and Plymouth, MA. Call us at 781-341-2963 and let us help you design a fence that's built to last.