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Cedar has a reputation for durability, but unless a few guidelines are followed, cedar posts can fail in as few as five years. Three factors contribute to this early failure: poor drainage, low-quality wood and poor protection against insect damage.
How long will untreated cedar last in the ground?
In outdoor structures that are not in contact with the ground, such as decks, gazebos, pergolas and fence boards, cedar may last 30 years or longer. When in contact with the ground, such as when it’s used for fence or support posts, it can last between 15 and 20 years.
How do you keep cedar posts from rotting?
Because water wicks up through the cut end grain of the post much more readily than it does through the sides of the post, either soak the end of the post in a preservative solution (copper naphthenate), or coat it with a waxy end sealer such as Anchorseal.
Can cedar post be buried in the ground?
Burying Cedar Posts Dig a hole for each post using a post-hole digger. Make its depth equal to half the height of the fence, or one-third of the total length of the post.
Do cedar posts need to be treated?
Although cedar woods contain preservatives that are harmful to decay-causing fungi, they must be maintained. Special attention must be paid to outdoor posts, the weight-bearing portions of most decks and fences, to ensure they are properly weatherproofed.
Will cedar rot in the ground?
Due to its chemical properties, cedar is naturally weather-resistant and repels most bugs. Don’t put cedar where it’s in direct contact with the ground or set it in concrete. It may last for a while, but eventually it will rot and deteriorate.
How long do cedar beams last?
Longevity. Cedar decks last 15 to 20 years, compared to 10 to 15 years for pressure-treated wood.
Should you stain cedar posts?
Although cedar is naturally resistant to rot and decay, staining your siding promptly will help in the preventing of deterioration.
How do you protect wooden posts in the ground?
How You Can Protect Your Wooden Fence Posts From Rotting Wet Rot Vs. Dry Rot. Choose Rot Resistant Wood. Dry the Fence Posts Out. Consider Adding Posts to Concrete. Apply Preservative to the Wooden Post. Consider Staining Your Wood. Start Digging. Fill Up the Hole.
Is cedar good for fence posts?
Cedar does not warp or shrink and is a naturally stable material perfect for picket and privacy fences. For fence posts, cedar can go several years without rotting; however, they tend to be less durable against soil erosion than pressure treated pine posts.
Can cedar posts be set in concrete?
Once your post is placed and set in concrete; you can then fill in the cut with concrete and smooth it out with a trowel. Another way to install a cedar post on concrete is to simply buy a flat mount concrete base for your post. You will need to drill holes into the concrete.
Should you tar fence posts?
Roofing tar is a traditional way of protecting fence posts. This method still works today and, while not attractive, treated fence posts don’t need any maintenance. Treat your fence posts as soon as you get them, and they will last for the lifetime of the wood.
How long do wooden fence posts last?
While treated timber posts can last from anywhere between 10-15 years, untreated timber may need replacing in under 5 years. What’s more, rotting, splitting and warping (where the post expands upon water absorption) are all very common occurrences for wooden fence post systems.
How do you protect cedar for ground contact?
The best way to treat wood for ground contact is soaking the part of the wood that will have contact with the ground in wood preservative for 20 minutes. Then paint the part of the wood with a thick layer of the same wood preservative. Let the wood dry overnight before you put it in the ground.
How do you protect cedar wood outdoors?
The best clear Cedar finish stain for outdoors is Linseed oil, hands down. Linseed oil is the primary ingredient in any oil finishes, which dries clear. You can find other clear water-based stains, but will not last nearly as long as a Linseed oil based stain will.
How do you preserve outdoor cedar?
On bare new or restored cedar, apply one coat only of water-repellent preservative (1% or less of wax by volume and content). Allow it to dry for the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. If the wood has been dip treated, a longer drying time may be needed.
Can cedar pickets touch ground?
When building a wood fence, be sure to plan for a space between the pickets and the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them) should be the only fence components that contact the ground. Wood pickets should never touch it.
Is cedar good for outdoor projects?
Cedar. Cedar is soft, light, and easy to work with. A drawback of working with cedar is the fact that it has poor screw-holding capabilities because of the overall softness of the wood. Although, it does make good outdoor furniture because it’s rot, termite, and Powder Beetle resistant.
Does cedar need to be sealed?
Cedar offers a durable option for exterior and interior building projects with natural resistance to rot and decay, so a protective finish is optional. If you’re using cedar for an outdoor project, give it a light seal coat to guard against moisture and sunlight.
