Nearly every wood fence decision comes down to two choices: western red cedar or pressure-treated southern yellow pine. Both are good materials. They just optimize for different things — and the right pick depends on your budget horizon and how much maintenance you'll actually do.
Up-front cost: pine wins
Pressure-treated pine runs $18–$28 per linear foot installed for a 6-ft privacy fence; cedar runs $25–$40. On a 150-ft project that's roughly a $1,000–$1,800 difference on day one. Pine's price advantage is real and it's why it dominates the budget end of the market.
Lifespan and stability: cedar wins
Cedar contains natural oils that resist rot and insects, and it's dimensionally stable — it stays straight. Pressure-treated pine is rot-resistant by chemical treatment but tends to warp, twist, and check (crack) as it dries, especially in the first year. Cedar lasts 20–25 years; pine 15–20 with diligent upkeep.
Maintenance: a wash either way
Both need a UV-blocking, water-repelling stain every 2–3 years to hit their full lifespan. Cedar weathers to an elegant silver-gray if left unsealed; pine weathers to a blotchy gray and is more likely to warp if neglected. Neither is maintenance-free — if that's the goal, vinyl or aluminum is the honest answer.
The verdict
- Choose pine if: budget is the priority and you'll stain it on schedule.
- Choose cedar if: you want the best appearance and longest wood lifespan and will keep it sealed.
- Either way: set posts in concrete at 30+ inches and seal within the first 3 months.