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Had to choose between cedar and composite for a big job in Springfield
The client wanted a 200-foot privacy fence and was stuck between cedar and a composite material. I pushed for cedar because the ground there is pretty damp and I've seen composite boards warp after a few wet winters. We finished it last Friday and the homeowner already texted me saying it looks perfect. Anyone else have a strong opinion on cedar vs. composite for humid areas?
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troychen5mo ago
Emma_rodriguez30 has a point about some cedar rotting, but that's usually cheap wood or a bad install. Good cedar with the right treatment and a gravel base at the posts lasts decades, it just needs to breathe. Composite might not absorb water, but it gets slick and weird in constant dampness and holds heat like crazy. I've pulled out more warped, faded composite in shady, wet yards than I have properly done cedar.
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anderson.taylor5mo ago
Used to swear by composite for damp spots until my neighbor's deck turned into a hot, slippery mess last summer. Honestly, seeing his properly built cedar one right next to it, still solid after fifteen years, made me rethink everything. The composite just held all that moisture on the surface and got super gross. Now I'm convinced it's all about the install and the base.
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emma_rodriguez305mo ago
Wait, are you serious? I've seen cedar rot out completely in damp soil within five years. Modern composite is designed for exactly that, it won't absorb water at all. The key is using the right kind with proper drainage behind it.
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felixhenderson3mo ago
troychen said "I've pulled out more warped, faded composite in shady, wet yards than properly done cedar" - that's pretty much my experience too. I'll admit I'm the guy who once installed composite on a damp garage floor and watched it buckle like a cheap belt after one season. Cedar's not perfect, but at least I can screw it up without it turning into a Slip 'N Slide when it rains.
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