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Cedar or Larch Fencing? Plus Design Ideas & Inspiration!

If you’re looking to create that ideal enclosed space or define your property, these two often come top of the list. Their physical, technical and aesthetic attributes lend themselves perfectly to the job.

At Duffield, cedar and larch are two of our most popular types of wood for fencing. And as your resident timber experts, we like to think we know a thing or two about them.

But which is the best choice for me? In this blog, we’re exploring what makes both species so great, which one might be better for your project, as well as some design inspiration to help you make up your mind.

Cedar or Larch: Which is Better for Fencing?

Cedar and larch boast a number of important natural properties — as well as an attractive appearance — making them both perfect for fencing. The key difference is cost; larch usually comes in at a cheaper rate than cedar, although cedar is still affordable for most projects.

Let’s take a look at the properties of both.

Cedar fencing

One of the most popular cedar species is Western Red Cedar. It originates from British Columbia specifically, although Now have British western Red Cedar grown in the UK.

Simply put, Western Red Cedar ticks all the right boxes for the task of fencing. A famously durable timber that machines excellently, cedar also contains natural oils that protect it from rot and fungus. It’s lightweight, highly stable and decorative.

Also, did you know that Western Red Cedar has a pleasant aromatic scent that it can retain for many years? Typical colours for Western Red Cedar include light golden-brown through to a darker brown. Some may even have a reddish tint — a gorgeous choice for fencing

  • Technical: Western Red Cedar machines very well, has great workability and finishes well.
  • Physical: Natural oils that give it protection from decay and fungal attack; a highly durable wood for external use. Lightweight and smooth.
  • Aesthetic: Famed for the contemporary look it gives, cedar combines interesting grain patterns with a warm colour range.

Left untreated, Western Red Cedar will weather to a distinguished grey, but there’s also the option to UV protect, stain or paint — the species takes finishes very well. We’ve even written a blog post about the treatment options you have for Western Red Cedar.

To avoid corrosion on the fixings as well as the cedar staining, make sure to use stainless steel nails.

Larch fencing

One of our most popular larch species is Siberian Larch. It originates from — you guessed it — the forests of Siberia, Russia. Another is European Larch.

With excellent physical properties, larch is extremely well suited to exterior application — cladding, decking and fencing. As well as working well and being durable, larch has natural physical properties that protect it from insect attack and rot.

Despite being a softwood, Siberian Larch grows very slowly, making it extremely hard and dense; it’s often seen as a cost-effective alternative to Western Red Cedar. If your project is much larger, or you’ve got an eye on keeping costs down, Siberian Larch is a safe bet.

  • Technical: Can be sawn and machined very easily.
  • Physical: A fantastically durable timber with natural resin, giving it excellent fungal and rot resistance. Resistant to knocks, scrapes and general wear and tear.
  • Aesthetic: A beautiful, warm yellow-to-orange shade, with gorgeous texture and colouring.

Larch is a low-maintenance timber species, but over time it will weather to a beautiful grey if left untreated. However, if you aren’t wanting it to grey there are plenty of treatment options for larch fencing.

Oh, and like with cedar, make sure to use stainless steel fixings to avoid corrosion and staining.

Different styles of cedar and larch fencing

Okay, enough about technical attributes. Let’s take a look at some ideas and inspiration for cedar and larch fencing projects.

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V-Groove board and framed Cedar fence.

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Horizontal Cedar Batten Fence.

Siberian Larch fencing project. Photo credit: Henry Woide Godfrey / Woide Angle Photography

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Shadow Gap Siberian Larch.

V-Groove Western Red Cedar.

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Mixed width cedar fencing.

Where can I purchase cedar or larch fencing?

You’re in the right place — Duffield Timber has a range of high-quality larch and cedar fencing available and ready to go. Get in touch to discuss your project requirements!

If you’re looking for more information about timber fencing, head over to our fencing inspiration hub.

For more specific fencing-related questions, or for more details on the cedar or larch available, our friendly timber team are always on hand — drop us a line!

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