Treated pine is a great option if you're looking for a budget-friendly timber fencing option.
It's also relatively easy to install, and it will last for several years before needing to be replaced. However, treated pine timber fence is not as durable as hardwood, and it will eventually rot and decay.
Hardwood fences are more expensive than treated pine fences, but they last much longer. Hardwood posts are also more resistant to moisture, termites, and insects attack, making them better for humid climates. Compared to treated pine, hardwood paling fences can be more difficult to install.
For a durable and long-lasting fence, choose hardwood over CCA treated pine. Hardwood is also less likely to warp over time, making it a better option in humid climates with a higher humidity level. If you can afford the upgrade, hardwood posts and fences are a great choice for your home.Treated pine is pinewood injected with an oil or a water-based wood preservative that improves the protection of the treated timber from attacks by fungi and termites. Therefore, treated timber is suitable for fence posts and fence palings. However, even with treatment, pine palings or fence posts are not as durable as hardwoods, and they will eventually rot and decay. The pinewood is treated with a chemical preservative called CCA, or chromated copper arsenate. This ensures that the wood resists termites, insects and fungus, but it also makes it more flammable than other types of wood because of its arsenic content. Treated pine is not typically used for areas that will be frequently exposed to sunlight over time because exposure to sunlight will also cause it to decay more quickly.
Hardwood is also more resistant to moisture and insects, making it more suitable for humid climates. A hardwood paling fence can be more difficult to install than treated pine. However, hardwood lasts much longer than treated pine. Hardwood is a durable type of wood that may last several decades before needing replacement. It's also less likely to warp over time and will not crack as easily as treated pine because it contains fewer knots and splits in the grain pattern. If you want a fence that will give you privacy from neighbours and last even longer than treated pine without having to worry about rot or insect damage, choose hardwood instead. The price, though, will be higher.
Using hardwood fencing materials is best if you're looking for a quality, attractive paling fence that will also last a long time. The price of hardwood is higher than that of treated pine fencing material, but it is worth the investment if you want something that looks great and will last for many years without any problems. There are several types of hardwood that you can use for your new or upgrading an old fence, so you can find one that matches the style of your home and yard. Some of the most popular varieties include cedar, oak, and walnut. All of these timbers have unique characteristics that make them appealing for different fence applications. Cedar is a good timber fencing choice if you're looking for durable wood that's resistant to decay and insects. It has a natural resistance to moisture, making it ideal for use in humid climates. It also contains natural oils that help repel water and prevent warping over time. Oak is an excellent choice if you need a strong, durable timber fence for high traffic areas or keep animals in or out of your yard. Its durability makes it less likely to warp than other types of wood like cypress pine. Walnut is another quality choice if you're looking for a stronger picket fence wood that's more resistant to rot, insects and termites than untreated cypress pine lumber. Hardwoods are also more stable than treated timber fences. Palings and rails won't change shape as quickly when exposed to weather conditions like rain, snow, sun exposure, etc., over long periods of time like treated lumber can.
Treated pine posts are widely available. This is an attractive option for homeowners on a fence installation budget. Treated pine is also easier to find than other types of wood like hardwood, which can make it more convenient if you need to replace or upgrade or fix a totally new fence.
However, treated lumber will not last as long as hardwood over time because it's made with arsenic compounds. Even though the CCA chemical has been regulated in recent years. It still exists in some products sold to consumers in the timber industry.
The arsenic-based chemicals used to treat treated pine can enter the environment once they're discarded into landfills, too. Even though elements within the wood resist decay and insects, the arsenic will eventually leach out and contaminate the soil and groundwater.
In addition, treated pine is more flammable than other types of wood because of its arsenic content. Treated pine is not typically used for areas that will be frequently exposed to sunlight over time, like a fence, because exposure to sunlight will also cause it to decay more quickly.
The cost of pine posts, treated pine palings, or rails is much lower than that of hardwoods. A treated pine timber fence, when maintained correctly, has a long life span compared to untreated timber. Take a look at the average costs and types of timber fencing.Chromate copper arsenate (CCA) is a chemical that has been used to treat wood products, like fence posts and lumber, since the 1940s. It's a mixture of three compounds: chromium, copper, and arsenic. The arsenic in CCA-treated products provides protection to timber fences against wood decay and insects, while chromium and copper help to preserve the colour of the wood. The use of CCA in the timber industry has come under scrutiny in recent years because of health concerns related to its arsenic content. There are concerns about the treatment chemicals dissolving into the ground when the treated timber is disposed of. Generally, studies show that a high risk of exposure occurs when CCA treated timber is burned. Burning treated timber makes the arsenic bioavailable through the smoke.
No, hardwoods, unlike softwood timbers, do not have a chemical treatment applied. There are limited cases of treated hardwood, but the grains of hardwoods prevent the intake of treatment chemicals. Hardwood timber is naturally resistant to decay, termite infestation, and insects due to the tannins (a type of phenolic compound) found in their bark and sap. Tannins are also found in tea, coffee, and some types of wine, making them effective at preserving these beverages over time. This natural resistance makes hardwood materials highly recommended for fences, decks, and other outdoor applications where they will be regularly exposed to the elements. Hardwood is also more durable than treated lumber, meaning it has a longer life with less maintenance.
Unlike CCA treated pine palings, timber fencing made from hardwoods does not need painting or sealing to protect them from the elements. Hardwoods fence palings are naturally resistant to decay and insects due to the tannins found in their bark and sap. Tannins are also found in tea, coffee, and some types of wine, making them effective at preserving these beverages over time.
This natural resistance makes hardwood an excellent choice for fences, decks, palings, rails, and other outdoor applications where it will be regularly exposed to the elements. Generally, hardwood is also more durable than treated timber, meaning it will last longer with less maintenance making it ideal for structural retaining walls too.
If durability is your number one consideration, consider metal fencing options instead of timber fencing. Metals posts and paling fences are highly functional. You can choose from a wide range, including round, t-shapes, square posts and Colorbond. The New South Wales EPA has an informative guide to handling treated timber.