I’m designing a privacy fence for a portion of my garden. After getting some quotes from my local lumberyard for cedar, I’ve decided to use pressure treated lumer for my 6X6 posts and rails, and 1X6 T/G cedar for the infill and other trim.
My questions concern the pressure treated lumber. I would like a natural finish – i.e. no paint or staining. I understand that it will take a while for the greenish color to fade away, and I’m OK with that. But do I need to concern myself with the shrinking and/or cracking of the PT lumber? The guy at the lumberyard said that if I would get a coat of something (even if it was just linseed oil) on the PT lumber withing a few months of installing, it would help prevent the cracking. If I do this, will it affect the “natural” look I’m looking for?
Also, do I need to worry about the 6X6 posts shrinking in the post holes and loosening? I plan to set them in crushed limestone.
Any other advice you have on this subject would be appreciated.
Thanks
Replies
Dear Yaroot,
In my experience (working with the paint experts at Consumer Reports magazine for many years), it'll be hard to get a natural look on the fence posts without committing yourself to frequent maintenance. The best protection for exterior wood is an opaque stain; it keeps cracking and checking at bay the longest. Clear finishes last barely a year before they need to be reapplied. You might see if you can find (or mix) an opaque stain (Cabot makes a good line) that comes close to mimicking the look of natural wood.
Or, reread Tom Sawyer and get your friends to help you paint a fence.
Hope this helps,
David Heim
Managing Editor
FineWoodworking.Com
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