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The cedar versus pressure-treated pine debate for a big job in Spokane
Got a call for a 300 foot privacy fence around a new house last spring. The owner wanted it to look good but was on a tight budget. I laid out the two main options: cedar, which looks great right away and ages well, but costs more, or pressure-treated pine, which is cheaper but needs paint or stain to look decent. I pushed for cedar, even though it was about $800 more for the materials, because I knew it would last longer with less work for them. They went with the pine to save money. The job itself was fine, but six months later they called, upset that the wood was already looking gray and rough. I had to explain that's just what pine does if you don't seal it fast. Now I wish I'd been firmer about the cedar choice. Anyone else run into this and have a good way to talk clients into the better long-term material?
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