We just bought a place in North Vancouver — is Western Red Cedar really worth the extra cost for fencing?

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Vancouver Fence Builders · Accepted Answer

Yes, Western Red Cedar is absolutely worth the extra cost for fencing in North Vancouver — and arguably more so there than anywhere else in Metro Vancouver. The North Shore's heavier rainfall (some areas receive over 2,000mm annually, compared to roughly 1,200mm in central Vancouver), frequent mountain outflow winds, and heavily treed, shaded lots create conditions that are especially punishing for lesser fence materials. Cedar's natural rot resistance, dimensional stability, and performance in wet conditions make it the clear choice for North Van properties.

Western Red Cedar costs roughly 30 to 50 percent more than pressure-treated wood upfront. In concrete numbers, a 6-foot cedar privacy fence runs $40 to $80 per linear foot installed in Metro Vancouver, while pressure-treated runs $30 to $65 per linear foot. For a typical 200 linear foot fence, that difference works out to roughly $2,000 to $6,000 more for cedar. However, when you factor in cedar's longer lifespan (20 to 25 years versus 15 to 20 for pressure-treated), lower maintenance burden, and better appearance over time, the cost per year of service often favours cedar.

Why Cedar Performs Better on the North Shore

Cedar contains natural oils called thujaplicins that actively resist fungal decay, rot, and insect damage from within the wood fibre. This is not a surface treatment that can wear off — it is built into the cellular structure of the wood. In North Vancouver's wet, shaded environment where fences may stay damp for weeks at a time during the October to March rainy season, this natural protection is invaluable. Pressure-treated wood relies on chemical infusion to resist rot, which works reasonably well, but the treatment does not prevent surface weathering, cracking, warping, or the unsightly greening and greying that happens rapidly in wet conditions.

Dimensional stability is another critical advantage on the North Shore. Cedar swells and shrinks less than other softwoods as it cycles between wet and dry. This means fewer gaps opening between fence boards during dry summer months and less warping or cupping during the long wet season. Pressure-treated wood, which is typically spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber treated with alkaline copper quaternary, is more prone to twisting, cupping, and splitting as it goes through wet-dry cycles — a particular problem on the North Shore where the moisture swings are dramatic.

Wind resistance matters in North Vancouver. The North Shore experiences strong outflow winds from the mountains during winter storms, sometimes reaching 80 to 100 km/h. Cedar's lighter weight compared to pressure-treated lumber might seem like a disadvantage, but cedar's natural flexibility and resistance to splitting actually make it perform well in wind. The key to wind performance on the North Shore is proper post installation — 6x6 posts rather than 4x4, set a minimum of 2.5 to 3 feet deep in concrete with drainage gravel below, and post spacing of 6 feet rather than the standard 8 feet. A board-on-board (shadowbox) cedar design allows wind to pass through while maintaining visual privacy, and is highly recommended for exposed North Van locations.

Cedar is also locally sourced in British Columbia, which keeps prices more reasonable than in other provinces and means consistent supply. Much of the Western Red Cedar used in Metro Vancouver fencing comes from BC forests, and local sawmills produce fence boards in standard dimensions that fence contractors are set up to work with efficiently.

Making Cedar Last on the North Shore

Even with its natural advantages, cedar fencing in North Vancouver needs some care to reach its full lifespan. Apply a penetrating semi-transparent stain within the first year of installation — this adds UV protection and water repellency on top of cedar's natural oils. Re-apply every two to three years, always during a dry stretch between May and September. Use a penetrating stain rather than a film-forming finish — film finishes will peel and blister in North Vancouver's moisture and require scraping before re-application.

Moss, algae, and mildew growth is common on North Shore fences, particularly north-facing sections and fences under tree canopy. An annual cleaning with a garden hose and diluted oxygen bleach solution (not chlorine bleach, which can damage cedar) keeps this in check. A gentle pressure wash on a low setting also works, but avoid high pressure that can damage the wood grain.

Make sure your installer uses galvanized or stainless steel fasteners throughout — standard steel screws and nails will rust, stain the cedar with dark streaks, and eventually fail in North Vancouver's moisture. Ring-shank nails or structural screws provide superior holding power compared to smooth-shank nails.

Before building, check with the District of North Vancouver or the City of North Vancouver (they have separate bylaws) about fence height limits and any requirements specific to your zone. Standard resid

We just bought a place in North Vancouver — is Western Red Cedar really worth the extra cost for fencing?

Why Cedar Performs Better on the North Shore

Making Cedar Last on the North Shore

Find a Fencing Contractor

Ready to Start Your Fence Building Project?

Why Cedar Performs Better on the North Shore

Making Cedar Last on the North Shore

Find a Fencing Contractor

Ready to Start Your Fence Building Project?

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