How Long Does a Cedar Fence Last? (And How to Make It Last Longer)

Cedar’s reputation is deserved: natural oils resist rot and insects without any chemical treatment, which is why it’s the premium pick for wood fencing. In Indiana, a properly built cedar fence lasts 15–20 years untreated, and 25+ with basic care. The spread between those numbers is mostly about five things.

1. The posts decide everything

Cedar pickets almost never kill a fence — posts do. Posts must be set in concrete below the frost line (36″ around here) with the concrete crowned to shed water. We also frequently pair cedar boards with treated-pine or steel posts: you keep the cedar look where you see it and put the rot-resistance where the fence lives or dies.

2. Keep the boards off the ground

Ground contact is how “rot-resistant” cedar rots anyway — it wicks moisture endlessly from soil and mulch. We build with a 1–2″ gap; keep your mulch and soil from creeping up over the years.

3. Stain or seal every 2–3 years

Untreated cedar weathers to silver-gray — structurally fine, and some people love the look. But a penetrating semi-transparent stain blocks UV (which breaks down surface fibers) and sheds water. This one habit is worth roughly a decade of extra life.

4. Wash it occasionally

A gentle wash every year or two stops mildew and algae on shaded runs from holding moisture against the wood. Low pressure — aggressive power-washing tears up soft cedar fibers.

5. Fix small problems small

One loose board is a ten-minute fix; a leaning post ignored for two winters takes the whole section with it. Walk your line each spring, and if something’s beyond DIY we handle repairs across Central Indiana.

Cedar vs. the alternatives, lifespan edition

Thinking cedar? Get a free estimate — we’ll spec posts and footings that give the boards their best shot at 25.