We're looking to put up a 8ft fence with 2ft trellis on top (10 ft height total) for our house in Houston. Given the climate and your past experiences, would you opt for cedar or just stick with pressure treated wood? Also, is there a hybrid approach that works well (i.e. cedar for posts and pressure treated for pickets)?

I'm not a fan of wood posts at all. I'd go with steel posts at 6' centers with PT rails and cedar pickets (not the junk from the big box stores either). After drying out, all of the wood should be sealed/stained.

[This message has been edited by Aggietaco (edited 6/19/2013 4:28p).]

I just built mine. The section seen from the street I used cedar. The backyard I used pressure treated. Metal posts. Cedar looks nicer and much lighter, but twice the price.

The problem with PT pickets & rails today is they are just water & chemically logged pieces of wood that gets nailed up to dry out in the sun!

over 6ft & sticking something that high in the wind needs galvanized post set 24"+ inches in ground.

DO
NOT
USE
PT wood
for pickets or rails
period

fyi if your in the Austin area check out Viking Fence for materials.
8ft Cedar rails 4.76 ea
1x6x6 Cedar pickets 2.69
http://www.vikingfence.com/austin-location/fence-pickets/1x6-fence-pickets
3/4in not 5/8 or a 1/2in like a bigbox store)
Trust me I'm a Fence Doctor.

[This message has been edited by DrSocrates (edited 6/19/2013 5:23p).]

Doc - any recommendations for clear cedar in the area? East side and Donovan mill works were a no go.

Viking can get some Select grade for $5.09 haven't seen it its special order.
http://www.vikingfence.com/western-red-cedar-5/4x6x6-fence-picket-select-grade-0

also American Fence Georgetown sales something called Clear Cedar.

Hey HeightsAg,

Give me a call and I'd love to give you a quote for your fence. Matt at MB Land Design. 281-804-7231 I own the company and we install pools, patios, fences, outdoor kitchens. We can go over the best options.

Thanks, I'll give American Fence a call. Select Knotty is just that, knotty.

6' picketts is all they have in clear. Clear cedar seems to be pretty hard to come by these days.

yes for fence pickets. It's about conservation. Clear cedar is geared toward interior products not to be thrown in the yard to cook in the heat.

Have you check a trim shop for clear cedar? You could just buy the 1x4x8 off the shelf for an arm and & leg! lol

[This message has been edited by DrSocrates (edited 6/21/2013 6:26p).]

Going to check out Vikings material when I get a chance. Found a wholesaler of clear cedar but they wouldn't give me any idea on pricing.