Had to pick between cedar and composite for a big job in Springfield

Honestly, the client wanted a 200-foot privacy fence and was stuck between cedar and a certain brand of composite. I pushed for the cedar because the ground there gets really wet in spring, and I've seen composite boards warp if the drainage isn't perfect. It added about 2 days to the job for extra sealing, but it looks solid. Anyone have a go-to sealer for cedar in damp areas like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

lisa_murray2mo ago

Good call pushing for cedar in a wet spot, that's the kind of thing that saves a massive headache later. Dealing with warped composite after the fact is a nightmare. For a sealer on a big damp job like that, I've had solid luck with the Ready Seal stuff. It's oil based, soaks in deep, and you don't have to worry about lap marks if you're spraying it on.

alexlewis2mo ago

Ready Seal on a damp cedar deck? That stuff needs a bone dry surface to work right, otherwise it just sits on top. I've seen it peel off in sheets after a wet application, which is a real shame.

hugo_ellis1mo ago

Absolutely right about cedar in damp spots. Watched a neighbor's composite deck buckle after just one wet season near their downspout. The cedar replacement they put in still looks straight as an arrow years later. That Ready Seal tip is solid too, used it on a shady side deck that never fully dries. It soaked right in and held up way better than the water based stuff I tried first.