Written by Tim Gaughan, Urban Edge. Published May 21, 2026.
Our cedar fences come standard with 5/8-inch cedar boards, the same thickness most fences use. You can upgrade to 3/4-inch boards from a local mill in Portland. The thicker board is 20 percent more wood, so it stays flatter, holds its fasteners better and stands up longer to Portland's wet winters and dry summers.
The standard board
The cedar fence boards stacked at most stores are about 5/8 inch thick. They're sold as "1x6" pickets, but "1x" is a name, not a measurement. They are light, lower cost and make a good fence. That is our standard board. The thicker board is for people who want the fence to stay flat and tight for longer.
What the extra 1/8 inch does
| 5/8-inch board | 3/4-inch board |
|---|
| Wood in each board | Baseline | 20% more |
|---|
| Cupping and twisting | More likely as it dries out in summer | Stays flatter |
|---|
| Holding nails and screws | Fasteners can pull through or split thin boards | More wood for the fastener to grab |
|---|
| Wind and knocks | Flexes and cracks more easily | Stiffer, takes a hit better |
|---|
| Looks after a few years | Gaps open as boards shrink and curl | Gaps stay tighter |
|---|
Portland is hard on thin wood. Boards soak up water from October to May, then dry fast in July and August. Each swing pulls a thin board out of shape a little more. A thicker board has more wood to resist that movement.
Why a local mill
When you choose the upgrade, we get the 3/4-inch boards from a local mill in Portland. Buying from a mill lets us get a thickness that big stores don't stock, and lets us see the boards before they go on your fence.
Does it cost more?
Yes, thicker boards cost more than store pickets. On a whole fence, the boards are only part of the price; posts, labor, gates and hardware are the rest. If you plan to stay in the house a long time, the thicker board is worth a look, because replacing a warped fence early costs far more.
Boards are half of it
A fence lasts only as long as its posts. Read how long a cedar fence lasts, and our guide to steel vs pressure-treated fence posts. A stain keeps the color and slows drying; our Painting site covers fence staining.
Our work is covered by a 2-year workmanship warranty, in writing.
Get a free estimate or call Tim, (503) 597-8520.