Updated September 2026 | Purple Fencing Company
If you are building a backyard fence in Texas and want a long-term investment rather than the cheapest option, which materials should you choose?
For most Texas homeowners looking for a premium wood privacy fence, Purple Fencing Company recommends a clear combination:
Western Red Cedar pickets with galvanized steel posts.
We pair these materials with quality pressure-treated 2×4 rails, exterior-rated fasteners, and a properly built gate, preferably with a welded metal frame. A quality penetrating stain or sealer adds another layer of protection.
For homeowners who do not need full privacy, ornamental metal can also be an excellent premium option.
When it comes to traditional wood privacy fences, homeowners are most likely to encounter two types of cedar: Western Red Cedar and Japanese Cedar, also called Sugi or import cedar.
They are not the same product. Before comparing fence quotes, make sure you know which one each contractor is offering.
Quick Guide to Premium Fence Materials
| Fence component | Purple’s recommendation | Why |
| Premium wood picket | Western Red Cedar | Offers an attractive appearance, dimensional stability, and long-term value |
| Lower-cost cedar picket | Japanese Cedar or Sugi | Provides real cedar at a lower initial price, but is not our first choice for a premium build |
| Premium fence post | Galvanized steel | Removes ground-contact wood-post rot as a primary structural failure point |
| Standard framing | Pressure-treated 2×4 rails | Provides practical and proven structural support |
| Standard wood post | Pressure-treated 4×4 | Offers a common structural option when steel is not selected |
| Premium gate | Welded metal frame with cedar pickets | Provides better resistance to sagging and movement |
| Fasteners | Quality galvanized or exterior-rated fasteners | Offers better corrosion resistance |
| Wood protection | Quality penetrating stain or sealer | Helps protect cedar from Texas sun and weather |
| Premium open fence | Ornamental metal | Works well when visibility, airflow, and longevity matter more than privacy |
Our preferred premium wood-fence specification is:
Western Red Cedar pickets + galvanized steel posts + quality framing and fasteners + welded metal gate frames + professional stain or sealer
When helping homeowners decide where to invest, we recommend prioritizing the wood and structure first.
What Is the Best Premium Wood for a Texas Backyard Fence?
Purple Fencing Company recommends Western Red Cedar for homeowners who want a premium wood privacy fence.
Western Red Cedar, often shortened to WRC, has a long history as an exterior building material because of its natural resistance to moisture, insects, and decay. It also offers good dimensional stability, which is especially important in Central Texas.
Local fences must handle intense sunlight, prolonged summer heat, drought, heavy rain, and major temperature changes. Wood naturally expands, contracts, dries, and moves under these conditions.
The question is not whether wood will move. It is how well the material will handle that movement after years of exposure.
For homeowners who plan to remain in their homes and want a strong long-term investment, Western Red Cedar is generally our preferred picket material.
Austin-area fencing sources reach a similar conclusion. Local contractors often identify No. 2 Western Red Cedar as their preferred high-quality picket and distinguish it from Japanese or Sugi cedar, which became common as a lower-cost import during periods of Western Red Cedar shortages.
Western Red Cedar vs. Japanese Cedar
Japanese Cedar, also called Sugi or import cedar, can be a good lower-cost alternative to Western Red Cedar. However, homeowners should not treat the two materials as if they are identical.
For a truly premium wood fence, Western Red Cedar remains our first choice. Homeowners who want to reduce the initial cost can still build a quality Sugi fence if they choose the right specifications.
With Sugi, the two factors we prioritize most are picket thickness and stain.
| Feature | Western Red Cedar | Japanese Cedar or Sugi |
| Recommended picket thickness | 5/8 inch | 3/4 inch |
| Initial cost | Higher | Lower |
| Dimensional stability | Better | More susceptible to movement |
| Bowing and warping concern | Lower | Higher, so thicker boards are recommended |
| Stain | Recommended for a premium build | Strongly recommended |
| Natural outdoor performance | Excellent | Good when properly protected |
| Long-term premium value | Our first choice | A cost-conscious cedar alternative |
| Preferred specification | 5/8-inch WRC with steel posts | 3/4-inch Sugi with steel posts and stain |
Choose 3/4-Inch Pickets for a Sugi Fence
Picket thickness is not an area where we recommend cutting corners with Japanese Cedar.
If a homeowner chooses Sugi, Purple Fencing Company recommends 3/4-inch-thick pickets instead of thinner boards.
Sugi is more prone to dimensional movement than Western Red Cedar in Central Texas conditions. A thicker board provides more material and rigidity, helping it resist bowing, twisting, and warping as it dries and faces repeated exposure to Texas heat and weather.
Choosing Sugi does not mean you should automatically choose the cheapest version available. If we are going to build with it, we prefer to use a thicker board and install it properly.
Prioritize Stain With Japanese Cedar
We also place a higher priority on staining Sugi or import cedar.
Texas fences face intense UV exposure, prolonged summer heat, dry periods, and sudden changes in moisture. Because movement and weathering are greater concerns with imported cedar, a quality penetrating stain should be treated as an important part of the fence rather than an optional afterthought.
Our preferred Sugi configuration is:
3/4-inch Japanese Cedar or Sugi pickets + galvanized steel posts + quality framing and fasteners + welded metal gate frame + quality penetrating stain
Does Western Red Cedar Need to Be Stained?
Our standard Western Red Cedar picket is 5/8 inch thick. Its natural properties and dimensional stability allow it to perform well outdoors without relying as heavily on a finish.
A Western Red Cedar fence does not always need to be stained immediately to be a good fence. However, we still recommend staining it.
A quality penetrating stain helps protect the wood from UV exposure and weathering. It also helps preserve cedar’s rich appearance instead of allowing it to weather naturally toward gray.
If we are defining a truly premium fence, stain should be included in the package.
Our preferred Western Red Cedar configuration is:
5/8-inch Western Red Cedar pickets + galvanized steel posts + quality framing and fasteners + welded metal gate frame + quality penetrating stain
Our Verdict on WRC vs. Sugi
For the best long-term investment, choose:
5/8-inch Western Red Cedar + steel posts + stain
To save money without moving all the way to a budget fence, choose:
3/4-inch Japanese Cedar or Sugi + steel posts + stain
If you select Sugi, we recommend spending a little more on thicker pickets and protecting them with stain. This is a better approach than saving upfront with thinner import pickets that are more vulnerable to movement in the Texas climate.
For Western Red Cedar, the standard 5/8-inch picket is already our preferred premium wood product. Stain is less critical to making the material suitable, but we still include it in our ideal premium fence.
What About Pressure-Treated Pine?
Pressure-treated pine still has an important role in Texas fence construction. We simply do not consider pressure-treated pine pickets a premium fencing material.
Purple Fencing Company commonly uses pressure-treated lumber for structural components:
- Pressure-treated 2x4s are often used as fence rails.
- Pressure-treated 4x4s remain a common post option when homeowners do not upgrade to steel.
Using pine for structural components is different from recommending pressure-treated pine pickets.
We rarely recommend or install pine pickets for homeowners looking for a long-term fence. In our experience, Texas heat is especially hard on inexpensive pine pickets. As they dry, they are more likely to twist, warp, shrink, and move.
Current Austin fencing guidance also describes pressure-treated pine as an affordable structural material for posts and framing while noting its tendency to warp, twist, and crack.
Pine pickets may make sense when a homeowner needs the most affordable functional fence possible and long-term performance is not the main priority.
For example, someone preparing to sell a property may want an inexpensive replacement without paying for upgrades they will not personally benefit from over the next decade. That is a reasonable purchasing decision.
It is also very different from saying, “I plan to stay in this home and want to build the best backyard fence I reasonably can.”
For that homeowner, we recommend investing in Western Red Cedar pickets and steel posts.
Are Steel Posts Worth It?
Yes. Galvanized steel posts are one of the upgrades we recommend most strongly for a premium wood privacy fence.
Think of a fence as two connected systems:
- The cedar above ground provides privacy and appearance.
- The posts below and above ground provide structural support.
A beautiful fence is not a strong investment if the structure holding it up fails too soon.
Traditional pressure-treated 4×4 posts are widely used and can provide a functional fence. However, when a homeowner wants a premium fence with long-term value, we prefer galvanized steel posts.
Steel removes ground-contact wood-post rot as one of the fence’s main structural failure points. Other Texas fence contractors also identify galvanized steel posts as one of the most valuable upgrades available for wood fencing.
Our preferred combination is:
Western Red Cedar pickets + galvanized steel posts
If your budget only allows a few upgrades, prioritize structural improvements before decorative details.
Should You Spend More on Cedar or Steel Posts?
Ideally, both. If your budget requires a choice, discuss your goals with your fence contractor.
Consider three possible fences:
- Fence A: Japanese Cedar with pressure-treated wood posts
- Fence B: Western Red Cedar with pressure-treated wood posts
- Fence C: Western Red Cedar with galvanized steel posts
Fence A may make sense if your main goal is reducing the initial cost.
Fence B improves the wood quality and appearance.
For the best overall investment in a premium backyard privacy fence, we would choose Fence C: Western Red Cedar with galvanized steel posts.
This combination improves both major systems at once: the material you see and the structure supporting it.
What Is the Best Fence for Maximum Backyard Privacy?
For maximum wood privacy, consider a board-on-board Western Red Cedar fence with galvanized steel posts.
Board-on-board construction overlaps the pickets instead of placing each board edge to edge. This matters because all natural wood moves as it dries.
A standard side-by-side privacy fence may develop small gaps between the pickets over time. A board-on-board design maintains greater visual coverage because the boards overlap.
If you do not need the additional coverage, a traditional vertical Western Red Cedar fence with steel posts remains an excellent premium option.
| Homeowner priority | Recommended configuration |
| Best overall investment | Western Red Cedar with steel posts |
| Maximum privacy | Board-on-board Western Red Cedar with steel posts |
| Traditional appearance | Vertical Western Red Cedar with steel posts |
| Modern appearance | Horizontal Western Red Cedar with a properly engineered, steel-supported structure |
| Lower initial cedar cost | Japanese Cedar or Sugi |
What Is the Best Premium Gate?
Purple Fencing Company recommends a welded metal gate frame for a premium wood fence.
Gates experience forces that do not affect the rest of the fence in the same way. They are opened and closed repeatedly, their full weight hangs from hinges, people push and pull them, and wind places pressure on them. The wood also moves over time.
That is why gates are often among the first areas where homeowners notice sagging, dragging, or misalignment.
A welded metal frame creates a rigid structural foundation while allowing us to install matching Western Red Cedar pickets over it. You still see a beautiful cedar gate, but the supporting structure is metal.
For a premium fence, this is the kind of upgrade we value. It addresses a genuine failure point instead of simply adding decoration.
Should a Premium Cedar Fence Be Stained?
Yes. Purple Fencing Company generally recommends staining a premium cedar fence.
Western Red Cedar naturally performs well outdoors, but Texas weather is still demanding. Exterior wood must withstand intense UV exposure, extreme summer temperatures, drought, rain, humidity, and repeated wet and dry cycles.
A quality penetrating stain helps protect the wood and preserve the appearance you are paying extra to receive.
Staining becomes even more important with Japanese or Sugi cedar because movement and weather exposure are greater concerns. Austin-area contractors also recommend stain or sealer as part of maintaining Japanese Cedar under local conditions.
Is Ornamental Metal Better Than Cedar?
It can be when privacy is not the goal.
A premium material is not automatically the right material for every property.
If your backyard overlooks a greenbelt, Hill Country scenery, acreage, water, or another view you want to enjoy, installing a 6-foot solid cedar fence may solve a problem you do not have while creating a new one.
In these settings, ornamental metal fencing can be an excellent premium solution.
| Homeowner priority | Recommended material |
| Maximum privacy | Western Red Cedar |
| Preserve a view | Ornamental metal |
| Natural appearance | Western Red Cedar |
| Open sight lines | Ornamental metal |
| Maximum airflow | Ornamental metal |
| Traditional premium privacy | Western Red Cedar with steel posts |
| Modern privacy design | Horizontal Western Red Cedar |
| Wind permeability | Open ornamental metal |
What Premium Fence Performs Best in High Winds?
If wind resistance is the main concern, open ornamental metal has a natural advantage over a solid privacy fence because wind can pass through it.
A 6-foot privacy fence behaves more like a sail.
That does not mean wood privacy fencing should never be used in exposed areas. It means the structural design becomes even more important.
For a solid privacy fence in a wind-exposed location, we pay close attention to:
- Steel posts
- Post depth
- Concrete footings
- Post spacing
- Overall fence design
If full privacy is not necessary, ornamental metal allows much more airflow and significantly reduces the solid surface exposed to the wind.
What Is the Best Premium Backyard Fence for a Texas Home?
For homeowners who want privacy, appearance, durability, and long-term value, our preferred starting specification is:
Western Red Cedar pickets + galvanized steel posts + quality pressure-treated 2×4 framing + exterior-rated fasteners + welded metal gate frames + quality penetrating stain
Not every component needs to be made from an expensive or exotic material.
A premium fence uses the right material for each part of the job. Pressure-treated pine works well as a structural 2×4 rail, but we would not recommend pine as the visible picket material for a homeowner requesting a premium fence.
Premium Does Not Mean Adding Every Upgrade
It is easy to overspend when you confuse “expensive” with “premium.” We do not consider them the same thing.
A premium fence should prioritize the components that have the greatest effect on its long-term performance.
Our Recommended Upgrade Order
- Posts: Galvanized steel
Begin with the fence’s structural backbone. - Pickets: Western Red Cedar
Use better wood where appearance, weather exposure, and dimensional stability matter most. - Framing: Quality 2×4 rails
Pressure-treated 2x4s are completely appropriate for this purpose. - Gate: Welded metal frame
Strengthen one of the fence’s most failure-prone moving parts. - Stain: Quality penetrating finish
Protect your investment in the wood. - Architectural details
Consider board-on-board construction, cap and trim, horizontal layouts, and other custom features after making the important structural decisions.
We would rather see a homeowner invest in Western Red Cedar and steel posts than use lower-quality structural materials and spend the savings on decorative upgrades.
Premium Fence Materials: Quick Answers
| Question | Purple Fencing Company’s recommendation |
| What is the best premium wood picket? | 5/8-inch Western Red Cedar |
| Is Western Red Cedar or Japanese Cedar better? | Western Red Cedar for a premium long-term investment |
| What is the best lower-cost cedar option? | 3/4-inch Japanese Cedar or Sugi |
| What thickness should Sugi pickets be? | 3/4 inch |
| Should Sugi be stained? | Yes. We strongly recommend prioritizing stain. |
| Should Western Red Cedar be stained? | Yes, especially for a truly premium fence, although it is less critical than with Sugi. |
| What is the best premium fence post? | Galvanized steel |
| What is the best overall premium wood fence? | 5/8-inch Western Red Cedar with galvanized steel posts, a welded metal gate frame, and stain |
| What is the best value alternative? | 3/4-inch Sugi with galvanized steel posts and stain |
Which Premium Backyard Fence Should You Choose?
If you plan to stay in your home and want the best long-term investment in a traditional backyard privacy fence, our recommendation is simple:
Western Red Cedar pickets with galvanized steel posts
Japanese Cedar or Sugi can be a practical alternative when reducing the initial cost is more important. It is a legitimate cedar fencing product, and not every homeowner needs the most expensive option.
Pressure-treated pine also has an important structural role. We regularly use pressure-treated 2×4 rails, and pressure-treated 4×4 posts remain a standard option.
However, we do not consider pressure-treated pine pickets a premium material. Their tendency to twist, warp, and move in Texas heat makes them difficult to recommend as a long-term investment. We generally reserve them for projects where achieving the lowest possible initial price is the main priority.
Instead of asking, “What is the best fence material?” ask a more useful question:
Where should I spend my money if I want a fence that is worth the investment?
For most Texas privacy fence projects, invest first in Western Red Cedar and galvanized steel posts. Next, consider the gate, hardware, stain, and architectural upgrades.
Build the structure to last first. Add the finishing details second.
Get a Premium Fence Estimate
Purple Fencing Company installs residential, commercial, and government fencing throughout Austin and Central Texas.
If you are comparing Western Red Cedar, Japanese or Sugi cedar, steel posts, board-on-board privacy fencing, horizontal cedar, or ornamental metal, we can help you understand where upgrading adds real value and where spending more may not be necessary.
Contact Purple Fencing Company at (512) 955-5360 to schedule an estimate.
