When it comes to cedar fences, your best option is to hire a knowledgeable fence contractor that knows what they are doing and will not skip any steps. With this one step alone, you could extend the longevity of your fence for many years. Appearance - fence pickets are attractively colored light-brown, which gives your home a much more natural appearance. A semi-transparent oil based stain is recommended for UV reflectivity, and, depending on humidity, will last 15-20 years on cedar fences. By shielding the ends of the fence boards with fence caps, you can improve the stability of your fence as well. With fence caps, the natural beauty of the board ends is enhanced. The only drawback of not using stain is that the wood will degrade due to direct sunlight and UV-rays and the natural colors will become gray over time. You can also benefit from more protection and a perfect fence by using a second layer of boards. Repairs - having your fence repaired can be an unwanted expense, however one that may become unavoidable. Getting a skilled fence builder with proven methods is the smartest way to proceed. To get a quote, contact us at: R & G Almanza Landscape Inc ​7322 North Kedzie Avenue Skokie, IL 60076 (847) 869-8584 rauljr@rgalmanza.com https://rgalmanza.com See our other services: https://local.google.com/place?id=7989897191477255735&use=posts&lpsid=6959781493993904646