The cedar rail fence is our traditional fence with a number of styles in use. A supply of rails is needed along with the skills to construct it. In parts of the province, rails are still plentiful. Construction can be time consuming but the price is right with personal labour. Some styles sit on top of the ground and work well on shallow soils or stony ground.
Wind can be a problem in open areas.
With heartwood from the cedar tree some rail fences have lasted for generations. In recent years rail fences are often reinforced with a strand of barbed wire or electric wire. An entire fence may fail if the brace assembly is not adequate. Suspension fencing relies totally on the brace system to provide support. This design has adequate strength, is easy to build and is aesthetically pleasing.