Western Red Cedar is the optimal type of cedar to use for fencing. The wood is light, which means that it is less stressful on the framework of the fence and the posts. Also, Western Red Cedar contains tannin oils that protect it from rotting, weathering, decaying, and being damaged by insects such as termites.
Some fence companies use Chinese cedar, but this wood is actually fir, not cedar. Another wood that’s sometimes used is Japanese cedar, but this wood is less sturdy and thinner than Western Red Cedar. Even worse, it has a tendency to break or split when it’s being installed.