Wood Fences: Warm Aesthetics, Lasting Utility

• Natural character: Grain/tone suit classic or modern façades.

• Configurable privacy: From open picket to full privacy; height/spacing by edge.

• Serviceable: Replace individual boards/rails.

• Sustainable options: Responsible species and long-life finishes.

Popular styles

• Picket: Frontages/corners; preserves sightlines.

• Board-on-board (shadowbox): Airflow with angled screening.

• Solid privacy (vertical/horizontal): Patios, side yards, service areas.

• Lattice accents: Lighter top, lower privacy maintained.

• Post-and-rail: Broad, rural borders/gardens.

Species & hardware

• Wood: Cedar/redwood (decay resistant); treated pine (budget/ground contact); hardwoods (impact).

• Fasteners: Exterior screws or ring-shank nails; stainless/coated to avoid stains.

• Posts: Size to height/wind; consider steel sleeves/brackets in wet zones.

Planning essentials

• Verify boundaries, utilities, setbacks, drainage, slope.

• Heights: lower at frontage, taller at sides/rear.

• Gates: count, clear width, swing/slide, self-closing where required.

• Finish: transparent oil, semi-transparent stain, or solid color per maintenance appetite.

Install (at a glance)

1. Layout & mark utilities

2. Set corner/end posts; cure

3. Install rails; verify line/level

4. Attach boards with consistent reveals

5. Hang/align gates; set latch/closer

6. Seal cut ends; punch list (alignment, torque, caps)

Finish & maintenance

• Seal/stain all sides (incl. cut ends/bottoms).

• Rinse seasonally; recoat per product (stains ~2–4 yrs; solids longer).

• Keep vegetation off rails/boards.

• Replace cracked/warped boards; tighten hardware after storms.

Cost & longevity tips

• Compare like-for-like: height, footage, species/grade, post depth, rail count, board thickness, gate sizes, finish, haul-away.

• Add kickboards or gravel stop at grade; cap posts and board tops.

FAQs

• Will wood move/crack? Some checking is natural; sealed ends, proper fasteners, and maintained finish minimize it.

• Add privacy later? Yes—screens, trellis, or retrofit boards (verify rail/wind capacity).

• Horizontal vs. vertical? Horizontal = modern, needs stiffer framing/closer fasteners; vertical = classic, sheds water well.

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