What Goes Into Wood and Cedar Privacy Fences?
Are you thinking about installing a new barrier for your home or business? Wood and cedar privacy fences might look simple on paper, with just posts, rails, and pickets.
The real secret to a fence that lasts is how you choose and assemble those specific parts.
We approach every single project with a focus on long-term durability in our tough local climate.
You deserve to know exactly how the building process works. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s go through it together.
Setting the Posts
Every post requires a solid foundation set in concrete. In Boerne’s stony ground, that often means drilling straight into limestone to get the depth a 6 ft or 8 ft fence requires.
We always aim to bury at least one-third of the post underground for maximum stability. Gate posts go even deeper and use heavier wood because they carry the most load over time.
Our crews typically use high-strength 4000 PSI concrete to ensure everything stays perfectly plumb. A solid foundation prevents those annoying leaning fences you see after heavy winds.
Installing the Rails
You need strong horizontal support to keep everything perfectly aligned. Thick, quality wood prevents bowing under the hot Texas sun.
We run 2x4 rails between the posts, using three rails on most 6 ft fences so the pickets stay flat. Rails are usually where a cheap fence starts to sag over the years.
Our team refuses to skimp on these vital structural pieces.
Choosing the Pickets
You can pick classic cedar pickets or opt for treated pine. Dog-ear pickets are the most popular look for a traditional backyard style.
We fasten everything using hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners. Standard nails react with the natural acids in cedar and create ugly black rust streaks down the boards within a year.
Our choice of premium fasteners keeps your new barrier looking pristine. You get a beautiful result that lasts for years.
Adding a Kickboard
A kickboard, also called a rot board, runs along the very bottom of the structure. This piece keeps your vertical pickets off the wet dirt and grass.
We highly recommend this simple addition for every new installation. Moisture from the ground is the number one cause of early wood decay.
Our clients find this protective board is the cheapest insurance you can put on a wood fence. The barrier blocks weed whackers from damaging the pickets, too.
Cedar or Pine?
Both materials work beautifully, and both fall in the same $25 to $45 per foot range for a 6 ft privacy fence. Cedar handles the Texas sun and moisture significantly better and naturally resists warping. We often see Western Red Cedar fences easily outlast cheaper alternatives by five to ten years.
The natural tannins in the wood also help repel wood-boring insects. Our preferred treated pine costs less up front and takes stain exceptionally well once the wood fully dries out. This budget-friendly wood is treated with copper azole to protect against decay and termites.
Here is a quick look at how the two woods compare for your yard:
| Feature | Western Red Cedar | Treated Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost (6ft) | $25 to $45 per ft | $25 to $45 per ft (Slightly less upfront) |
| Insect Resistance | Natural tannins repel bugs | Chemical treatment (Copper Azole) prevents pests |
| Sun & Moisture | Highly resistant to warping | Prone to warping if not properly stained |
Many owners choose to split the difference for their property. You might use cedar pickets on the side you look at most, with sturdy treated pine posts and rails holding it all up.
We have a detailed resource that breaks down these choices even further. A little research helps you make the absolute best investment for your yard. Our guide to cedar vs pine for a Texas fence goes through the trade-offs part by part.
Which Style Fits Your Yard?
Finding the right visual design depends on your specific privacy needs and budget. We build several distinct styles to perfectly match your home architecture.
Here is a breakdown of the most popular configurations for local yards:
- Standard privacy. Pickets sit side by side on one face of the rails. This creates the most common and most affordable build, though slight gaps may appear as the wood dries.
- Board-on-board. Pickets overlap by about an inch on both sides of the rails, so there are no gaps even after the wood shrinks. This design looks completely finished from both yards and runs $35 to $60 per foot.
- Horizontal slat. Boards run sideways with tight, even gaps of a quarter to a half-inch. You get a cleaner, modern look that works incredibly well around contemporary patios and pools.
- Cap and trim. A top cap and horizontal trim board frame the top of the fence. This smart design sheds rainwater off the vulnerable picket ends and gives the fence a built, furniture-like finish.
Any of these designs can be extended to 8 ft where you need maximum screening. A taller barrier works perfectly along a busy road or to block the view of a two-story neighbor.
We always check local municipal codes to ensure your preferred height is legally permitted. Following the rules up front saves you from costly fines down the road.
Replacing an Old Wood Fence
If your old barrier is past saving, our crew handles the entire replacement job from start to finish. We manage the full tear-out and haul-off of the old materials, which typically costs $3 to $6 per foot.
Look for these common signs that your fence needs total replacement:
- Multiple rotted posts at the ground level.
- Pickets that easily break or crumble in your hand.
- A severe lean that cannot be corrected with a single brace.
Your new project will include fresh posts, strong rails, premium pickets, and custom gates to match. Are you unsure if your current setup is actually beyond repair?
Our fence repair crew will tell you honestly whether replacing a few posts will buy you a few more years. Planning your budget is a crucial step for any homeowner or business owner.
For a sense of scale, 150 ft of new 6 ft privacy fence runs $3,750 to $6,750. A larger property needing 200 ft runs between $5,000 and $9,000, before factoring in the tear-out costs.
We created a helpful breakdown to make your financial decision easier. The fence cost per foot guide compares wood with every other fence type we build.
Gates and Finish
Every secure yard needs a reliable entry point that looks great and functions perfectly. We build walk gates and drive gates to perfectly match your new fence design.
Hardware weight ratings matter, so these gates are mounted on heavy-duty hinge posts rated for over 100 pounds. Our installation method ensures the heavy wood will not sag over time.
Sagging gates are the number one complaint property owners have with cheap installations. If you want a motorized drive gate built directly into a wood fence line, see our driveway and automatic gates page.
Pro Tip: Never stain a brand-new treated pine fence immediately. The wood needs time to dry out completely, or the oil will fail to penetrate the surface.
Bare wood grays extremely fast in the intense Hill Country sun. Unprotected cedar can start to lose its rich color in just a few short months.
We highly recommend applying a high-quality penetrating oil stain once a new fence is completely dry. Professional products protect the grain from harsh UV rays without peeling.
Our professional staining and sealing application keeps the vibrant color and slows down natural cracking. Routine maintenance will easily add years to the life of your wood and cedar privacy fences.
Reach out to our friendly staff today to schedule your consultation and get your project started!