Even though pine is the cheapest option on the market, it is susceptible to warping and buckling if left without proper maintenance. Often compared to pine fencing , cedar wood has a more natural reddish appearance and is eco-friendly with less maintenance.
This lightweight fencing has a pleasant smell and is ideal for dry climates. Naturally, insect-repellant cedar is typically used for decking and siding with moderate pricing and impressive weather resistance.
Cedar fence prices are higher than pine due to less availability of this wood. Besides the extra expense, cedar fencing may be weaker in humid areas and less resistant to damage from the surrounding soil. With a warm, rich fall color, western red cedar is a common choice for homeowners interested in the aesthetic appeal.
Many believe it has better resistance than pine, with red cedar standing up to insects, moisture, and rot. The better you maintain western red cedar, the stronger the lovely red color will be. Ipe is the most common tropical hardwood with tight grains and a high density for a dynamic, durable fencing solution. You can always restore its renowned color with an oil and stain routine or just enjoy the low maintenance and let nature take its course. Bamboo is another environmentally friendly option becoming more popular in residential fencing.
The bamboo sticks are typically placed close together for a tight, private fencing solution. Bamboo works well in tropical areas and can be used with other fencing materials or features to complete the look. Some homeowners opt for live bamboo fences that continue to grow, requiring more maintenance, such as regular pruning. Cypress is a pricey, durable, and dense wood similar to pine and produces a lovely natural look with many hidden benefits.
Besides the nice wood appearance for neighborhoods and rural properties, cypress fencing contains cypretine, a natural chemical that deters insects and other pests. Douglas fir fencing is one of the strongest softwood options and is often preferred over pine for that reason. This wood can be left with its natural yellow look before eventually taking on a gray hue. Treating is not required, but sealing helps to prolong the natural color and maintain the lovely aesthetic.
Douglas fir does not warp or bend much either. Redwood fencing boasts a deep, rich red color for a beautiful appearance. Redwood resists rotting, insects, and UV rays for excellent protection against pests and natural elements.
Plus, redwood fencing can survive in humid environments with durable composition and inherent resistance to decay. Redwood fencing must be treated to last and keep up a nice color with a wood stain. This treatment prevents it from turning gray over time and taking on a dry, damaged look.
Redwood lumber fence prices are slightly higher than other varieties due to the demand for this gorgeous color. Composite wood fencing is a relatively new alternative to traditional wood fencing.
This combination of natural wood and plastic allows for a cost-effective and eco-friendly fence that mimics the appearance of a wood fence. Composite fencing can withstand environmental factors like rain, wind, UV rays, pests , and mold better than other types of wood fencing. The maintenance is different. Composite fencing usually requires minimal repainting and repairs.
Instead, composite fencing needs to be washed down with water every once in a while. A white oak fence can last for a long time, especially if you use treated wood. With a beautiful light finish, this is a popular choice for fencing widely available from fencing suppliers. White oak is typically hardy even in harsh weather conditions, although it can warp and bow in extremely damp or humid environments.
It's commonly used on farms where horses like to chew on pine. For a more exotic appearance, homeowners turn to tropical hardwood like Batu and Cumaru. These woods naturally last for a long time in hot, humid climates and boast rich red colors that enhance curb appeal and add a level of luxury to many backyards.
Tigerwood is another option that lasts upwards of 25 years. Tropical hardwoods can be a bit of a splurge as some flooring supply companies only offer pricing upon request.
Special drilling tools are required for installation. The minimal maintenance required for tropical hardwoods raises the price tag. Another alternative for wood fencing is black locust , which is very durable and requires little maintenance, making it ideal for agricultural settings where it may not be attended to all the time.
As one of the most structurally sound wood types available, black locust fence posts can last for up to 80 years in some cases when maintained properly. Get free estimates from trusted wood fence installation companies near me Get Free Estimates. Posts are typically made from wood, concrete, or metal, grounded in cement, gravel, or simply soil, depending on your distinct fence. One way to prolong the lifespan of a fence is to just replace the posts when required instead of taking out the entire fence and installing a new one.
The price of fence posts depends largely on the materials. Many homeowners choose wood posts for their wood fence to complete the look, but you can also have a wood fence with metal posts or concrete wooden fence posts. To support the fence and maintain proper privacy, you need sturdy fence posts. Many homeowners opt for a cohesive look with wooden posts. These come in a wide range of materials, just like wood fencing itself. Deciding between cedar, pine, spruce, or other wood varieties often comes down to price and aesthetic appeal.
Metal posts can be more durable and offer greater support for a wooden fence, making the posts slightly more expensive. These posts are unlikely to rot and can withstand strong winds and protect the fence from damage even in heavy storms.
Termites are also no match for metal fence posts. Plus, metal posts last for a long time, especially when made from galvanized steel 3 and concealed with timber coverings for an attractive facade. Wood fence on concrete posts is another idea some homeowners opt for depending on where they live and the elements to which their fencing is exposed.
Not only can fence posts be made out of solid concrete and attached to a wood fence, but they are also often secured in concrete for greater strength and protection. Setting your fence posts in concrete instead of just earth and gravel costs more, but a wood fence in concrete provides much more stability in all kinds of weather. Brick or stone posts for a wood fence are another option. These fence posts made from a column of bricks or natural stone come in various colors and offer substantial sturdiness and protection for home fencing.
Many people enjoy the contrast of the brick or stone with the natural wood. Plus, the density of brick and stone blocks out noise from neighbors and busy roads nearby. Several post shapes are available to choose from, such as square, pointed, or round wood fence posts.
Here are some of the most common costs to keep in mind based on which type of fence post you choose. They are relatively easy to install and maintain and have been very popular in the fencing industry for decades.
Fencing companies recommend round posts for a neat, classic look that stands strong against wild animals. Squirrels , rabbits, deer, and other creatures are less likely to disturb round wood fence posts, which is another reason why many opt to install these posts.
They may not have the same polished appearance as square posts but can be easily touched up to match the wood fencing and serve as a budget-friendly fencing solution. The square wood fence posts are another particularly popular option because of their supreme stability at the base. The square shape offers a sophisticated, polished look for residential fencing and is easy to measure and cut.
These are slightly more exposed to the elements and potential pests than round posts. But, they are still a worthwhile option for homeowners looking to add a nice touch to their fencing project with adequate support. The professional starts by setting up the corner posts of the fence and connecting them with a string line to ensure that the fence will be installed in a straight line.
Once they do this, they will measure, mark, and dig holes for the post locations installed using a concrete mixture. Based on your preferences, the material, and the climate where you live, the professional will seal, stain, or paint the fence. Many fencing contractors offer flat rate quotes that include labor and materials—everything to see the job to fruition. This complete package makes it far easier for homeowners to budget and plan for their fence construction projects.
Professionals suggest that a well-built wooden fence from quality materials will last for about 20 years with routine maintenance. A less-expensive pressure-treated pine fence will last between years, on average, before needing to be replaced.
Keeping a fence clean by pressure washing and making sure any minor repairs are completed sooner rather than later protects the fencing for longer. Those who live in areas prone to extreme weather conditions such as high winds and heavy rains may need to replace their fencing sooner than others. Talk to local pros to get quotes for your wood fence installation Get Estimates. The cost to install a gate on your wood fence depends mostly on its size.
Post caps 5 top each of your fence posts and are quite often ornamental, creating a finial 6 accent to an otherwise ordinary wood fence. These are found in vinyl, wood, metal, and resin varieties. The post cap material affects the overall price of your fence.
Vinyl can be priced a little bit more than metal or wood depending on the supplier. Talk to your contractor about upgrading your post caps with lighting features; prices will vary. The correct measurement for your fencing project depends on the size of your post caps. The process of installing a wood fence requires estimates, obtaining permits, planning, preparing, post-setting, and installation of the railings and boards. Many things can occur during these steps that influence and impact the cost.
One of the modifications you might need to do to your terrain includes grading. Also, if the site of your fence has tree growth that needs to be removed, you will need to figure in the costs of tree removal services. The type of fence that you choose also influences the cost of the project.
The type of wood that you choose also impacts what you will pay to install a fence. Some of your choices include pressure-treated pine, spruce, white oak 8 , western red cedar, tropical hardwoods, and other varieties, depending on accessibility where you live.
Many reasons may be noted for installing a wooden fence on your property. For one, it provides privacy from the prying eyes of passersby and nosy neighbors and reduces the noise. A fence adds to the sense of safety and security everyone needs. Finally, no one can deny that a decorative wood fence improves the curb appeal of a home, increasing its overall market value. While wood fences are a great addition to a home, they come with their fair share of disadvantages you need to keep in mind. The typical lifespan is 8 to 20 years at most, compared to other fencing types that last 40 to 50 years.
Wood is also an unpredictable material, so it can split, crack, and change color under the influence of various weather conditions. The shrinkage leaves minor gaps in the fence. On the other hand, during rainy and snowy months, the wood expands due to wet conditions, making the gates and doors difficult to open. Find the best wood fence installers in your neighborhood Find Pros. It is likely that you will need a current land survey , which also helps to establish property lines when using the fence as a border between neighbors.
Additionally, you may need to have the property graded, filled, re-sloped, or otherwise excavated to create a smooth, level foundation for your fence. Is your site overgrown with brush or foliage?
Wood fencing requires regular maintenance. Otherwise, the condition will deteriorate rapidly. Staining, painting, and sealing are all parts of routine tasks that preserve your wood fence. Protecting the wood with a petroleum-based stain also curbs termite activity, reduces the risk of mold or fungus, and lengthens the life of your fence. Treating the wood helps prevent warping during temperature fluctuations.
Fence replacements are fairly straightforward. Note that if previously installed fences are made from treated wood, there may be extra steps and costs associated with disposing of this material in some states. Privacy fence installation can be a straightforward project best done by a professional contractor. Take accurate measurements when determining the total linear feet of a perimeter a land surveyor can help.
Try not to drive costs up with fancy fencing materials. Get estimates from multiple contractors to compare and contrast pricing. The cheapest option is not always the best option. Wood privacy fences are lower cost than vinyl or aluminum, but this may depend on the wood type. Pine is the cheapest, hardwoods can be quite a bit more costly. Eco-friendly options like cementing glass bottles in rows or using reclaimed wood may also save costs or have other benefits.
The total linear feet will help to estimate not only the price per linear foot, but also the amount of materials needed to install the fence. Homeowners should know exactly how many corner posts the fence will need and how wide the gate should be.
A professional land surveyor can help with this process. Installing a new fence can be expensive depending on the materials used and the cost of labor. Research all the options before making a final material decision.
Most of the time, the most expensive option is not necessary. Matching a fence to a home is key in obtaining a polished look to a property. Improper measurements could lead to major problems down the road, like legal complications with property lines and zoning laws. Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates.
He remains most at home on a tractor, but has learned that opportunity is where he finds it and discomfort is more interesting than complacency. Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor.
She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros. Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. Chauncey Crail, Samantha Allen. Contributor, Editor. Editorial Note: Forbes Advisor may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Find a Fence Contractor.
Was this article helpful? Share your feedback. Send feedback to the editorial team. Rate this Article. Bottom line: Rail fencing is typically the cheapest option, while a solid privacy fence is typically the most expensive. The prices in this guide refer to the cost of a standard 6-foot fence. Other common heights are 8 feet and 4 feet.
How much money a gate will add to your overall expense depends on its size, complexity, and material. If the land where you want to build your fence has an incline, your contractor may have to grade the land before he or she starts building. Your city, county, state, or homeowners association may require a building permit for putting up a fence. Sometimes, a fence installation is more than just a fence installation.
Your fence project may require additional services, and those services will increase your overall price. Consider whether or not you will need these extra services and how much each one could potentially add to your budget for your wood fence project.
For a small bush or tree, you may be able to do the job yourself. Your fence contractor may be able to remove the plant for you, or you may have to find a separate tree service. The cost of tree and bush removal varies depending on the size and location of the plant, along with other factors. You might have an existing fence blocking the path of your new fence.
Most installers will remove and haul away the old fence for an additional fee. The overall cost of fence removal depends on how much fence the contractor has to tear down. For a wood fence, painting or staining is an important part of the process, since the coating protects the wood from rot, pests, and water damage. If you want your contractor to paint your wood fence for you, you will have to pay extra for the paint or stain itself and the additional hours of labor.
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