Solid privacy
Tight vertical boards that block sightlines from the street or the neighbors' deck. Often finished with a top cap.
Wood & cedar fences
Wood and cedar fences for privacy, pets and curb appeal
From a tall privacy screen to a low picket along the sidewalk, a wood fence is only as good as its posts. Here are the styles we build and how we set them up for wet Seattle soil.
Fence styles
Five styles and what each one is good at
Horizontal slat
Boards run sideways with small, even gaps. A clean, modern look that pairs well with newer homes.
Good-neighbor
Boards alternate sides of the rails, so both yards see a finished face. A fair choice on a shared line.
Shadowbox
Overlapping boards on both sides let air pass through while still blocking a direct view. Handy in windy spots.
Picket
Low and friendly, spaced pickets define a front yard or garden without closing it off from the street.
Posts in wet soil
Why fences here fail at the bottom first
Our winters keep soil damp for months, and that's hardest on the few inches where a post meets the ground. Most leaning or rotted fences start right there.
- Posts set deep enough for the fence height and soil we find on site
- Gravel at the base of each hole so water drains away from the wood
- Concrete shaped to shed water rather than hold it against the post
- Boards kept slightly above soil and mulch so they can dry
Materials & finish
Choosing lumber and a finish
Cedar is the familiar choice for fence boards thanks to its natural decay resistance and warm color. Pressure-treated lumber is common for posts and rails, where strength and ground contact matter most.
A fence can be left to weather, stained, or painted like the slatted example here. Stain soaks in and is easier to refresh; paint gives a crisp color but needs more prep when it's time to redo it.
Gates in a wood fence
A wood gate is heavier than it looks once it's wet. We frame gates with a diagonal brace running up from the bottom hinge corner, hang them from sturdier posts, and choose hinges and latches sized for the width. See metal fences and gates for steel-framed options that resist sagging even further.
FAQ
Wood fence questions
Is cedar still a good choice for a fence here?
Yes. Cedar is a long-time Northwest favorite for fences because of its natural resistance to decay and its warm color. Post setting and drainage at the base matter as much as the boards.
Which side of the fence faces the neighbors?
Many homeowners put the finished side outward, and some local rules or HOAs expect it. A good-neighbor or shadowbox style looks finished from both sides, which avoids the question.
How do you handle a sloped yard?
We either step the panels down the hill in level sections or rack them to follow the slope. The right choice depends on the grade and the style you've picked.
Do I need to stain a new cedar fence?
It's optional. Unfinished cedar turns silver-grey; a penetrating stain keeps more of its color and slows weathering.
Keep reading
Planning a new fence?
We'll walk the line with you and put the estimate in writing.