Services
Wood and cedar fences that stand up straight
Privacy screens, modern horizontal slats and classic pickets, set on posts built to deal with the wet ground that topples so many Seattle fences.
Styles
Pick the fence for the job
Start with what the fence has to do: block a view, keep a dog in, mark a line or simply look good from the street. The style follows from that.
Solid privacy
Tight vertical boards with no gaps. Maximum screening for patios and hot tubs, often topped with a cap rail or lattice.
Horizontal slat
Clean modern lines with narrow, even gaps. Pairs well with contemporary homes and composite decks.
Good-neighbor
Boards alternate sides, so both yards see a finished face. A considerate choice along a shared line.
Shadowbox
Overlapping boards on both sides of the rail. Private from straight on, but lets air and light move through.
Picket
Low, open and friendly. Defines a front garden without walling it off from the sidewalk.
Mixed materials
Cedar infill in a steel frame or with wire panels. See our metal fence options.
Below grade
Posts in wet soil
Posts decide how long a fence lasts, and wet clay is where wood posts go to die. Most failed fences we see didn't blow over; they rotted at the ground line first.
- Ground-contact rated posts, set deep enough for the height and wind exposure
- Drainage at the base, with gravel below and concrete shaped to shed water away
- A kickboard along the bottom that takes the splash and can be swapped out later
- Caps on posts so rain doesn't soak into exposed end grain
- Steel posts hidden behind wood where extra strength is needed
Finish & aging
How a cedar fence changes over time
Unfinished cedar goes from warm orange-brown to silver-grey within a season or two, and many people love that look. A penetrating stain slows the change and evens out color between boards. Painted fences, like the classic white picket, need repainting on a schedule but give a crisp look that suits older homes.
Whatever the finish, keep sprinklers and soil off the boards and trim back plants that hold moisture against the fence.
Questions
Wood fence questions
Which way should the finished side face?
Traditionally the finished side faces out, toward the neighbor or street. Good-neighbor and shadowbox styles avoid the question by looking finished from both sides.
Can a new fence match the style of my deck?
Yes, and it's one of the best ways to make a yard feel designed rather than assembled. Horizontal cedar slats, matching post caps or a metal accent can tie the fence and deck together.
Do I need a survey before building on the property line?
If you are unsure where the line is, a survey is the safest way to find out. We build to the line or markers you confirm, and we're happy to talk through the plan with your neighbor.
Is there a height limit for fences?
Usually, and it varies by jurisdiction and by where the fence sits, for example front yard or back. We'll help you check the rules that apply to your property before we build.
Related
Keep exploring
Ready to plan the next level of your yard?
Tell us what you have in mind. The on-site estimate is free and comes with a clear written scope.