LocationKent, WA 98042 Phone(425) 200-4450

Cedar Fence Installation Tips

How Far Apart Should You Set Pickets on a Privacy Fence?

Most home and garden centers will stock the bog-standard fence boards and can work just as well for privacy fences as they do for any other fence, however, the maintenance they need is more than if you had a cedar fence installation done. And, another problem with pre-cut fence boards is they are only available in standard lengths, which can greatly reduce the height of the fence that you want.

Once you have decided to install a new privacy fence, you will then need to decide upon what style best suits your needs and house. In many areas, a 6-foot-tall wood privacy fence comes standard, and one is often required by the local homeowners association. While you are determining how much lumber you will need, you will also have to determine what spacing you want to place between each of the pickets, or fence boards, so you can purchase enough timber to finish the job.

Privacy Fences

There are 2 main styles to choose from with a privacy fence. A solid fence is used for total privacy, while the board-on-board type, which is also referred to as an alternate board or a shadowbox fence, will offer some privacy and air circulation. When building a solid privacy fence, the boards will either be butted tightly together or spaced 3/8 to 1/4 inch from one another, this will allow the wood to expand and contract in the different temperature ranges.

The board-on-board style is frequently used as a “good neighbor” fence, as it is equally attractive on either side. The fence boards will alternate on the sides of the rails and will overlap by at least 1 inch on either side of the boards. Meaning 6-inch fence boards need to be spaced approximately 3 1/2 inches from one another, as the actual width of a 6-inch timber board is 5 1/2 inches.

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss a cedar fence installation project, please contact Highland Fences, LLC at (425) 200-4450 now, if you live in the Kent, WA region.

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