What Kind of Wood Planks Do I Need to Build a Privacy Fence?

4-Inch Pickets

• Perhaps the most common size of wood plank for a privacy fence is the 4-inch wide picket, with either a pointed top, which is the cathedral style, or a dog-eared top, which is angled on each side. Four-inch pickets are sold at building supply stores and lumber stores in prefabricated 8-foot long panels, which simplifies their installation. They are 6 feet tall, which is the maximum height allowed for yard fences in most communities. Check your area's building and zoning codes if you want to build a taller fence.

6-Inch Planks

• Another common privacy fence style uses 1-by-6-inch wood planks set vertically in one of two styles. The planks are side by side with their edges together is what is called the "builder's style." The "good-neighbor style" alternates planks on each side of a stretcher board so the fence looks the same on both sides. Variations on these styles include 8-inch wide boards and overlapping the vertical planks to provide the same face on both sides of the fence.

Horizontal Planks

• Some wood privacy fences have horizontal planks that are 6, 8 or 12 inches wide. This style works best on level lots because they are hard to install on slopes. Wide planks offer more privacy than narrow planks. The planks can be set with their edges flush or alternated in the good-neighbor style. Another option is to leave 1- or 2-inch spaces between planks to retain privacy but allow air circulation.

Basketweave Planks

• A basketweave privacy fence often contains 6-inch wood planks. The design alternates the planks on two sides of posts, with one plank on one side of a center post and the next plank on the other side of the post. The planks usually are arranged horizontally, but they can be installed vertically, overlapping a center stretcher.

Other Options

• Some privacy fence planks are really panels. You can use plywood sheets or lattice panels, either solid along the fence or alternated in a pattern with conventional planks. You also may mix planks, alternating 6- and 8-inch widths, for instance, or using 6-inch planks on one side of a good-neighbor fence and 8-inch planks on its other side.