Examples of Wooden Privacy Fences

Type of Wood

• The wood you choose for your privacy fence is up to your personal taste and budget. Pine, spruce and cypress woods are often used in wood fences. More common choices include redwood and cedar. Redwood has a natural red color that will turn gray over time. The wood is naturally resistant to insects and moisture. It does not need staining, but a coat of shellac or oil will extend the life of the fence. Cedar also offers good weather and insect resistance. Red cedar has a natural reddish color, while white cedar is yellowish in color. A cedar fences does not require much care, but adding oils or sealers will provide more moisture resistance. Adding stain to a cedar fence provides extra UV protection. Pressure-treated lumber has chemicals added to make it resistant to moisture. The wood has a greenish color that will turn gray over time if not sealed.

Stockade

• A stockade fence is a board fence that provides a solid visual barrier for good privacy. The boards are fitted tightly together on rails. The boards may be flat on the top or shaped into pointed, rounded or arched shapes. Over time, the boards may warp from weathering, creating slight gaps. Adding a lattice section to the top of the fence is an option that creates a decorative and airy appearance. A stockade fence is a simple and economical choice for a privacy fence.

Board on Board

• A board-on-board fence provides complete privacy with no gapping. The fence is built with two boards nailed close together and a third board nailed over them. This style of fence gives extra strength, as well as added privacy and security. Decorative lattice work can also be added to these fences. A board-on-board fence is more expensive to build than a stockade fence due to the extra wood needed.

Shadowbox

• A shadowbox-style fence is created by placing the boards behind and in front of each other. This type of fence has small gaps between the front and back boards, making it a bit less private than other kinds of privacy fences. To actually see between the board gaps, however, requires you to look through from the side.

Picket

• Picket fences are a traditional wooden fence type. Although the fences are generally created by spacing the boards along the rails, the pickets can be placed close together for privacy. The classic picket fence has pointed pickets, but the boards may be flat or rounded on top. For the most privacy, place the pickets close together and choose a height of 6 or 7 feet. Traditional picket fences are painted white, but leaving the boards natural is also an option.