WOOD PRIVACY FENCING
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Most Popular Build
Wood Privacy Fence Installation in Metro Detroit
Dog-ear and flat-top solid board fences in Western Red Cedar or pressure-treated pine, 4 to 8 feet tall. Every post is set 42″ deep in concrete so the line stays plumb, and every board is fastened with hot-dipped galvanized nails that will not streak or rust out.
Cedar or Treated Pine
Dog-Ear or Flat-Top
42″ Frost-Line Posts
Permits & HOA Filed
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BUILT TO STAY STRAIGHT
A Solid Board Fence Is Only as Good as Its Posts and Rails
Boards get the attention, but posts and rails decide whether the fence is still straight in ten years. Here is how we build the part you cannot see.
Frost-Line Footings
Michigan frost reaches about 42 inches. Posts set at 24 inches get jacked up a little every winter. Ours go to 42″ in concrete.
No heave, no lean
Rails Sized to Height
Two rails up to about 5 feet, three rails at 6 feet and above, so tall boards do not cup or pull loose mid-span.
3 rails on 6ft and 8ft
Galvanized Fasteners
Hot-dipped galvanized or stainless nails and screws, never bright steel that leaves black streaks down cedar.
No rust stains
Gaps for Wood Movement
Boards are set with a small consistent gap so they can swell in spring rain without buckling, and shrink without opening wide.
Even spacing, jig-set
CEDAR OR TREATED PINE
Choosing Wood, Height and Top Style
Western Red Cedar is naturally rot and insect resistant, stays straighter, and weathers to silver gray if you leave it alone. Pressure-treated pine costs less and holds up well in the ground, but it moves more as it dries and should be sealed once it has seasoned. Many homeowners split the difference with treated posts and cedar boards. Either way, a stain every 3 to 5 years extends life, and our staining and sealing service can handle it.
Dog-ear boards have the two clipped corners most people picture. Flat-top boards are cut square, often finished with a cap rail and trim for a cleaner modern line. Six feet is the standard backyard height; eight feet needs heavier posts and is limited on many lots. If you want the fence to look finished from both sides, step up to shadowbox or board-on-board. Gates are built to match on our custom wood gates page, and all styles are on the wood fencing hub.
6 FT PRIVACY FENCE
Cedar
Treated Pine
Rot Resistance
Boards above ground
Natural oils
Chemical treatment
Movement
Warping and cupping
Low
Moderate
Unsealed Look
After a few years
Silver gray
Tan, then gray
Typical Life
With periodic stain
20–30 years
15–20 years
Installed Range
Per linear foot
$38–$58
$28–$42
HOW WE BUILD IT
Three Steps to a Straight, Permitted Privacy Fence
A typical backyard solid board fence is built in two to three days once the permit is issued.
01
Step 1
Measure & Written Quote
We walk the line, note slopes, trees and old fence to remove, plan gate locations and leave an itemized price for wood, height, top style and gates.
Grade changes noted
Gate posts placed first
Removal priced separately
PAPERWORK MANAGED
02
Step 2
Permit, HOA & Miss Dig
Most Metro Detroit cities require a permit for a privacy fence. We draw the plot plan, file it, prepare the HOA packet and call Miss Dig 811 before digging.
Plot plan drawn by us
HOA packet submitted
Utilities marked first
03
Step 3
Posts, Rails, Boards
Posts go 42″ deep in concrete about 8 feet apart, rails are leveled or stepped to grade, and boards are hung with a spacer jig. We walk the finished line with you.
Racked or stepped on slopes
Jig-set board spacing
Scrap and spoils hauled
Which Side Faces the Neighbor?
Many cities require the finished side to face out. We check your local rule and tell you before we build, so there are no inspection surprises.
CONFIGURATIONS
Solid Board Options We Build Most
Same footings and fasteners on every option. What changes is height, wood and the details on top.
6ft Dog-Ear Cedar
Our most requested privacy fence. Cedar boards on treated or cedar posts with three rails.
6ft Flat-Top with Cap
Square-cut boards finished with a 2x6 cap rail and trim board for a framed, modern top line.
6ft Treated Pine
The best value for long runs. Seal it after the first season once the wood has dried out.
8ft Privacy
Heavier 6x6 posts and extra rails for lots that face a road or a two-story neighbor, where code allows.
4ft and 5ft Solid
Lower solid fences for side yards, dog runs and spots where height limits rule out six feet.
Lattice Topper
A 1 to 2 foot lattice band on top of a solid fence for extra height that still lets light through.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Wood Privacy Fence Questions
Cost, height and permit answers for Metro Detroit yards.
How much does a wood privacy fence cost in Metro Detroit?
Most 6-foot pressure-treated pine privacy fences land between $28 and $42 per linear foot installed, and cedar between $38 and $58. Height, gates, slopes, cap rails and old-fence removal move the number. You get an exact written price after the free measure.
What height is normal for a backyard privacy fence?
Six feet is the standard and is allowed in rear yards by nearly every Metro Detroit community. Eight feet is permitted on some lots or lot lines. We confirm your lot's rules before quoting.
Do I need a permit for a wood privacy fence?
In most Wayne, Oakland and Macomb communities, yes. We file the permit with a plot plan as part of the job. The city's permit fee is passed through at cost.
Can you build a privacy fence on a sloped yard?
Yes. On gentle slopes we rack the rails to follow the ground so the bottom stays tight. On steeper grades we step the sections and trim the boards to close gaps under the fence.
How long does a cedar privacy fence last in Michigan?
A well-built cedar fence with a stain every 3 to 5 years commonly lasts 20 to 30 years. Posts set too shallow are what usually end a fence early, not the boards.
Should I choose wood or vinyl for privacy?
Wood costs less up front and can be stained any color. Vinyl costs more but needs no staining. Compare our full-privacy vinyl fencing if low maintenance is the priority.
FREE WOOD FENCE QUOTE
Request Your Free Wood Privacy Fence Estimate
Tell us your rough footage, wood preference and gate needs. We will measure on site and leave an itemized written price.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Cedar and treated pine priced side by side
Permit, plot plan and HOA packet filed by us
Workmanship warranty and final walkthrough
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
Online Booking Open
🔒 Your contact info is strictly confidential. We never sell your data or spam you.