HORIZONTAL SLAT FENCING
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Modern Lines
Spaced Horizontal Fences in Metro Detroit
Long horizontal boards with even gaps make a yard look wider and a house look newer. They also sag if they are framed like a regular fence. We build horizontal fences with tighter post spacing and center supports so the lines stay dead straight.
Cedar or Aluminum Slats
Gaps From 1/4″ to 1″
Posts at 6ft or Less
Free Design Consult
DIRECT DISPATCH PHONE
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
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WHY GO HORIZONTAL
What a Spaced Horizontal Fence Does Well
It is a style choice first, but the gaps do practical work too.
Makes Small Yards Look Bigger
Horizontal lines pull the eye sideways, so narrow city and inner-ring suburb lots feel wider.
Great on tight lots
Lets Wind and Light Through
A 1/2″ gap cuts wind load compared with a solid fence and keeps beds along the fence from going dark.
Lower wind load
Privacy You Can Tune
Tighter gaps for near-total screening by a patio, wider gaps along a side yard where airflow matters more.
Gap set per section
Pairs With Modern Homes
Clean lines suit new builds, mid-century ranches and remodeled exteriors with black trim and gray siding.
Contemporary curb appeal
MATERIALS & RELATED BUILDS
How We Build Horizontal Fences
Most horizontal fences are cedar on a wood or steel frame. Aluminum slat systems suit owners who want zero upkeep.
Most Popular
Cedar Horizontal Slat Fence
Built by Our Wood Crews
Clear or knotty Western Red Cedar boards with a cap and trim frame. Stain it, seal it or let it go silver.
Boards:
1x4, 1x6 cedar
Gap:
1/4″ to 1″
Heights:
4ft to 6ft
Best For:
Patios, backyards
Warm natural grain
Zero Upkeep
Aluminum Slat Systems
Powder-Coated Metal
Pre-finished aluminum slats in black, bronze or woodgrain that never need stain and never sag between posts.
Finish:
Powder coat
Colors:
Black, bronze, woodgrain
Heights:
4ft to 6ft
Best For:
Low maintenance
No staining ever
Matching Gates
Custom Wood Walk & Drive Gates
Horizontal to Match
Gates built with the same slats and gap, on steel-stiffened frames so the long boards never pull the gate out of square.
Walk:
3ft to 5ft
Drive:
Double to 16ft
Frame:
Steel stiffened
Best For:
Seamless look
Gaps line up with fence
WHY THEY SAG AND HOW WE STOP IT
Horizontal Boards Need Different Framing
On a regular vertical fence, rails carry the load and boards just hang. On a horizontal fence the boards themselves span post to post, and a 1x6 over an 8-foot gap will belly within a season or two. We keep posts at 6 feet or less, add a vertical center stiffener on each section, and use thicker boards on wider bays.
The gap also moves. Cedar shrinks and swells with Michigan humidity, so a gap set at 1/4″ in a wet spring can open noticeably by August. We set spacing with the season in mind. Posts go below the 42″ frost line so one heaving post does not throw the lines out of level. For more style ideas, see modern fence designs.
HORIZONTAL FENCE SPECS
Our Build
Common Shortcut
Post Spacing
Board span
6ft or less
8ft
Center Support
Mid-span stiffener
Every section
None
Post Depth
Frost heave
Below 42″
24″–30″
Fasteners
Stain and rust
Stainless
Bright nails
Board Ends
Weather exposure
Trimmed and capped
Exposed
FROM SKETCH TO FENCE
How a Horizontal Fence Project Runs
Horizontal fences take a little longer to build than a standard privacy fence because every board is leveled. Most finish in three to four days.
01
Step 1
Design Consult
We pick board width, gap and height together, mock up a section if you want to see it, and leave a written quote.
Board and gap samples
Height checked against local rules
Itemized price
PAPERWORK MANAGED
02
Step 2
Permits & Miss Dig
We draw the plot plan, file the permit, handle the HOA review and call in Miss Dig 811 before digging.
Permit filed
HOA drawing supplied
Utilities marked
03
Step 3
Build to a String Line
Posts set below frost, framing squared, then each board laser-leveled with spacers so the gaps stay identical end to end.
Laser-leveled boards
Stainless fasteners
Site cleaned up
HOA Not Sure About Horizontal?
We supply a drawing and sample photos with the application. That answers most HOA questions.
DESIGN CHOICES
Ways to Customize a Horizontal Fence
Small choices change the look a lot.
Mixed Board Widths
Alternating 1x4 and 1x6 boards adds rhythm without adding much cost.
Black Steel Posts
Slim black metal posts with cedar slats for a sharp modern look.
Dark Stain
Charcoal or espresso semi-solid stain hides weathering and suits black-trim homes.
Partial Screens
A short run of horizontal fence to hide AC units, trash cans or a hot tub. See decorative and privacy screens.
Board-on-Board Horizontal
Two layers of horizontal boards offset by half a board for full privacy that still shows a gap pattern from an angle.
Horizontal Over Existing Posts
Sometimes an old fence with sound, deep posts can be reskinned horizontally. We check post depth and condition before recommending it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Horizontal Fence Questions
What people ask before committing to the look.
How much does a horizontal fence cost?
Most cedar horizontal fences in Metro Detroit land between $40 and $70 per linear foot installed, because they take more posts, more framing and more labor than a standard privacy fence. Aluminum slat systems run higher.
How big should the gaps be?
For privacy, 1/4 to 1/2 inch. For a more open look with more airflow, 3/4 to 1 inch. Remember cedar shrinks, so gaps grow a little in dry weather.
Are horizontal fences easier to climb?
They can be, since boards act like ladder rungs. Tight gaps help. If climbing is a concern for kids or pools, consider an anti-climb design instead.
Do horizontal fences sag?
Only if the boards span too far. We keep posts at 6 feet or less and add a center stiffener, which keeps them straight.
Do I need HOA approval for a horizontal fence?
If you have an HOA, yes. Some restrict styles. We prepare the drawing and spec sheet for the application.
Which wood is best for a horizontal fence?
Western Red Cedar. It stays straighter as it dries and holds an even gap far better than pressure-treated pine, which shrinks and twists in its first season. We use pressure-treated or steel posts in the ground and cedar boards above.
FREE HORIZONTAL FENCE QUOTE
Request Your Free Horizontal Fence Estimate
Tell us the look you want. We will measure, bring samples and price the board, gap and height you pick.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Framing designed to prevent sag
Permits, HOA and Miss Dig handled
Workmanship warranty included
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.