Metro Detroit's Wood Fence Experts
Shadowbox & Board-on-Board Fencing in Metro Detroit
Premium Privacy Fencing That Looks Great from Both Sides of Your Property
Shadowbox and board-on-board fencing is the upscale choice for Metro Detroit homeowners who want more than a basic privacy fence. The alternating board layout gives you 95% visual privacy while the design looks finished and intentional from both your yard and your neighbor's. We install both styles in Western Red Cedar and pressure-treated pine throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
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The Shadowbox & Board-on-Board Advantage
What separates shadowbox and board-on-board fencing from a standard solid board fence is sophistication. Rather than boards butted flat against rails on one side, our alternating-board design creates a three-dimensional profile that appears attractive from every angle - a critical feature when your fence borders a neighbor's property. It's also structurally superior, providing more wind resistance than flat-board fencing.
What Is Shadowbox Fencing?
In a shadowbox fence, boards alternate on each side of the center rail, positioned to overlap by 1-2 inches. Wind passes through the slight gaps instead of pushing directly against the fence, which reduces stress on posts and rails significantly.
What Is Board-on-Board Fencing?
Board-on-board uses the same alternating concept but with a more substantial overlap - typically 2-3 inches. The result is a denser, more solid appearance with even greater privacy than standard shadowbox. From straight-on viewing angles, board-on-board is virtually opaque.
Wind Load Advantage for Michigan Weather
Michigan's spring storms can generate sustained winds of 40-60+ mph. Our shadowbox and board-on-board designs allow a portion of wind to pass through, reducing stress on the post system by an estimated 30-40% compared to fully solid fencing.
Style Options & Configurations
We offer both shadowbox and board-on-board fencing in multiple configurations, heights, and wood species to fit any Metro Detroit property and budget. Whether you want the clean look of Western Red Cedar or the value of pressure-treated pine, we have options that match your vision and stand up to Michigan weather.
Premium Western Red Cedar alternating-board fence. Natural rot resistance, beautiful color. $22-$32/linear ft installed.
Maximum overlap for near-solid privacy in cedar. Upgraded appearance over standard shadowbox. $24-$34/linear ft.
Pressure-treated pine shadowbox - great value without sacrificing the style or airflow benefits. $16-$24/linear ft.
Both styles available in 8 ft for extra privacy or pool enclosure applications. Requires 5x5 or 6x6 posts.
Add a decorative 2x6 cap rail along the top for a finished, polished look. Available in cedar or composite.
Walk gates and double drive gates built to match your shadowbox or board-on-board fence exactly.
Our Installation Process for Premium Privacy Fencing
Installing a shadowbox or board-on-board fence requires more precision than a standard privacy fence - the alternating board pattern must be consistent throughout, rails must be perfectly level, and spacing must be exact. Our experienced crew handles all of this with the attention to detail these premium styles demand.
We visit your property, check grade changes and terrain, measure total footage, and quote both shadowbox and board-on-board options so you can compare.
We pull all city permits and handle HOA paperwork if applicable. Premium fence styles may require submitted drawings - we handle this too.
Both styles require a 3-rail system (top, middle, bottom) for stability. Posts set 48"+ in concrete with center rail added at 36" height.
Boards installed alternately on each face using a consistent spacing template. Cap rail, post caps, and hardware installed last. Final inspection before sign-off.
Specifications: What We Build With
Our shadowbox and board-on-board fences are built to perform in Michigan's demanding climate. From the depth of our footings to the grade of lumber we install, every specification is chosen to maximize durability and appearance over the long term.
Board Overlap & Spacing
Shadowbox: Boards alternated with 1.5"-2" overlap. Board-on-board: 2.5"-3" overlap. Both styles use 1x6 cedar or PT boards. Shadowbox allows ~5% see-through; board-on-board is near-opaque from straight-on viewing.
Rail Configuration & Post Spacing
3-rail system standard on all premium privacy fencing. Top rail at fence height minus 2", middle rail at 36", bottom rail at 8" from grade. Line posts spaced 6-8 ft on center.
Hardware & Fasteners
All fasteners are hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) to prevent corrosion-staining on cedar. Post caps included on all posts. Hinges and latches on gates are heavy-duty zinc-plated and rated for Michigan temperature swings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our shadowbox and board-on-board fencing? We've compiled the most common questions from Metro Detroit homeowners below. Call us at (734) 977-0554 anytime.
What is the difference between shadowbox and board-on-board?
Both alternate boards on each side of the center rail. Shadowbox has less overlap (1.5-2") for slight airflow while board-on-board uses 2.5-3" overlap for near-solid privacy. Board-on-board uses slightly more lumber and costs a bit more.
Is shadowbox fencing more wind-resistant than a solid board fence?
Yes - alternating-board fences can withstand 30-40% more wind load than solid fencing because air passes through instead of creating full lateral pressure on the posts.
Can my neighbors see into my yard through a shadowbox fence?
Not from a direct angle. Shadowbox provides approximately 95% privacy from any viewing angle beyond 5-10 degrees off perpendicular. Board-on-board provides virtually 100% privacy from straight-on viewing.
Is board-on-board significantly more expensive than shadowbox?
Only modestly. Board-on-board uses about 10-15% more lumber. On a 150-ft fence, the price difference is typically $200-$500 depending on wood species and height.
What maintenance does a shadowbox cedar fence need?
Cedar should be cleaned and re-stained or sealed every 3-5 years to maintain color and protection. Without sealing, cedar turns a natural silver-grey - still beautiful, but more porous over time.
Do you build gates to match shadowbox and board-on-board styles?
Absolutely - we build walk gates and double drive gates with matching alternating-board panels and identical hardware so the gate blends seamlessly with the fence line.
We Serve All of Metro Detroit
We install shadowbox and board-on-board privacy fencing across all of Metro Detroit. Our crews have completed premium wood fence projects in over 70 cities across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
Wyandotte•Woodhaven•Wixom•Westland•Wayne•Warren•Walled Lake•Utica•Troy•Trenton•Taylor•Sylvan Lake•Sterling Heights•St. Clair Shores•Southgate•Southfield•South Lyon•Royal Oak•Roseville•Romulus•Rockwood•Rochester Hills•Rochester•Riverview•River Rouge•Richmond•Pontiac•Plymouth•Pleasant Ridge•Orchard Lake Village•Oak Park•Novi•Northville•New Baltimore•Mount Clemens•Memphis•Melvindale•Madison Heights•Livonia•Lincoln Park•Lathrup Village•Lake Angelus•Keego Harbor•Inkster•Huntington Woods•Highland Park•Hazel Park•Harper Woods•Hamtramck•Grosse Pointe Woods•Grosse Pointe Shores•Grosse Pointe Park•Grosse Pointe Farms•Grosse Pointe•Gibraltar•Garden City•Fraser•Flat Rock•Ferndale•Fenton•Farmington Hills•Farmington•Ecorse•Eastpointe•Detroit•Dearborn Heights•Dearborn•Clawson•Clarkston•Center Line•Bloomfield Hills•Birmingham•Berkley•Belleville•Auburn Hills•Allen Park
Ready to Upgrade to a Premium Privacy Fence?
Get a free on-site quote for shadowbox or board-on-board fencing. We'll walk through both options in detail so you can choose the right fit for your property and budget.