PREMIUM WOOD PRIVACY
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Good Both Sides
Shadowbox Fence Installation in Metro Detroit
Boards alternate on both faces of the rails, so the fence looks finished from your yard and your neighbor's. Shadowbox lets air through at an angle; board-on-board overlaps more for near-solid privacy. Both are built on 42″ frost-line posts with a three-rail frame.
Finished on Both Sides
Three-Rail Frame
Cedar or Treated Pine
Permits & HOA Filed
DIRECT DISPATCH PHONE
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WHY GO PREMIUM
Why Homeowners Upgrade From a Standard Privacy Fence
An alternating-board fence uses more lumber and more labor. Here is what that extra cost buys you.
No Bad Side
Rails and posts are hidden between the two board faces, so neither yard looks at the back of the fence. Good for neighbor relations and resale.
Same face both ways
Less Wind Load
Air slips through the offset gaps instead of pushing against a solid wall, which reduces stress on posts in spring storms.
Breathes in high wind
Gaps That Do Not Open
On a solid board fence, shrinking boards open see-through cracks. Overlapped boards keep covering each other as they move.
Privacy as wood dries
SHADOWBOX VS BOARD-ON-BOARD
The Difference Is How Much the Boards Overlap
Both styles hang boards on alternating faces of the rails. Shadowbox leaves a gap on each face that is a little narrower than a board, so boards overlap about an inch or so and you can see slivers of light when you look at an angle. Board-on-board overlaps more, around two to three inches, and reads as solid from almost any viewpoint. Board-on-board uses roughly 10 to 15 percent more lumber, so it costs modestly more.
Because boards sit on both sides, these fences carry more weight than a single-face build. We use a three-rail frame, set posts 42″ deep in concrete about 8 feet apart, and fasten with hot-dipped galvanized nails so cedar does not streak. If budget matters more than the two-sided look, our solid board privacy fence covers the same height for less. Matching gates are on the custom wood gates page, and every style is on the wood fencing hub.
6 FT PREMIUM PRIVACY
Shadowbox
Board-on-Board
Board Overlap
Per board edge
About 1–2″
About 2–3″
Privacy
Straight on and angled
High, airflow
Near solid
Lumber Use
Versus solid board
More
Most
Treated Pine
Installed per foot
$32–$48
$35–$52
Cedar
Installed per foot
$45–$62
$48–$68
HOW WE BUILD IT
Precision Matters More on an Alternating-Board Fence
Any wander in the rails or spacing shows up twice, once on each face. These are the steps that keep the pattern clean end to end.
01
Step 1
Measure & Compare Quote
We measure the run, note slopes and trees, and quote shadowbox and board-on-board side by side in cedar and treated pine so you can compare.
Both styles priced
Grade changes mapped
Gate locations set
PAPERWORK MANAGED
02
Step 2
Permit, HOA & Miss Dig
We file the city permit with a plot plan, submit HOA drawings where required and call Miss Dig 811 to mark utilities before any digging.
Plot plan and permit
HOA drawings supplied
Utilities marked first
03
Step 3
Frame, Board & Cap
Posts go 42″ deep, three rails are leveled, and boards go up with a spacing template on one face, then the other. Cap rail and trim finish the top.
Spacing template used
Cap rail optional
Final walkthrough with you
Sharing the Cost With a Neighbor?
Because shadowbox looks the same from both sides, it is the style neighbors most often agree to split. We can quote the shared line separately.
OPTIONS & UPGRADES
Ways to Configure a Premium Privacy Fence
Pick the wood, height and finishing details. The structure underneath stays the same.
Cedar Shadowbox
Western Red Cedar boards on a three-rail frame. Stays straight and weathers evenly if left natural.
Cedar Board-on-Board
Maximum overlap for a fence that looks solid from every angle. Our most requested premium build.
Treated Pine Shadowbox
The two-sided look at a lower price. Seal after the first season once the boards have dried.
Cap Rail & Trim
A 2x6 cap across the top and a trim board below it hide board ends and shed water off the end grain.
8ft Height
Heavier 6x6 posts and an added rail for taller builds where your city allows them.
Horizontal Shadowbox
Boards run horizontally and alternate faces for a modern look. Needs closer post spacing to stop sag.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Shadowbox and Board-on-Board Questions
What to know before choosing a premium wood privacy fence.
Can my neighbors see through a shadowbox fence?
Straight on, no. At a sharp angle you can catch slivers of light between boards. If you want it to look solid from every angle, choose board-on-board.
How much more does board-on-board cost than shadowbox?
Usually only modestly more, because it uses roughly 10 to 15 percent more lumber. On a typical backyard run that is often a few hundred dollars. We quote both so you can see the exact difference.
Is shadowbox stronger in wind than a solid fence?
It sees less wind load because air passes through the offset gaps, and the three-rail frame adds stiffness. Deep posts still matter most, which is why ours go to 42″ in concrete.
How much does a shadowbox fence cost in Metro Detroit?
Most 6-foot shadowbox projects land between $32 and $48 per linear foot in treated pine and $45 to $62 in cedar, installed. Board-on-board runs a bit higher. Gates, cap rails and removal of an old fence are extra.
How do I maintain a cedar shadowbox fence?
Clean and re-stain or seal every 3 to 5 years to keep the color. Left unsealed, cedar turns silver gray and still performs, but sealing slows checking and keeps boards straighter. See our staining and sealing service.
Can you build matching gates?
Yes. We build walk and double drive gates with the same alternating-board face on a braced frame, hung on gate posts in oversized footings.
FREE PREMIUM FENCE QUOTE
Request Your Free Shadowbox Fence Estimate
We will measure on site and price shadowbox and board-on-board, in cedar and treated pine, side by side in writing.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Both styles quoted for easy comparison
Permit, plot plan and HOA drawings handled
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.