
The exception is the framed style where the rails are located at the very top and bottom to “frame” the pickets. The other side is smooth and is usually public facing. The rail side is usually installed facing in. So, you can see the rails on one side of the fence but not the other. Pickets are usually 5-½” wide (thinner pickets are called “stockade” style see below).Īll the pickets are installed on the one side of the rails. Several of these styles are discussed below.Įstimate Solid Board Privacy Fence MaterialĪ solid board privacy fence consists of 2 or 3 rails connected to posts with attached pickets that have no gaps between them. Most involve pickets-or sometimes rails-being placed so that they touch thereby blocking the view through the fence, while some have no pickets at all. Some styles have two horizontal rails between the posts and others use 3, 4, 5, or more. The types of lumber needed for a wood privacy fence will vary by its type and style. Types of Lumber Needed For a Wood Privacy Fence

We also suggest finding a local contractor to get a professional estimate for your project to find out precisely what it will cost. Multiply the prices by the amount of material needed, then add them together to get a total estimated cost.

Also, don’t forget to check the price of exterior screws and post-setting concrete. Ask for prices on 4×4s, 2×4s, and pickets in each wood you are considering. Use the calculator above to estimate quantities and costs for all three materials at once.Ī home center or lumberyard can provide you with your local material costs.

Common wood choices are pressure-treated wood, cedar, or redwood, and they vary in price considerably. To determine a solid price estimate, decide on the fence style and type of wood you want and accurately estimate the amount of material needed. Wood is often chosen for its durability, aesthetics, and affordability. The average fence costs $2000 to $8000 to install, depending on material, style, and length.

Gate posts are usually 4×4 or 6×6 dimensional lumber. Plan on ordering lumber to build gates as needed, including additional posts and hardware. Posts are commonly constructed using 4×4 dimensional lumber, and rails are often 2×4. We recommend ordering 10% extra lumber to account for cutoffs and waste. For example, let’s find the number of pickets needed for a 100′ fence using a 5- ½” picket with a 2″ spacing.ĥ.5″ picket width + 2″ spacing = 7.5″ combined widthġ200″ length ÷ 7.5″ combined width = 160 pickets Tips For Estimating Fence Lumber
