Wood Fence Installation
Wood fencing remains one of the most flexible choices for homes, businesses, farms, and large properties. It can provide complete backyard privacy, define property lines, enclose pets, improve curb appeal, or create a finished boundary around an outdoor living area.
Custom wood fences built for privacy, strength and curb appeal
Modern Fence Company installs custom wood fencing throughout Fort Smith, Western Arkansas, and Eastern Oklahoma.
We offer several wood species, board layouts, post options, decorative details, gates, and staining choices. Every fence is planned around the property, how the fence will be used, and the level of maintenance the owner expects.
Our wood fence options include
- Solid-board privacy fencing
- Board-on-board fencing
- Shadowbox fencing
- Horizontal wood fencing
- Picket fencing
- Post-and-rail fencing
- Estate fencing
- Wood fencing with steel posts
- Custom wood gates
- Steel-frame wood gates
- Cap-and-trim upgrades
- Wood Defender staining
- Dip-stained fence materials
We do not use one basic design for every project. The fence height, board layout, post system, gate design, and finish should work together to create a fence that looks right and stands the test of time.
Warm, natural and easier to customise
Wood offers a warm, natural appearance that works with many home and property styles. It can also be customized more easily than many prefabricated fence systems.
The right wood fence depends on the property and the reason it is being installed. A fence built mainly for privacy may need a different layout than a picket fence, estate fence, or commercial screening fence.
A wood fence may be a strong choice when the property owner wants
- Backyard privacy
- A natural appearance
- Flexible height options
- Custom board layouts
- Decorative details
- A fence that can be stained
- Gates designed to match the fence
- A finished boundary around an outdoor living space
- A fence that can follow uneven terrain
- A traditional or modern style
Block the view, keep the yard usable
A wood privacy fence can block unwanted views, separate neighboring properties, reduce distractions for pets, and create a more comfortable backyard. Modern Fence Company builds privacy fencing in several styles.
Options may include
- Solid-board fencing
- Board-on-board fencing
- Shadowbox fencing
- Horizontal boards
- Alternate-board layouts
- Decorative tops
- Cap and trim
- Steel posts
- Custom gates
- Staining
The amount of privacy depends on the board spacing, fence height, layout, grade, and viewing angle. A fence should be designed to provide the desired privacy without creating avoidable problems with wind, drainage, gates, or local rules.
Boards close together, a closed surface
Solid-board fencing places the fence boards close together to create a closed surface. This is one of the most common styles used for:
- Backyard privacy
- Pet containment
- Property separation
- Pool or outdoor living areas
- Residential side yards
- Screening equipment or utility spaces
Solid-board fencing may be built with dog-ear boards, flat tops, decorative caps, trim, or other details.
Wood naturally expands, contracts, and changes as it is exposed to weather. The final fence should be built with appropriate materials and construction methods rather than unrealistic promises that wood will never move, crack, twist, or weather.
Overlapping boards, fewer visible gaps
Board-on-board fencing uses overlapping boards to reduce visible gaps between the two sides of the fence. This can provide a more finished appearance and maintain better privacy as the boards naturally change over time.
A good choice for
- High-privacy backyards
- Outdoor living spaces
- Homes located close together
- Properties where both sides of the fence are visible
- Homeowners who want a more substantial finished design
This style uses more material than a basic solid-board fence, which affects the final project scope and price.
Boards on alternating sides
Shadowbox fencing uses boards installed on alternating sides of the rails. The finished fence provides partial privacy while allowing more air movement than a completely solid fence.
It may work well where
- Both neighbors will see the fence
- Airflow is important
- The homeowner wants partial privacy
- Wind exposure is a concern
- A finished appearance is desired on both sides
Shadowbox fencing is not fully private when viewed at an angle. Homeowners should consider the actual viewing conditions before selecting this layout.
A clean, modern line across the fence
Horizontal wood fencing creates a clean, modern appearance using boards installed across the fence line rather than vertically. This style is often chosen for:
- Modern homes
- Custom backyards
- Outdoor kitchens
- Pool areas
- Patio spaces
- High-end residential properties
- Decorative privacy walls
Horizontal fencing requires careful framing and board support. Long boards can move, bow, or sag when the structure is too light or support points are spaced too far apart. The posts, rails, board thickness, and layout should be designed for the finished height and span.
An open boundary with a traditional look
Wood picket fencing creates a more open boundary while maintaining a traditional residential appearance.
It may be used around
- Front yards
- Gardens
- Walkways
- Cottage-style homes
- Decorative property lines
- Small pet areas
- Outdoor gathering spaces
Picket options may include
- Common pickets
- Dog-ear pickets
- Gothic tops
- Rounded tops
- Flat tops
- Custom spacing
- Decorative posts
- Matching walk gates
The height and spacing should be selected based on the intended use and any local or HOA requirements.
An open layout for rural and estate property
Post-and-rail fencing provides an open layout for rural properties, large estates, ranch entrances, and decorative boundaries.
Post-and-rail fencing may be used as part of an agricultural or ranch fencing project when additional containment materials are needed.
Rail configurations we offer
- Two-rail estate fencing
- Three-rail estate fencing
- Four-rail estate fencing
- Custom post-and-rail layouts
- Combined wood and wire systems
- Matching estate gates
- Ranch entrance systems
The material decides appearance and maintenance
The material selected affects appearance, maintenance, availability, and long-term performance. Modern Fence Company may use treated pine, cedar, redwood, steel posts, and other proven components based on the project.
Treated pine
Commonly used for posts, rails, pickets, and other fence components. It provides a practical wood fencing option and can be stained to improve appearance and provide added protection.
The quality of treated lumber can vary. Material selection, storage, installation, and finishing all affect the final result.
Cedar
Often selected for its natural color, grain, and resistance to decay. Cedar should still be properly maintained — sun, moisture, and changing weather will affect its color and condition over time.
Redwood
May be available for selected custom projects. It provides a distinctive appearance and may be used when the customer wants a premium wood option. Availability and material cost can vary.
Steel posts
A wood fence can be built with galvanized steel posts instead of traditional wood posts. The final post system should be chosen based on the fence height, wind exposure, soil, grade, layout, and customer priorities.
Cedar may be used for
- Privacy fence boards
- Decorative fencing
- Picket fences
- Horizontal fences
- Custom gates
- High-end backyard projects
Wood-on-steel construction may provide
- Added post strength
- Reduced concern about post rot
- Stronger support in some applications
- A cleaner solution for taller fences
- Better support for selected gate openings
The visible boards are only one part of the fence
Posts and foundations have a major effect on whether the fence remains straight and stable. Modern Fence Company considers:
- Fence height
- Post size
- Post spacing
- Hole depth
- Hole diameter
- Soil conditions
- Mountain rock
- Expansive clay
- Drainage
- Wind exposure
- Gate weight
- Grade changes
Shallow post holes and light materials may reduce the original estimate, but they can also result in movement, leaning, or early failure.
We specify post depth and materials based on the project rather than relying on one basic installation method for every property.
Details that earn their maintenance
Wood fencing can be customized with several design details.
The best upgrades are those that improve the appearance or function of the fence without creating unnecessary maintenance.
Available upgrades may include
- Cap and trim
- Decorative post caps
- Pyramid caps
- Ball caps
- Gothic caps
- Chamfered tops
- Decorative hardware
- Custom picket tops
- Fence lighting
- Lighted post caps
- Steel-frame gates
- Ornamental metal accents
- Custom posts
- Stain colors
Protection and a finished appearance
Stain can help protect the wood and give the fence a more finished appearance. Modern Fence Company provides fence staining and cleaning using Wood Defender products.
Staining options may include
- Staining after installation
- Dip-stained materials
- Fence cleaning
- Restaining
- Fence Facelift service
- Maintenance plans
The proper timing for staining depends on the wood, moisture content, weather, and selected product.
Dip-stained fence materials
Dip staining applies stain to the material before installation. This can provide coverage on more surfaces of the boards and components than staining only the visible fence after construction. Availability and recommended use depend on the material and project.
Grey and faded is not always worn out
An older fence may still be structurally usable even though it looks gray, faded, or dirty. Our Fence Facelift service may include cleaning, minor repairs, surface preparation, and staining.
The final result depends on
- Fence age
- Wood condition
- Existing coatings
- Rot
- Cracking
- Warping
- Previous repairs
- Sun exposure
A fence with widespread structural damage may need repair or replacement before staining.
Our wood fence installation process
1
Initial contact
Call our office or submit the estimate request form. Tell us the property location, approximate fence length, preferred style, gate needs, and project timing.
2
Site visit
A Modern Fence salesperson visits the property to review fence layout, existing conditions, slope, access, gates, visible utilities, drainage and material options.
3
Design and material selection
We discuss the fence height, board layout, posts, rails, gates, stain, and available upgrades.
4
Written proposal
We prepare a written proposal based on the selected scope and materials.
5
Project approval
After the proposal and required deposit are received, the project is prepared for scheduling.
6
Material ordering and gate planning
Materials are ordered, and custom gates are measured or planned through our fabrication shop.
7
Installation
The crew lays out the fence, installs corner and gate posts, sets line posts, allows concrete to cure as needed, and completes the fence sections.
8
Gates and finishing work
Custom gates, decorative details, and other selected features are installed.
9
Cleanup and review
Project debris is removed and the work area is left lawn-mower ready. A supervisor or salesperson reviews the completed project and addresses customer concerns.
How long does wood fence installation take?
Modern Fence Company is often scheduled several weeks in advance. Weather, special materials, and custom fabrication can affect the final start or completion date.
We provide scheduling updates when the project approaches installation.
The installation schedule depends on
- Fence length
- Number of gates
- Gate fabrication
- Material availability
- Ground conditions
- Rock
- Weather
- Property access
- Fence removal
- Current workload
- Permit or HOA requirements
Why we do not publish a price per foot
Wood fence projects vary because every property and design is different. Modern Fence Company does not publish general price ranges because the actual specifications have a major effect on the final proposal.
A useful estimate should explain the material and construction details, not only provide one total number. A low estimate may leave out important details that affect the life of the fence.
Factors may include
- Total fence length
- Fence height
- Wood species
- Board style
- Post material
- Post depth
- Number of rails
- Slope
- Rock or difficult soil
- Number and size of gates
- Steel gate frames
- Fence removal
- Staining
- Decorative details
- Property access
- Travel distance
- Permits
- HOA requirements
What comes with the fence
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01
More than 75 years of fence experience
Modern Fence Company has served the region since 1950.
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02
Employee installation crews
Our fence installations are completed by Modern Fence Company employees rather than unknown subcontracted crews.
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03
In-house gate fabrication
We build custom gates through our own metal fabrication shop.
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04
Property-specific construction
We review the grade, soil, drainage, access, and intended use before finalizing the fence specifications.
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05
Premium material choices
We focus on proven materials rather than box-store products selected only to create the lowest bid.
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06
Clean project completion
Our crews remove project debris and leave the work area lawn-mower ready.
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07
Workmanship warranty
Wood fence installations include a one-year workmanship warranty for qualifying labor problems caused by our work. Natural wood movement, cracking, twisting, and warping are not treated as workmanship failures unless otherwise stated. Review our warranty information.
Wood fence installation across
Western Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma
Modern Fence Company installs wood fencing throughout:
We also complete projects throughout Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott, Le Flore, Sequoyah and Haskell counties. Larger commercial, industrial and government projects may be accepted outside our normal service area.
Completed privacy fences, horizontal layouts and custom gates
See completed privacy fences, horizontal fences, board-on-board layouts, custom gates, and stained wood projects in our project gallery. You can also read customer reviews from property owners who have worked with Modern Fence Company.
Wood fence installation questions
Visit our fencing and access control FAQ for more answers.
What type of wood fence provides the most privacy?
Solid-board and board-on-board fences generally provide the greatest privacy. The final result depends on the board spacing, height, grade, and viewing angle.
What is the difference between solid-board and board-on-board fencing?
Solid-board fencing places boards close together on one side of the rails. Board-on-board fencing overlaps boards to help reduce visible gaps as the wood changes over time.
Can you install a horizontal wood fence?
Yes. We build horizontal wood fencing for modern homes, outdoor living areas, and custom backyard projects.
Can a wood fence be built with steel posts?
Yes. Wood-on-steel construction is available for selected projects.
Does Modern Fence Company build custom gates?
Yes. We fabricate wood, steel-frame wood, and ornamental gates in our own shop.
Can you install a wood fence on a sloped yard?
Yes. The fence may follow the grade or use a stepped layout. The approach depends on the slope and selected style.
Do you stain new wood fences?
Yes. We provide fence staining and cleaning using Wood Defender products, including staining after installation, dip-stained materials, restaining and our Fence Facelift service. The proper timing depends on the wood, moisture content, weather, and selected product.
Privacy, security and a finished outdoor space
A wood fence can provide privacy, security, and a finished outdoor space when it is built around the property and intended use. Our team will help you compare materials and design a wood fence that fits the property.
Tell us
- Where the property is located
- The approximate fence length
- The style you are considering
- The desired height
- Whether the yard is sloped
- How many gates are needed
- Whether steel posts are preferred
- Whether staining is requested
- Whether HOA approval is required
- Your preferred project timing