Board on Board Fence
Choose Your Quality of Board on Board Wood Fence
If you’re looking for privacy, you’re definitely looking for a board-on-board fence. It’s the ultimate choice if privacy is your top priority, but it’s important to know how board on board works, and why it works so well.
Board On Board Benefits
Enhanced Privacy: Board-on-board design provides full coverage with overlapping boards, minimizing visibility through the fence. Durability: The overlapping structure offers added strength and stability, making the fence more resistant to strong winds and other weather conditions. Visual Appeal: The alternating boards create a visually appealing pattern that adds charm and character to the property. Noise Reduction: The dense structure of a board-on-board fence helps absorb sound, reducing noise from neighboring properties or nearby streets. Increased Property Value: A well-built, attractive privacy fence can enhance the value of a property by improving aesthetics and functionality, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
How Board On Board Is Built
Board-on-board starts with a series of posts and rails, which fence post covers can cover up. This doesn’t differentiate this particular type of fencing. It’s the same starting point you’d have for a panel or picket fence, but it’s the mounting of the fence boards on both sides of the rails that starts to give you the privacy you’re after.
The boards are mounted with wide gaps between them initially, but then each board is alternated to cover the gaps between boards on the opposite side of the fence board. That means there’s no longer a direct sightline, although there is an oblique view through the boards. If the terminology behind this is important to you, this is also known as a shadow box. Those overlapping pickets ensure a strong privacy fence protects your backyard. In many fence styles, wood shrinkage can cause gaps, and these gaps compromise the visual barrier the fence is supposed to provide.
Cost of Board-On-Board Fence
One thing to be aware of if you choose a board-on-board fence is that it will likely cost a little more. That’s because you’re using more boards than you would in other kinds of fencing, so that’s the price you pay for the ensured security with privacy fences. Generally speaking, a stockade style fence in which the boards overlap by an inch or more will require up to 30 percent more boards. You probably won’t need any special hardware other than nails or screws, but you will have to pay more for finishing supplies to cover the extra wood.
There’s another benefit, though. Because you’re using those extra boards, you’re also creating a better wind barrier, providing the fence posts are sunk keep enough to prevent the posts from failing in windy conditions or a serious storm. To prevent this, the fence posts should be anchored to at least one-third of their overall length, and the posts should be anchored with either gravel or concrete to ensure they’ll stay up. Another issue to consider with board-on-board wood fencing is the materials. The fencing will hold up longer if it’s redwood or cedar fencing, but the posts, slats, and rails can be built using rough-sawn or smooth lumber.
Regardless of which choice you make, the posts should be pressure-treated to ensure the longevity of your board-on-board wood fence. You can add an automatic wooden driveway gate to your board-on-board fence to finish the project, and this will give you ultimate privacy.
- $25-$45 per LF
- lumber = $8=$20
- maintenance costs
What Is A Wooden Board-on-Board Fence?
If you’re in the market for a Dallas fence company, you probably have a set of priorities. Maybe you want to mark a boundary. Perhaps you want an enclosure to keep pets and children safe or a barrier to keep trespassers from entering your property. All of those options will lead you to different kinds of fencing and give you multiple options to weigh and consider when looking for a board-on-board fence near Dallas.
If you’re looking for privacy, you’re definitely looking for a board-on-board fence. It’s the ultimate choice if privacy is your top priority, but it’s important to know how board on board works, and why it works so well.
The foremost advantage of a wooden board-on-board privacy fence lies in its unparalleled privacy provision. With overlapping boards tightly fitted together, this fence design ensures maximum concealment, shielding your property from prying eyes and creating a secluded sanctuary. Unlike conventional fences, the board-on-board configuration eliminates gaps, offering complete coverage and enhancing security. This privacy boost fosters a sense of tranquility and seclusion, allowing you to enjoy outdoor spaces without intrusion. Additionally, the natural aesthetic of wood lends warmth and charm to the landscape, further enhancing the appeal of your property. Ultimately, the privacy afforded by this fence fosters a peaceful retreat in your outdoor environment.
Board-on-board cedar fence panels serve primarily as barriers to provide privacy, security, and aesthetic enhancement to residential or commercial properties. Their overlapping design ensures complete coverage, effectively shielding yards, gardens, or other outdoor spaces from prying eyes and external elements. These panels are commonly used to define property boundaries, deter trespassers, and create secluded outdoor environments for relaxation or recreation. Additionally, their durability and natural aesthetic make them popular choices for enhancing the overall appearance of a property while simultaneously offering practical benefits such as noise reduction and wind protection.
8 Foot Board on Board Fence Gallery
6 Foot Board on Board Fence Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
A board-on-board fence overlaps vertical pickets so there are no direct gaps, even as the wood naturally shrinks over time. This makes it one of the most reliable options for full privacy compared to standard side-by-side fences.
It depends on the material:
- Douglas Fir: ~7–10 years
- Japanese Cedar: ~10–12 years
- Western Red Cedar: 20–25+ years
Maintenance, weather exposure, and installation quality will also impact lifespan.
If you're choosing based on budget vs longevity:
- Douglas Fir: Cheapest, shortest lifespan
- Japanese Cedar: Balanced option
- Western Red Cedar: Best durability and lowest long-term maintenance
If you plan to stay in your home long-term, cheaping out usually costs more later.
Yes. You're using more material and labor because of the overlapping design. But you're paying for consistent privacy and better durability—not just aesthetics.
Yes, and ignoring this is how people ruin their investment. You should:
- Seal or stain every 2–3 years
- Inspect for warping or loose boards
- Clean periodically to prevent mold and rot
Yes—because it's wood. That's unavoidable. The overlapping design minimizes visible gaps, which is exactly why this style exists in the first place.
Most homeowners go with:
- 6 ft: Standard privacy
- 8 ft: Maximum privacy and security
Your choice should depend on local regulations, budget, and how much privacy you actually need.
Most residential board-on-board fences are installed in 1–3 days, depending on size, terrain, and weather. Larger or more complex layouts take longer.
Yes—especially in suburban areas where privacy matters. It improves curb appeal, security, and perceived property quality. Just don't expect a 1:1 ROI—this is a lifestyle upgrade, not a flip strategy.
Because it solves the biggest problem most fences have: gaps over time. If privacy is your top priority, this is one of the most effective and visually appealing solutions available.
