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OTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Your home is undoubtedly your most valuable asset. As such, it warrants fencing that is special and unique, underscoring your individual sense of style.

Our selection of fence designs can be individualized to enhance any setting and yet still perform the important functions of providing security and privacy, defining boundaries and serving as the backdrop to landscaping and gardens.

Whatever its purpose, a fence can function in many ways, but the first step is deciding what you're looking for to choose one that works for you. Next, consider how you want your fence to be built - pay attention to important features including post type, materials, fence height, picket style and more.

See our glossary of fence terminology > 

FENCE ANATOMY

It is helpful to start by understanding the anatomy of a typical modern or traditional fence.

 

KEY DECISIONS

 

Height: One of the first decisions you will need to make is how tall your new fence will be. Typically, fences in front yards, for example, are 4 feet tall and backyard fences are 6 feet tall. 

 

Material: Another important consideration is the material we will use - most often, we build our fences using tight knot cedar or clear cedar.

Fence anatomy

TRADITIONAL STYLE FENCE

traditional cedar fence style

MODERN STYLE FENCE

modern cedar fence style

FENCE POST BASES

When designing your new fence, it is critical to ensure that the posts are protected from moisture rot. For new fences, we use the Post on Pipe method on new concrete. Where we are using existing concrete, we recommend Post-on Pipe with Base Plate or Saddle Post Base methods. All of these methods create a separation between the wooden post and the concrete base which reduces the danger for rotting.

post on pipe fence

Post on Pipe in new concrete

saddle post fencing style

Saddle Post Base on existing concrete

PICKET STYLES

Pickets can vary in height, width and spacing and can be customized to your style, security, and privacy needs. 

Top: Sloped

Bottom: Level & Sloped

Top: Level & Stepped

Bottom: Sloped

Top: Level & Stepped

Bottom: Level & Stepped

Top: Level

Bottom: Level

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6 with No Gap

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6 with 1 inch Gap

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6 & 1x2 Pattern with 1 inch Gap

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6, 1x2 & 1x2 Pattern with 1 inch Gap

Picket styles
Rain City Fence Picket Style_edited.jpg

1x6 with No Gap

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6 with 1 inch Gap

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6 & 1x2 Pattern with 1 inch Gap

Rain City Fence Picket Style

1x6, 1x2 & 1x2 Pattern with 1 inch Gap

BUILDING A FENCE ON A SLOPE

Building a fence on a slope can be challenging, since the posts and pickets remain plumb regardless of the slope of the ground below it. Because we will construct your new fence from individual pickets, each picket can be staggered or “racked” to follow the contour of the land. This means the length of the posts and pickets remains the same throughout, regardless of the slope. Since we're building the fence from scratch, it can hug the ground in a close curve without gaps under it.

Alternatively, we can build your fence on a slope using the stepped method where an entire section is stepped up or down so it remains level. The posts are installed plumb, and each panel steps lower or higher as the grade changes. This allows the overall line of the fence to follow the slope in a stair-step fashion.

cedar fence building on a slope

Top: Sloped

Bottom: Sloped

Top: Level & Stepped

Bottom: Sloped

cedar fence building on a slope

Top: Sloped

Bottom: Sloped

Top: Sloped

Bottom: Sloped

(Pickets are left square and step at grade change)

Top: Level & Stepped

Bottom: Sloped

(Pickets are left square and step at grade change)

cedar fence building on a slope

Top: Level and Stepped

Bottom: Sloped

(Pickets are Angle Cut)

Top: Level and Stepped

Bottom: Level and Stepped

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