Wood fence installation
Wood still fences a lot of Cedar City yards. In a dry, sunny, freezing climate, how it's built and sealed decides how long it lasts.
A wood fence has a warmth vinyl doesn't, and it fits older homes on the streets around downtown and Southern Utah University as well as newer houses with a modern horizontal design. It also takes more care here than in a wetter climate. Low humidity and strong high-elevation sun pull moisture out of boards, which leads to checking, cupping and gray weathering, while freeze and thaw at the ground line is where posts usually rot or heave.
Which wood and which style?
- Cedar boards. Naturally resistant to decay and less likely to warp; often paired with treated posts.
- Pressure-treated pine. Common for posts and rails, and for budget-minded privacy fences.
- Dog-ear and flat-top privacy. The classic 6-foot backyard fence.
- Board-on-board. Overlapping boards so there are no gaps when the wood shrinks in dry weather.
- Horizontal slat. A modern look; needs a stiff frame and closer post spacing so long boards don't sag.
What makes a wood fence last?
- Posts set below frost. Deep enough that freezing ground can't jack them up, with concrete shaped to shed water away from the wood.
- Ground contact rated posts. Treated lumber rated for in-ground use, or steel posts hidden behind the boards.
- A gap at the bottom. Boards kept off the soil so snow and wet ground don't wick into them.
- Sealing. A stain or sealer once the wood has dried enough to take it, then on a regular schedule.
- Good fasteners. Coated or stainless screws and nails that won't streak or loosen.
Steel posts with a wood face
Many contractors now offer galvanized steel posts with wood boards and rails. The posts don't rot at the ground line, which is where most wood fences in town fail first, and the fence still looks like wood from both sides if it's built that way. Ask whether that's an option for your job.
Height and placement
Side and rear fences in Cedar City can be up to 6 feet. Front-yard pickets are generally limited to 30 inches in the setback. Check your HOA too; some limit stain colors or require a finished side facing the street.
Pricing comes from the contractor after they've walked the line, checked the ground and the grade, counted gates and corners, and talked through materials. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone has seen the yard is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How often should a wood fence be sealed in Cedar City?
It depends on the product and how much sun the fence gets. Many owners reseal every few years; ask the contractor what the stain maker recommends.
Why do wood fence posts lean after winter?
Usually a shallow set, rot at the ground line, or water pooling around the post and freezing. Resetting posts deeper or switching to steel posts fixes most cases.
Related services
More background: Cedar City fence guide.
Open backyard, leaning posts or a gate frozen shut?
Call the number above and a fence contractor that works in Cedar City will look at the job and quote it directly.