Wood Fencing Ventura, CA

What are the most common types of wood used for backyard fences?

The four most popular wood types for fencing are cedar, redwood, treated pine, and cypress. Cedar offers natural durability, attractiveness, and stability though is more expensive.

Redwood shares similar resilience to weather and insect damage. Treated pine is a moderately priced option for strength. Cypress works well in wet environments given its high moisture resistance.

What is the best wood for fence boards?

Cedar fence boards are regarded as the premium choice though redwood and cypress offer comparable quality as naturally weather-resistant woods that repel insects and last over 15-20 years.

Cedar’s appealing texture and orange-pink hue make it a popular aesthetic choice. It also has excellent dimensional stability so boards retain straight lines over long periods.

How long does a wood fence last?

On average, a wood fence has a lifespan between 15-30 years based on factors like wood type, building quality, maintenance and climate exposure before requiring replacement.

Top choices like cedar and redwood last 20-30 years, while cheaper soft woods may start deteriorating after 10-15 years. With proper preventative care, wood fences can last even longer.

What is the most private wood for a fence?

For maximum privacy, cedar and redwood fences provide complete seclusion and noise reduction thanks to the snug board-on-board designs which eliminate visibility and muffle sounds from adjoining properties or busy streets. The natural density of cedar and redwood limits unwanted peering. For boundary fences, a staggered wood pattern enhances privacy.

What maintenance is needed for wood fences?

We recommend periodically inspecting wood fences to spot minor issues before they worsen. Applying protective sealant every 2-3 years nourishes the wood while safeguarding against moisture, pests, mold and rotting.

Trimming overgrown vegetation near the fence improves airflow and longevity. Repairing sagging posts, damaged sections or faded aesthetics through refinishing restores the fence to original quality avoiding full replacements.

How much does it cost to stain a wood fence?

The average cost to stain an existing wood fence is $3-$7 per linear foot depending on if you do it yourself or hire professionals. DIY staining may cost $700 to stain 100 linear feet while contractors charge $1300-2500 for the same job including pressure washing, scraped repairs, adding two coating layers and materials. It’s safer and longer-lasting to hire fence staining contractors compared to renting equipment if inexperienced.

Should neighbor fences have a gap?

Building codes require a 1-6 inch gap between shared boundary fences to allow water drainage and prevent trapped moisture rotting the wood. The small gap also accounts for any width changes so fences don’t rub against each other.

To enhance privacy, alternating overlapping boards is an easy fix. While codes vary, most require 50/50 cost sharing between neighbors for boundary fences.

How far from property line can a fence be built?

Zoning laws prohibit constructing fences beyond your property boundaries without neighbor consent. Most allow fences up to 2 feet from the property line on either side.

Municipalities govern side yard fencing height and setback regulations restricting front-facing fences blocking street views beyond 3-4 feet tall. Knowing your city codes through permit applications prevents violating local laws.

Which side of a fence faces the neighbor?

Fence etiquette expects the most visually appealing side to face outward toward the street or adjoining properties rather than place an unfinished side toward neighbors.

Typically, fence frames face internally toward the homeowner while boards, decorative elements and gate latches face externally creating a good neighbor fence. This allows both parties to enjoy an attractive fence outlook.

Can I change materials or height on a shared fence?

Legally, both neighbors must provide written consent to alter jointly-owned boundary line fences if changes impact stability, spacing, or height on either side.

Unilateral modifications like switching materials or raising height without permission risks liability for any resulting damages from unwarranted construction. It also violates community codes requiring uniformity in shared fence lines.