Wood Privacy & Picket Fences in Asheville, NC
Built on site, board by board, for Buncombe and Henderson county yards — including the gate to match.
Wood is still the most common fence we build around Asheville, and it's the one that has to be built for the ground it sits on. Mountain lots roll, drop and hit rock, so we step or rack panels to follow grade instead of leaving gaps under the boards. Posts are set in concrete, rails are cut on site, and pickets go up one at a time.
Most homeowners come to us for six-foot privacy — dog-ear or board-on-board, sometimes with a lattice top for a little light. Others want a horizontal slat run for a modern build or a short picket around the front yard. A lot of these fences go up for one reason: the dog. If that's you, tell us the breed and whether he digs or jumps — we build wood fence pet-safe by default, which changes the height we recommend, the picket spacing, and how tight we run the bottom rail to the ground. Whatever the style, we hang a matching wood gate, and if you want it to open on its own we wire the operator too. Free estimates, in business here since 2006.
Our wood installs
Wood fences by style
Real Fence Scapes jobs, grouped so you can find the look you want.
Privacy — dog-ear & board-on-board
Six-foot solid boards. Board-on-board overlaps so there's no gap when the wood dries.
Horizontal slat
Modern look, wider boards run flat. Popular on new builds and around patios.
Lattice-top privacy
Solid boards below, lattice panel on top — height and privacy without a wall.
Picket
Three to four feet, front yards and gardens. Spaced pickets, flat or gothic tops.
Split rail & ranch rail
Two, three and four rail with woven wire mesh when it has to hold dogs or livestock. Also see Farm & Livestock →
Spec it out
Heights, materials & options
Heights
- 6 ft — standard privacy, most back yards
- 8 ft — where code and HOA allow, for slope or sound
- 4 ft — picket, front yards, dog runs
- 3–4 ft — split rail and ranch rail
- Stepped or racked panels to follow mountain grade
Styles & construction
- Dog-ear pickets — the classic privacy fence
- Board-on-board — overlapped, no gaps as wood dries
- Lattice-top — solid below, lattice panel above
- Horizontal slat — modern, wide boards run flat
- Picket — spaced, flat or gothic tops
- Posts set in concrete, rails and pickets cut on site
Options
- Matching wood gates — single, double, drive-through
- Gate operators on wood drive gates, wired by our crew
- Heavy hinges, drop rods and self-closing hardware
- Stain or seal, or leave it to weather gray
- Woven wire mesh added to rail fence for pets
- Pet-safe details — tight picket spacing, bottom rail run low, no dig gaps
- Post caps and trim board top
Straight answers
Wood fence questions
What drives the cost of a wood fence?
Linear footage first, then height, style and how hard the ground is. Board-on-board uses more wood than dog-ear. Slope, rock, tree roots and hauling material to a back yard with no gate access all add labor. Gates cost more per foot than fence, and an operator on a drive gate is its own line item. If you can tell us the rough length, the height and what the ground is like, we can usually give you a ballpark on the phone so you know what range you’re in. The firm number comes after we walk the property, and it comes in writing.
Do I need a permit, or HOA approval?
It depends on your jurisdiction and your neighborhood. Many Buncombe and Henderson county residential fences don't require a permit, but city limits, corner-lot sight lines, pool enclosures and HOA covenants all have rules — pool fencing in particular has code requirements on height, gaps and self-closing latches. We flag what we see during the estimate, and we'll tell you what your HOA will likely want to see. Getting HOA sign-off is the homeowner's step; we'll supply the drawing and spec.
How long is the lead time?
Varies with the season and the weather — spring and early summer are busiest and mountain rain moves schedules. We go over scheduling with you at the estimate and call before we show up.
Should I stain it, and how much maintenance is there?
Pressure-treated wood needs to dry out before it takes stain — usually a few months. After that, a stain or sealer every few years slows checking and keeps the color; if you'd rather not, the fence will weather to a silver-gray and still stand fine. Every year or two, check gate hardware and tighten hinges, and cut back vines. If you want the fence stained, tell us at the estimate and we'll talk timing.
Mark and his team built an amazing 8′ wood fence on my back property line. His pricing was very competitive, he was helpful in decisions and met my timeframe. His team were all professional and courteous as well as extremely skilled.
Not what you're after?
Other fence types
Every fence type has its own page, with our photos, specs and options.