Wood Privacy Fence Installation
Pine and cedar privacy fences in the styles Charlotte homeowners and HOAs ask for most, built to handle humidity, clay and summer storms.
A 6-foot wood privacy fence is the most common fence we build in Charlotte. Pressure-treated pine is the budget-friendly choice and takes stain well once dry; cedar costs more but resists warping and looks richer. Use ground-contact rated posts, set below the frost line, with a gap between pickets and soil.
Styles we build
- Dog-ear: the classic subdivision fence; economical and HOA-friendly. See dog-ear vs. flat-top pickets.
- Shadowbox: alternating pickets on both sides of the rail, so it looks good from both yards. See shadowbox fences.
- Board-on-board: overlapping pickets for full privacy with no gaps after shrinkage. See board-on-board.
- Capped and trimmed: a top cap and trim board for a finished, furniture-like look common in Myers Park and Cotswold.
- Horizontal: see horizontal slat fences.
Built for Charlotte conditions
Posts. We use ground-contact pressure-treated posts and set them in concrete below the frost line, crowning the concrete so water runs away. In dense red clay that matters, because clay holds water against the post.
Clearance. Pickets stop a couple of inches above grade so they’re not wicking moisture from soil and mulch.
Rails and fasteners. Three rails on 6-foot fences and corrosion-resistant fasteners, so boards stay put through humid summers.
Gates. Steel anti-sag frames or adjustable cable kits on wider wood gates, and heavy hinges.
Rules to check first
- Height limits under the UDO and the 6-foot building permit threshold. See Charlotte fence height limits.
- A CDOT Fence and Wall Certificate if the fence is near a city street or sidewalk.
- HOA rules on style, color and finished side.
- Historic District Commission review in local historic districts.
Care
Let new pine dry before staining, then plan to restain every few years. See When to stain a new pine fence and our staining service.
Questions Charlotte homeowners ask
Pine or cedar for a Charlotte privacy fence?
Pine is stronger and cheaper but moves more as it dries and needs regular stain. Cedar is lighter, more stable and naturally rot-resistant. Many people choose pine posts and rails with cedar pickets as a middle path.
How tall can a wood privacy fence be?
Generally up to 6 feet in side yards and up to 8 feet in an established rear yard, with a building permit for anything over 6 feet. Front-yard limits are lower. See our height limits guide.
How long will it last?
With good posts, drainage and regular staining, a wood privacy fence commonly lasts 12 to 20 years in Charlotte. Shade, constant soil contact and skipped maintenance shorten that.
Reviewed by the 76 Fence Charlotte installation team. Updated November 2, 2026. Charlotte rules change, so confirm permits, CDOT, historic district and HOA requirements before you build. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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We check the line, the rules and the ground, then send a clear written quote. No dispatch fee.