Privacy Fence Installation in San Antonio, TX
Six-foot wood privacy fences built for Bexar County clay, caliche, summer heat, and HOA rules. Cedar or pine pickets, side-by-side or board-on-board, steel or wood posts, and gates that latch right.
Your Backyard, Back to Yourself
Lots in many San Antonio subdivisions sit close together, and a good privacy fence is what turns a backyard into a room you actually use. A solid six-foot fence screens the view from neighbors and the street, keeps dogs and kids in, softens traffic noise from roads like Loop 1604 and Loop 410, and blocks some of the hot, dusty wind that dries out patios and flower beds.
You Picket Fence Co. builds privacy fences across San Antonio and nearby cities, including New Braunfels, Schertz, Helotes, and Alamo Ranch. Every fence starts with an on-site measurement and a written estimate, so you know exactly what you are getting before a single post hole is dug.
Privacy Fence Styles We Build
Side-by-side (standard privacy)
Pickets are installed edge to edge on one side of the rails. It is the most economical solid fence and a strong choice for long property lines. Expect small gaps to appear as the wood dries in the summer; that is normal shrinkage, not a defect.
Board-on-board
A second layer of pickets overlaps the seams of the first, so there is no line of sight even after the wood shrinks. It is the tightest privacy you can get from wood and looks finished from both sides. Learn more on our board-on-board fence page.
Shadowbox
Pickets alternate on opposite sides of the rails with a slight offset. Viewed straight on, the fence looks solid, but air passes through, which reduces wind load on the posts. Neighbors on both sides see a good-looking face.
Cap and trim
A horizontal cap board across the top and a trim board below it give a framed, custom look and help shed rain off the end grain of the pickets. It can be added to side-by-side or board-on-board fences.
Horizontal slat
Boards run sideways for a modern look that suits newer homes. Horizontal designs need closer post spacing or a stiffer frame so boards don’t sag, which we plan for in the layout.
Choosing Pickets, Posts, and Rails
Pickets. Most San Antonio privacy fences use either pressure-treated pine or cedar pickets. Pine costs less and takes stain well once it dries out. Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insects, stays straighter, and weathers to a silver gray if left unstained. We’ll show you both and explain the trade-offs honestly.
Rails. Our standard wood privacy fences use three pressure-treated 2×4 rails, which keeps pickets flat and reduces warping in the middle of each section compared with two-rail builds.
Posts. Posts are the part of a fence that fails first in Texas. We set posts 24–36 inches deep in concrete. You can choose pressure-treated wood posts or galvanized steel posts, which do not rot at the ground line and resist the seasonal push of expansive clay soil.
Fasteners and hardware. Exterior-rated fasteners resist rust stains and hold pickets tight. Gate hinges and latches are sized for the gate’s weight and width.
Finish. A penetrating stain and sealer slows UV graying, cupping, and cracking. Fresh pine usually needs to dry before it will accept stain well. See fence staining and sealing.
Soil, Heat, and Storms
Much of the San Antonio area sits on clay soils that swell when wet and shrink during drought, which can heave and loosen posts over time. North and west sides of town, closer to the Hill Country, often hit limestone and caliche just below the surface, which makes digging slower and sometimes requires rock bits or a different footing plan. We look at the ground on site and account for it in your estimate instead of surprising you mid-job.
Long, hot summers dry wood quickly, and spring thunderstorms bring gusty winds. Deep, properly concreted posts, three rails, good fasteners, and a sealed finish are what keep a fence standing straight through all of it.
HOA Rules and City Permits
City of San Antonio. The city’s Unified Development Code limits fence heights by yard. Six feet is the common maximum for side and rear yards, and solid fences in front yards are restricted to a lower height. A building permit is generally required for new fences and for larger replacements. Rules change, so we verify current requirements with the city for your property and tell you what applies.
Other cities. Schertz, New Braunfels, Helotes, Leon Valley, Converse, and Seguin each have their own codes and permit offices. Unincorporated Bexar County areas follow different rules again.
HOAs. Many master-planned neighborhoods require approval before you replace a fence and specify height, picket style, which side faces out, and stain color. Share your HOA guidelines and we will build the estimate to match them and supply the drawing and material details your architectural committee asks for.
Property lines and utilities. We recommend confirming property lines from your survey, and Texas 811 utility locates are requested before digging.
How We Build Your Privacy Fence
- Free on-site estimate. We measure every run, corner, slope, and gate opening and look at access and ground conditions.
- Written estimate. You get an itemized scope: materials, style, posts, gates, removal, and finish options.
- Approvals and scheduling. You handle HOA approval with our help; permits and utility locates are lined up; we lock in an install date.
- Tear-out and layout. The old fence is removed and hauled away if included, and the new line is strung and marked.
- Posts. Holes are dug 24–36 inches deep and posts are set plumb in concrete.
- Rails, pickets, and gates. Rails go on, pickets are hung straight and evenly spaced, and gates are framed to resist sag.
- Walkthrough and cleanup. We walk the finished fence with you, make adjustments, and clean the jobsite.
What Affects Privacy Fence Cost
We don’t publish a one-size price because every yard is different. These are the factors that move the number:
- Total linear footage and number of corners
- Pine vs. cedar pickets, and side-by-side vs. board-on-board
- Wood vs. galvanized steel posts
- Number and width of gates (walk gates vs. double drive gates)
- Cap and trim, or other upgrades
- Tear-out and haul-off of the existing fence
- Slopes, rock or caliche, tree roots, and access to the fence line
- Stain and sealer
For more detail, including published price ranges from local sources, read our fence cost guide.
PRIVACY FENCE FAQ
How tall can a privacy fence be in San Antonio?
Inside San Antonio city limits, six feet is the common maximum for side and rear yards, and solid front-yard fences are limited to a much lower height under the city’s Unified Development Code. Suburban cities and HOAs set their own limits, so we confirm the rule for your address before we build.
Do I need a permit for a privacy fence in San Antonio?
In most cases, yes. The City of San Antonio generally requires a permit for new fences and for replacements that exceed a set share of the existing fence length. Requirements change, so we check current Development Services rules for your address and tell you what applies before work starts.
Is board-on-board better than side-by-side?
Board-on-board overlaps the pickets so gaps do not open as the wood shrinks in summer heat. It uses more material, so it costs more than side-by-side, but it gives the most complete privacy. Side-by-side is a strong value on long runs.
Should I use metal posts or wood posts?
Galvanized steel posts resist rot and termites and hold up well in expansive clay. Pressure-treated wood posts cost less up front. We explain both options in your written estimate so you can choose.
How long does a privacy fence installation take?
It depends on the job. Small repairs can take about an hour, while full installs can take up to a few days. We'll give you a time estimate when we quote.
Can you match my HOA’s required fence style?
Yes. Send us your HOA’s fence guidelines or architectural approval form and we will build the estimate around the required height, picket style, finished-side orientation, and stain color.
Do you remove the old fence?
Yes. We can tear out and haul away the existing fence as a separate line item on your estimate.
How much does a privacy fence cost?
Cost depends on footage, picket type (pine or cedar), style, post type, gates, removal, and ground conditions. See our San Antonio fence cost guide for the factors, then call for a free written estimate.
RELATED FENCE SERVICES
REQUEST YOUR FREE FENCE ESTIMATE
Tell us what you need and we’ll measure, explain your options, and give you a clear written estimate.
Every estimate includes a Wisetack financing option (subject to approval); Afterpay is also available as a separate payment option. Full fence replacements include our 1-year craftsmanship warranty. Want a low-maintenance privacy fence? See FRAMEIT ALL composite fencing.
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