Horizontal Cedar Fence on a Rock Wall
This backyard fence runs on horizontal cedar boards along the top of a boulder retaining wall, with a band of thin slats at the top that lets light through above eye level. A matching horizontal cedar gate closes the side of the house. The wood is left unstained, so the natural grain and color of the cedar show along the whole run.
- Service
- Fence remodel
- Style
- Horizontal board privacy fence with a slatted top band
- Scope
- Fence along a boulder retaining wall, matching side gate
- Materials
- Unstained cedar boards, slats and posts
- Contractor
- Volcano Builders, WA license VOLCABI792C6
The finished fence
How this horizontal cedar fence came together
The goal
The back of this lot is edged by a wall of large boulders, with tall evergreens beyond it and new planting beds and a round patio in front. The yard needed a privacy fence along that edge that would sit comfortably next to the rock and the trees, and a gate at the side of the house in the same style.
The challenge
A fence on top of a rock wall has no flat ground to follow. The boulders rise and fall along the line, and the boards above them still have to run straight and level from post to post. The run is also long, so any drift in the horizontal lines would show from the patio.
The solution
The photos show posts set along the wall line and horizontal cedar boards fixed between them in long, straight courses. Above the solid boards a band of thin horizontal slats with small gaps finishes the top, which keeps the fence from feeling heavy next to the trees. A drip irrigation line runs along the base of the fence on the wall. The side gate repeats the same horizontal boards and the same slatted top, framed between a cedar post and the house.
The result
The fence and gate read as one design from the back corner of the yard to the side of the house. Left unstained, the cedar shows its full range of color, from pale tan to warm red, and the straight horizontal lines contrast with the rough boulders below.
Related pages
- Fence Installation in SeattleOur fence service: wood privacy fences, gates and remodels.
- Remodeling Pricing Guide for Seattle and Bellevue, WAWhat drives the price of a remodel, fences included.
- Cedar Fence Remodel in Seattle, WACedar fencing stepped along stone walls around a side yard patio.
- Backyard Cedar Privacy FenceA long flat-top cedar fence around a large lawn.
- Side Yard Wood Fence and GateA new wood gate and fence panel in Redmond.
Questions about this project
Why choose horizontal boards for a cedar fence?
Horizontal boards give long, unbroken lines that suit a modern house or a natural setting like this one. Here the boards run in straight courses between the posts, and a slatted band at the top lightens the look while the lower boards keep the yard private.
Can a fence be built on top of a retaining wall?
Yes, as this one is. Height rules then count the wall too. In Seattle, for example, where a wall raises the yard the wall and fence together may not exceed 9 feet 6 inches, and a retaining wall taller than 4 feet needs its own permit. Your city may differ, so we check the local rules at the site visit.
Does unstained cedar need any care?
Cedar can be left to weather naturally, as this fence was when the photos were taken, and over time it turns a silver gray. If you prefer to keep the warm color, a stain or sealer can be added later. We talk through both options before the job is priced.
How do I get a price for a horizontal cedar fence?
Book a consultation. We walk the fence line, measure it, note any walls, slope and gates, then send a written, itemized price before work starts. For background, read the Remodeling Pricing Guide for Seattle and Bellevue, WA.
Before you book
- Remodeling Reviews in Seattle and Bellevue, WAWhat homeowners say about working with us, in their own words.
- Home Renovation Financing in SeattleHow remodeling financing works, and the application.
- Home Remodeling Warranty in WashingtonHow our warranty protects the work once it is finished.
- Referral Program for Volcano Builders in Seattle and Bellevue, WARefer a friend who is planning a remodel and choose your reward.
- Choosing the Right Fence: Types, Costs, and LongevityFrom our blog.
- Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Fencing ContractorFrom our blog.
Book your fence consultation
Four quick steps. Tell us about your project and we’ll reach out to discuss it and see if we’re the right fit.