Short answer: A horizontal cedar fence costs about $55–$90 per linear foot installed in Tacoma, roughly half again to double the price of a standard vertical cedar privacy fence. It holds up well in the Pacific Northwest when it is built for the style, with closer posts, thicker boards, and straight framing. Built like an ordinary fence turned sideways, it sags and warps, and every flaw shows.
That last part is why at least one Tacoma fence company has stopped building horizontal wood fences entirely. It is a fair concern. It is also a solvable one.
Why Horizontal Fences Are Harder to Build
On a vertical fence, each board is short and fastened top and bottom to rails. On a horizontal fence, each board runs the full distance from one post to the next with nothing supporting it in between. Wood is much weaker loaded that way, and three things follow:
- Sag. Over time, a board spanning a long bay droops in the middle. A thin board over an eight-foot span is the classic failure.
- Visible warping. Cedar moves as it wets and dries. On a vertical fence a slightly cupped board disappears among its neighbours. On a horizontal fence it breaks a long, straight line that your eye follows the whole length of the yard.
- Unforgiving framing. A post that is a little out of plumb, or set a half-inch high, is invisible on a vertical fence. On a horizontal fence it puts a kink in every board it touches.
What Makes a Horizontal Fence Last
1. Shorter spans between posts
The most effective fix is simply giving the boards less distance to cover. Around six feet on center is the common recommendation for horizontal fences, rather than the eight feet typical on vertical fences. It means more posts, which is a large part of why the style costs more.
2. Boards sized to the span
Board thickness and span go together. General guidance for wood horizontal fences:
| Board | Actual Thickness | Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| 1×6 | ¾ inch | Spans up to about 6 feet |
| 5/4×6 | 1 inch | Spans of about 6–8 feet |
| 2×6 | 1½ inches | Maximum rigidity, at a significantly higher material cost |
Source: Fence Advisors horizontal fence design guide. Actual requirements depend on species, board width, and exposure.
3. A mid-span support on longer bays
Where a bay has to be wider, a vertical stiffener fastened behind the boards at mid-span halves the distance each board spans. Done neatly, it is barely visible and removes most of the sag risk.
4. Straight, plumb posts
Because the framing shows, post setting is the job. Posts need to be plumb, in line, and at consistent height before a single board goes on. Galvanized steel posts help twice over here: they do not twist or rot at the soil line, and they stay straight. Our wood vs. steel fence post guide covers the trade-offs.
5. Fastening that holds the board flat
A board fastened at only one point per post is free to cup and twist. Two fasteners per board at every post, using coated or stainless screws that will not stain the cedar or loosen as the wood moves, keeps boards flat as they season.
6. Let it breathe and drain
In a climate where fences stay wet for months, airflow matters. A small gap between boards lets the wood dry evenly, and keeping the bottom board clear of soil stops it wicking moisture from the ground. A tight, gap-free horizontal fence gives more privacy but dries more slowly. Sealing every face, including the cut ends, slows the wet-dry cycling that drives warping; see how to protect a wood fence from PNW rain.
Wood, Vinyl, or Composite?
| Material | Installed Cost (Tacoma) | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal cedar | $55 – $90 per foot | Warm natural look; needs sound construction and periodic sealing |
| Vinyl | Typically at or above vinyl privacy pricing ($50 – $90 per foot) | Will not warp or rot; limited colours and a less natural finish |
| Composite | $70 – $120+ per foot | Wood-like appearance with no warping; the highest upfront cost |
Cedar and composite ranges are from our 2026 Tacoma fence cost guide. Final pricing depends on height, gates, slope, and site conditions.
If the look is the whole point and you never want to think about a board moving, vinyl or composite is the honest recommendation. If you want real wood, horizontal cedar is a good fence, as long as it is built to the standard above.
Does a Horizontal Fence Suit Your House?
Horizontal fences look their best alongside modern, contemporary, and mid-century homes, where they echo the long, low lines of the architecture. They have become especially common in Tacoma's North End and in University Place.
They are a harder fit on traditional craftsman and Victorian homes, where a vertical cedar or picket fence usually looks more at home. A mixed approach also works well: horizontal cedar panels framed by dark posts, with a metal gate as the focal point, like the fence pictured at the top of this post.
One practical bonus: most horizontal designs look finished from both sides, which avoids the question of who gets the "good side" on a shared property line.
Before You Build: HOAs, Pools, and Dogs
- HOA approval. Some associations restrict fence style as well as height and colour. Get horizontal designs approved in writing first; our HOA fence rules guide covers how.
- Pool barriers. Horizontal boards can act as a ladder for a child. Pool barrier codes restrict climbable horizontal members, so confirm requirements before choosing this style around a pool.
- Climbing dogs. The same ladder effect applies to agile dogs. Keeping the framing and any gaps on the inside face, or choosing tighter board spacing, reduces it; see our pet-friendly fencing guide.
- Permits. Style does not change permit rules, but height and location do. Check Tacoma and Pierce County fence permit rules before finalising the design.
Questions to Ask Any Contractor
- What post spacing will you use, and why?
- What board thickness, and is there a mid-span support on wider bays?
- Wood or steel posts, and how are they set?
- How many fasteners per board at each post, and what type?
- What gap between boards, and how much ground clearance at the bottom?
A contractor who answers those specifically has built horizontal fences before. One who quotes the same price per foot as a vertical fence probably intends to build it like one.
Get a Horizontal Fence Quote
We build horizontal cedar fences across Tacoma, University Place, and Pierce County, and we will tell you honestly if vinyl or composite would suit your yard better. Request a free estimate and we will walk the site, check the grade, and give you a written price.
