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Cedar & Wood Fence Installation in Tacoma
Western red cedar is the default fence material in the South Sound for good reason — and how it is built matters as much as the wood you choose.
Cedar in a Wet Climate
Western red cedar is native to this region and naturally contains oils that resist rot and insects. That is why it remains the standard fence material across Tacoma, Lakewood, and Puyallup even though it costs more than pressure-treated pine — it holds up in weather that destroys lesser wood.
But cedar alone does not make a fence last. The failure point on almost every wood fence we replace is the same: the posts. Wood posts set directly in soil wick moisture and rot at grade, usually within eight to twelve years here. The fence boards are often still fine when the whole run starts leaning.
That is why we recommend steel posts under cedar for most installs. You keep the look of a full cedar fence and remove the part most likely to fail. Our guide on wood vs. steel fence posts walks through the cost difference and when each makes sense.
Wood Fence Styles We Build
Cedar Privacy Fence
The standard six-foot solid cedar fence — boards butted edge to edge for full screening. The most common residential fence in Pierce County and the baseline everything else is compared against.
Board-on-Board
Overlapping vertical boards so no gap opens as the wood seasons and shrinks. Costs more in material than a standard privacy fence but stays fully private for its whole life and looks the same from both sides.
Horizontal Cedar
Boards run horizontally between posts for a clean, modern line. Very popular in Tacoma's North End and University Place. Demands straight, well-set posts and tight spacing — there is nowhere to hide sloppy framing on a horizontal fence.
Picket & Semi-Private
Spaced pickets at three to four feet for front yards, or spaced boards at full height where you want airflow and light rather than total screening. Also the right answer on windy exposed lots.
Wood Fence Cost in Tacoma
| Item | Estimated Cost (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Wood Privacy Fence (standard cedar) | $30 – $55 per linear foot |
| Horizontal Wood Fence | $55 – $90 per linear foot |
| Standard yard (100 ft cedar privacy) | $3,000 – $5,500 installed |
| Large yard (150 ft cedar privacy) | $4,500 – $8,250 installed |
| Front yard picket (60 ft, 4 ft tall) | $1,300 – $2,400 installed |
Installed 2026 ranges for Tacoma. Removing an old fence adds roughly $3–$8 per foot, stepped or racked panels on steep grade add $5–$15 per foot, and a full stain application typically runs $300–$600.
What Makes a Wood Fence Last Here
Posts are the failure point
Wood posts rot at ground level where wet soil meets air. Steel posts, properly sized concrete footings, and correct depth are what determine whether you get twelve years or thirty out of a cedar fence.
Ground clearance
Boards that touch soil or sit in standing water wick moisture up the grain and rot from the bottom. A deliberate gap at the bottom of the fence is not sloppiness — it is what keeps the pickets dry.
Seal it, and seal it on time
Cedar left bare will silver and last, but sealing meaningfully extends its life here. The window matters: new cedar needs to dry before it will accept sealer. Our wood fence maintenance guide covers the timing.
Let it acclimate
Cedar delivered wet and installed tight will shrink and open gaps. Accounting for movement at install is the difference between a fence that stays private and one that develops daylight between every board.
Cedar & Wood Fence Projects
Cedar privacy fence in Tacoma
Wood fence installation in a Tacoma backyard
Cedar fence and gate
Residential wood fence line
Cedar fence installed on a sloped Tacoma lot
Completed residential cedar fence
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cedar fence cost in Tacoma?
A standard six-foot cedar privacy fence runs $30–$55 per linear foot installed, which puts a typical 100-foot run at roughly $3,000–$5,500 on a straightforward site. Slope, old fence removal, and extra gates move that up.
How long does a cedar fence last in the Pacific Northwest?
With wood posts, commonly twelve to fifteen years before post rot forces a rebuild. With steel posts and good drainage, the cedar boards themselves often outlast that considerably. Posts, not pickets, set the lifespan.
Should I use cedar or pressure-treated wood?
Cedar for anything visible — it is more dimensionally stable, resists rot naturally, and looks far better as it ages. Pressure-treated is a reasonable choice for posts and rails where it will not be seen, though steel posts outperform both.
Is a horizontal fence more expensive than a standard privacy fence?
Yes, typically $55–$90 per linear foot versus $30–$55. Horizontal runs need closer post spacing and more precise framing, because any deviation shows immediately along a horizontal line.
When should I stain a new cedar fence?
Not immediately. New cedar usually holds too much moisture to accept sealer properly and needs to dry first. Staining too early traps moisture in the wood. Our wood fence maintenance guide covers how to test whether it is ready.
Can you build a cedar fence on a sloped yard?
Yes. Wood fence on slope is either stepped, where panels stay level and drop at each post, or racked, where the framing follows the grade. Which looks right depends on how steep the grade is. Steep sites add roughly $5–$15 per foot.
Get a Cedar Fence Quote
Free on-site estimate for cedar privacy, horizontal, board-on-board, and picket fencing.
- Western red cedar and composite options
- Steel post upgrades for a longer service life
- Privacy, horizontal, board-on-board, and picket
- Free written estimate, no obligation
- Licensed, insured, and warrantied workmanship
What Happens Next
Licensed & Insured • Local Team • Schedule-Friendly Installs
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