Why Cedar Is Houston's Most Popular Fence Material
Western red cedar has been the dominant residential fence material in Houston for decades, and for good reasons that go beyond aesthetics. Western Red Cedar contains natural oils — primarily thujaplicins — that make it inherently resistant to rot, insects, and fungal decay. In Houston's humid climate, where cheaper pine fence pickets may begin showing rot at ground level within 5 to 7 years, cedar pickets generally outlast them, though actual lifespan varies significantly by site conditions. The difference compounds: cedar weathers more gracefully when left untreated and produces fewer splinters as it ages compared to pine.
We have installed thousands of western red cedar fences across Houston since 1979. The material has outlasted every trend and every alternative that emerged over those decades. Composite and vinyl have their place, but for the Houston homeowner who wants a natural-looking, cost-effective privacy fence with proven longevity, western red cedar remains the best choice. It is very important to note that Western Red Cedar is not the same and doesn't compare with Japanese or Imported Cedar. Imported Cedar will warp and will not last as long. When comparing quotes, make sure you are being quoted the same material and not a "cheaper" version.
Cedar Privacy Fence
The most popular wood fence in Houston — 6-ft cedar boards block noise, wind, and prying eyes year-round.
Board-on-Board
Overlapping pickets create a 100% solid fence with zero gaps from either side — perfect for complete privacy.
Treated Pine
Pressure-treated pine costs less upfront and handles Houston humidity well when properly maintained.
Good Neighbor Fence
Finished on both sides — looks great from your yard AND your neighbor's yard. Griffin's most-requested residential style.
1-Year Warranty
Every Griffin wood fence comes with a full 1-year workmanship warranty. Posts, rails, pickets — all covered.
Free Estimates
On-site quotes at no charge. We measure, we price, you decide. No pressure. Call 713-937-6611.
Western Red Cedar Styles We Install
Dog-Ear Single-Face
Houston's most popular, budget-friendly cedar fence style. Pickets face one side of the fence; the other side shows the posts and rails. A baseboard is recommended to keep pickets off the ground, and cap and trim are available as add-ons.
Double-Faced
The most elegant wood fence style Griffin Fence installs. Pickets are attached on both sides of the fence, fully concealing the post-and-rail structure between them. A baseboard, cap, and trim are recommended for the finished look. See our double-faced fence page for more.
Single-Faced with Metal Post
A longer-lasting version of the standard single-face fence, built with steel posts in place of wood. See our single-faced fence page for details.
Board-on-Board
The most private fencing setting available. A full-size board is placed over the gap between each pair of pickets after the fence is built, closing off any sightline. See our board-on-board privacy fence page for more.
Batten Board
The second-most private setting we offer. A narrower batten — about 2 inches wide — is placed between regular pickets to close gaps and add privacy. See our batten board fence page for details.
Good Neighbor
Sections of the fence alternate which side faces the pickets and which faces the structure, so the finished look is shared evenly between both properties along the fence line. See our good neighbor fence page for more.
Shadow Box
Pickets — not full sections — alternate sides of the fence, creating a fence with texture and partial visibility while still providing strong privacy. See our shadow box fence page for details.
Lattice Top
An in-house-built decorative add-on made from the same Western Red Cedar pickets as the rest of your fence, installed above the main fence line for extra height and visual interest.
White Picket Fence
A decorative style rather than a privacy or security fence — classic curb appeal for front yards and garden borders.
Horizontal Wood
A modern, clean-lined design with pickets run horizontally — staggered or aligned — in spans up to 16 feet. See our horizontal wood fence page for more.
Horizontal Wood and Iron
Our most modern and elegant option — a custom design combining iron posts (and sometimes iron structure) with horizontal wood pickets.
Hogwire Fence
Wire mesh fencing where spacing, gauge, and height are adjusted to the customer's needs. Primarily used to secure animals within a perimeter.
Cattle Fence
Built to keep cattle contained within a perimeter, and sometimes used as a decorative element as well. See our cattle fence page for details.
Brick Columns and Wood
A multi-trade, multi-step fence combining masonry columns with wood fence sections — Griffin Fence handles every trade involved in this build.
Privacy Fence
Not every privacy fence separates a property from its neighbors — some structures divide different areas within the same property, such as a fence separating a firepit area from a pool area. See our privacy fence page for more.
Iron Fence with Wood Pickets
Structurally an iron fence, with wood pickets added for extra privacy. The frame and posts are iron; the wood is a decorative and functional addition.
What Sets Griffin Fence Apart for Cedar Installation
We use 1⅞" screw shank aluminum nails for pickets — this is to prevent rust drips — and hot-dip galvanized screw shank nails for structural components. This is the kind of detail that is invisible in a quote but visible in the result over time. We set posts 24 to 36 inches deep in our heavy clay soil, we use Pressure Treated Ground Contact Pine for structural components, and we provide a written estimate that specifies every material before work begins. Visit our wood fence page to see the full range of cedar styles we offer, or call 713-937-6611.
Key Takeaways: Western Red Cedar Fence Installation in Houston, TX
- Cedar's natural oils make it significantly more rot-resistant than pine in Houston's humid climate
- Residential cedar fences under 8 feet do not require a City of Houston building permit
- Aluminum nails on pickets and hot-dip galvanized nails on structural components prevent rust stains in Houston humidity
- Griffin Fence has installed cedar fences across Houston since 1979
Cedar Fence Installation FAQ
How long does a cedar fence last in Houston, TX?
It depends on several factors: the material used, how it was treated before installation, ground exposure (a fence on bare ground typically outlasts one surrounded by mulch or dense landscaping), total rainfall exposure over the life of the fence, and whether a baseboard protects the pickets from direct ground contact. Historically, wood fences could easily last 10 to 15 years. Today, most wood fences in Houston last closer to 10 to 12 years.
Can cedar be installed as a pool fence?
Yes. Cedar privacy fence built to a minimum 48-inch height meets pool barrier requirements in most Houston jurisdictions. The fence must have no handholds or footholds below 45 inches that a child could use to climb over, and gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch positioned at least 54 inches above ground level, and the gate must swing outward, away from the pool. Consult your municipality for specific pool fence Houston, TX code requirements.
What is the difference between western red cedar and pine fence boards?
Western Red Cedar contains natural oils that inhibit rot, fungi, and insects. Pine is more susceptible to moisture-driven decay, especially at ground contact points. In Houston's humid climate, cedar pickets outlast pine pickets by 5 to 8 years under similar conditions. The cost premium for cedar over pine is typically modest and pays for itself in reduced replacement frequency.
Do you install horizontal cedar fences in Houston, TX?
Yes. Horizontal cedar is one of our more requested styles in Houston's Heights, Montrose, and newer master-planned communities. We take extra care with board spacing on horizontal installations to prevent moisture trapping. Call 713-937-6611 to discuss your project.
