How To Easily Build Horizontal Cedar Privacy Fence

👉🏻 Tool links below 👇🏻
If you want the modern look of horizontal cedar privacy fence, it's easy to achieve. Today we'll walk you through step-by-step how to easily build a DIY horizontal cedar privacy fence.
Tools:
Steel Fence Posts: bit.ly/SWISteelFencePosts
Rhino Post Pounders: bit.ly/Rhino_pounders
Magnum Nail Gun: bit.ly/swimagnum
15-degree Ring Shank Nails: bit.ly/15degringshank
Merch!
SWI Hats & Shirts: bit.ly/SWImerch
SWI Work Gloves: bit.ly/SWIgloves
Contents:
00:00 - Setup
01:33 - Posts
05:08 - Style 1
07:36 - Style 2
09:30 - Trimming Out

[@mystreteacher]

Just completed my first 24' horizontal run today. Building the fence is a lot nicer than post hole digging. The fence is 4' high. I wrnt with 8 pickets and a quarter inch gap using a wooden paint stirrer for my guide. Looks really good.

[@OU8Aspark]

The Air Gap makes the fence look beautiful!

[@jaredrobinson3019]

Thanks so much for this! I have been building fence a long time and have never done a horizontal wood fence so this was super helpful for me as I’m bidding one right now. 😃 Also, never knew that about why the black lines in the cedar wood. Switching to stainless now.

[@lizzieintx]

Great video. Everything is explained well and it's great that it's unedited; makes it more entertaining as well.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks so much for those kind words!

[@gailarnold2660]

Thanks for this video. we needed this right now. I love lots of words and explanations in videos and appreciate the content in this video.

[@George-fh9zm]

I saw a horizontal fence today. What a great look. Then I found your video. Thank you!

[@SWiFence]

You are so welcome!

[@MrChewy63]

Great video…I constructed my horizontal Cedar years ago to cover a chain link fence. I used the metal grooved posts to set the cedar in it…perfect. Love the horizontal look over vertical all day. Thanks again for the tip using the tape measure as a guide…genius

[@RebeccaSolares]

Thank you! All of your videos are clear and concise. I’m in over my head, but gonna do it anyway. 🤞

[@SWiFence]

You can do it!

[@gsp4prez]

Just think safety and you’ll do fine.

[@MyBeautifulHealth]

Safety third!

[@missannie8012]

Thank you! I will have to cement mine in. But I love the design.

[@LittleNissanFrontier]

Awesome video, I actually went out and purchased an electric Pile Hammer after seeing this. No more digging for this old man....lol

[@club4ghz]

I copy paste this fence into my backyard with the top finish board. Looks good after staining.

[@tamarathompsonmoore3294]

What an informative video and inspiring, too. I’d be the first of my neighbors to add a privacy fence but hopefully the beauty of the horizontal look wins them over.

[@motorcyclezeal4813]

Did you put up a fence?

[@EngineeredMojo]

I plan to tackle this project in next few days, seems easy enough to do solo with a bit of shoring. Wish me luck!

[@SWiFence]

You can do it!

[@chewar7537]

I did my fence like this. Everyone loves it!!!

[@SWiFence]

Awesome!

[@ryanj3641]

Im so glad I found your channel, Ive been building decks and fences for a little over 3 years. I live on an island north of Seattle, Wa. and haven't seen anyone use those Postmaster posts, even though they seem like a much better solution then sinking P.T 4x4's in the ground. have you guys done a cost breakdown on time and material between the two? also I wanted to say I've built 2 horizontal fences so far and I'm totally sold on the way you guys build yours over the way I build mine. I look forward to binge watching your videos when I get the chance..

[@barnyardbrio7597]

It's fun watching other people work. Especially building a fence. Thank You!

[@SWiFence]

Plenty more of that on this channel!

[@christopherwilliams5775]

Thank you guys so much! I learned and enjoyed learning; Thank you for making it fun! God bless everyone involved!

[@SWiFence]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JokerMansBeats]

Very nice. Always thought about doing this but could never visualize.

[@chancelloribberson8800]

love the channle very informative but I really enjoy the style in which its presented the light heartedness and the jokularity that's proved makeit very entertaing keep the videos coming.

[@driveman6490]

"Today we're going to show you how to build a 6 foot tall horizontal cedar" Proceeds to build a 5 foot tall fence.

[@SWiFence]

Thanks for noticing 😉

[@brohammer]

😆😆

[@thelostone6981]

What? No! These dudes are 7 feet tall. 😂😂

[@chuntayejordan5130]

Thank you for your easy to follow instructions! I like the look of the post tho.

[@DavidHislop]

Fast and to the point. Great vid! Question - I have a 4ft estate block retaining wall I need to build a fence on top (about ~1ft from the wall). Would you recommend treated doug fir in concrete or these postmaster posts? With the postmaster, I would just be worried that if the wall ever shifts, that would compromise the integrity of the postmaster posts before wood in concrete. Thanks for any input!

[@SWiFence]

If the wall ever shifted severely it would compromise a wood post as well. I’m a believer in post masters. 👍🏻

[@zzz-o4y]

Great video!

[@chgolou]

Awesome!!

[@fkerley99]

Love this

[@abl6965]

😂 I’m that guy down the street, designed and built my own horizontal fence when no one in my neighborhood had one, now their becoming more popular and popping up everywhere, so i must have done something right, all cedar and stainless steel screws and metal post, still solid and beautiful well worth the sore back

[@Cryocide13]

If you want to skip the nailing phase and don't need to look at fancy finished ends, get some 4x4's and use a table saw to cut a 1-1/2" deep, 1" wide groove down the entire length of two opposing sides. Set your posts so that the grooved sides are facing in the direction the fence is going to run. Depending on what your budget or visual preferences are, you can space the posts apart at the proper distance to accept whatever length board/plank you want to use. Once you have the posts in place, slide each plank down from the top into the grooves, and keep doing that. You can keep the posts extending higher by a foot in case you want to install something later or maybe make the fence taller. The great thing is, you can add/remove planks and use varying widths and styles to get exactly the look and the height you want. If the city inspector comes along and says the fence is 12" higher than allowed, simply remove a few planks planks until you're at the legal height. Doesn't get much more simple than that. Alternatively, if you don't have a table saw to groove the posts, you can fasten two strips of wood onto opposing sides and leave a 1" space to accept and hold the planks in place. You can also put a screw on the top board to ensure the planks can't be lifted out easily, or install a top strip along each section to create a fancier look .

[@lindapea2535]

Cool!

[@nickgrubisich6367]

I was thinking of doing this, but I want a small gap between horizontal planks, maybe about 1/2”. I haven’t been able to think of a good idea for spacers. I was thinking maybe to use pocket screws. Any thoughts?

[@JohnTurner313]

@@nickgrubisich6367 Why not use one of the pickets? Or a section of one? That's 5/8" right there.

[@patty109109]

@@nickgrubisich6367 I did what he describes on my deck for a single privacy fence. I used a router, as table sawing large grooves in even slightly warped wood is not enjoyable or time efficient. I separated the boards by getting a spacer for consistency, drilling a tiny pilot hole on each side, and hammering in small galvanized nails. These hold the board above the next one and are mostly hidden on the ends, in the groove. Honestly it’s a lot of work for an entire fence and I bet would take a huge amount of time. It looks amazing on my deck, however. These 4x4 are prone to drying and bending and I’d wonder if removing more wood as described, over an entire fence line, would exacerbate that. If you did it with 6x6 or 6x4 you would have a cool looking fence.

[@MilosStevanovic1]

I will be doing horizontal fence in my backyard this spring but I am concerned about 5/8 being a bit too thin, maybe go for 1inch instead.

[@bugume]

remind me of my buddies in SD. Nice job amigo

[@susandudley171]

Great Video

[@georgejohnson3654]

Been building fences for decades and this guy knows what he's doing. Excellent craftsmanship. *Post depths vary depending on your area.

[@albertomartincruz8121]

Great video man, thank you!

[@SWiFence]

My pleasure!

[@AD-zy5gr]

Great job!

[@SWiFence]

Thanks!

[@leelunk8235]

THIS GUY HAS TAUGHT ME MORE ON KZbin IN TWO VIDEOS THAN MY 18 YRS OF SCHOOL

[@notateacher1134]

I don’t know anything about anything. After watching so many videos, this video simplified this whole process so much more than anyone else I saw. Thank you for this video. I forgot about even trying to dig a post, I almost planned to buy 4X4 wood posts and a router machine to make slits for the panels. Y’all are great!!!

[@SWiFence]

Great to hear! Thanks for the kind words! 👍🏻

[@beencraftn6612]

@@SWiFence You are a true craftsman!! This is my second video that I am watching and im glad I found your youtube page! Subscribed! Thanks for the videos and awesome tips!

[@eleazarsalas5425]

Game changer 👍

[@Hypnoglasscom]

How do you affix the vertical trim piece on the inside of the "hat"without hitting the metal flanges? I saw you used a pneumatic nailer which is uber fast if ya don't end up hitting the metal. Thank you for the video!

[@miamitreasurehunter]

Amazing. Thanks!!!

[@SWiFence]

You're welcome, Kelly!

[@dbarker79]

Man, I love ur videos! Fun, super informative, and just plain awesome. About to do my own privacy horizontal screen/fence around my patio. Never built my own fence b4, but u guys are building my confidence to do so. Oh, and greetings from SC!

[@SWiFence]

Go for it! You got this. 💪🏻💪🏻

[@nimajnebrm]

Great quality video... makes me want to build a fence this weekend!

[@SicanguLakota4rmSouthDakota]

I never built a fence in my life. But want to put one up around our one acre land and im glad i came across your video because now im doing a horizontal fence but what do you suggest we live out in open land here in South Dakota and we have no wind break or no hills to hide us from the elements of winter so do i do that spacing between? Because the wind gets pretty strong here also im going to have to spray the wood with something to protect it against weather.

[@nelsonpd]

Great video, thanks! Helped me build an amazing fence! Questions on putting 2x4s on backside : 1) how necessary is this? 2) do the 2x4s hang a bit or should they be dug into the ground a little bit?

[@SWiFence]

The 2x2 on the back is to keep the pickets from bowing, twisting, and warping over time. I'd say it's pretty essential--not for the short term--but for keeping things looking nice in the long run. And no, they only run the length of the pickets, not into the ground. 👍🏻

[@rogeliovelasquez9094]

Nice corral..

[@c0pyimitati0n]

I wonder what the price difference is for this vs slipfence vs a traditional privacy fence

[@derekwunder865]

If I am using composite planks should I still brace half way in between the posts or would composite resist warping more than regular wood? Great video and channel in general!

[@danielalviter2728]

Great video. I think I’m ready to built a horizontal fence. Texas

[@SWiFence]

YES!! 💪🏻💪🏻

[@OSCARFERNANDEZ-pg6vu]

Awesome!!! 👍👍

[@SWiFence]

Thanks! 👍

[@freedomhigh2160]

Great job, I like the product and the skilled people who are doing this, much appreciated !

[@SWiFence]

Appreciate those words. 👍🏻

[@dbarker79]

And i just subbed! Thanx again 👏👏👏👏

[@SWiFence]

Welcome!

[@betsyanderson234]

Great video and very informative, thank you! I would like to build a fence like this to enclose my side yard. Do you have additional videos that detail how to finish off the corners or how to add a gate?

[@SWiFence]

Corners: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoWyZJykqZKfhdE Gate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbGkoWXedVjeZI A couple more builds it might be helpful to see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJuwiqWQhbh3mNU kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWTGd5Smo6Zqo68

[@dougmonte4965]

I’m sold.

[@jjcastleberry3662]

I like to see a video of you using those metal posts in a residential gate (wood).

[@OscarHernandez-sp8mw]

Will a center stay be enough for boards that are 7.5ft long or would I need more support than that to help with warping? Thanks!

[@KLondike5]

My idea for the bottom of those spots is to just trim it out by dropping a decorative landscape stone that has a hollow in it before the boards or just recycle some old bricks around them

[@nelsdawg1]

Thanks for the video. I used this one and the one where you built a fence over concrete as my 2 sources to complete my fence between the garage and house this week. It took me a little bit longer than 11 minutes compared to your video😂.

[@SWiFence]

Excellent! Yeah, sorry, 11 min is the pro time. 😜😂

[@kurtrindgen4708]

Like the gapped one better. Have a decaying cedar fence that needs to be replaced and this gives me ideas.

[@SWiFence]

Nice!

[@gabinogarcia9913]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 very nice my man

[@SWiFence]

Appreciate it!!

[@leyilin535]

Thanks for this. Can you secure the pickets directly to the post ? Are they too thin for that ?

[@lindapea2535]

Thank you for your information; looking forward to building my own!

[@westcoastkhmer]

Thanks to that one guy

[@SWiFence]

Right?!

[@nimajnebrm]

3:30 Nice tip!

[@nmonkspade]

Great video! What if the ground isn't level, which probably happens pretty often. Do you keep the same height off the ground, or level the top of the fence and adjust the height of the posts? You would notice wavy fence lines a lot more with a horizontal fence.

[@SWiFence]

An excellent question. People prefer different looks. If you've got gentle changes in the ground you can get away with a dead-level fence--you'll just end up with gaps of varying size underneath. If you've got more severe changes in the ground we try to flow with the ground, but smooth out what it's doing. That way you keep to the flow of the ground, but the fence flows more smoothly in it's changes.

[@banjavka]

Tips for keeping the post level when driving/pounding into the ground?

[@Loadedgoods]

@6:45 Don't nail your tape LOL sounds like he's done it Hahaha. I found that funny. Nice job I think we should try those post masters out for wood the pole idea i don't really like

[@stevenagustin7238]

Tongue and groove wood prevent gaps when it shrinks

[@lovinglibra69]

This was the best demonstration for these post, yet! I just subscribed!

[@ryangroat7724]

Nice work gentleman. I appreciate all the work into the videos, they are a huge help. What's your nail gun recommended for 500+ foot wood fence installation?

[@SWiFence]

Definitely the magnum nail gun (we sell it, but we also use it). Magnum Nail Gun: bit.ly/swimagnum 15-degree Ring Shank Nails: bit.ly/15degringshank

[@ryangroat7724]

@@SWiFence Ok thanks for the response. Why the coil nailer over a strip nailer? Cost of nails? Less reloads? Just curious about your perspective

[@SWiFence]

It really just comes down to personal preference. 👍🏻

[@ryangroat7724]

@@SWiFence Ok thanks for the message. I'm milling all of my lumber from trees arborist we're going to burn. I got 20 4x4x8's from one log. This will be the first fence I've ever put in. Your videos are clear, concise and informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge it helps since most people are full of it. I'll send a photo over of it when I'm done. Thanks for the inspiration brother 👊🏼

[@efflux]

Great info in this video.. I'm tackling the exact thing this weekend. Does that ripped 2x4 nailer need to be pressure treated?

[@SWiFence]

Not if you're using cedar.

[@efflux]

@@SWiFence Ok great, thank you!

[@johngaspar4425]

I see in my area I see them weaving the horizontal boards in the middle between the posts. Is that ok too and do you have a videos on that way? So what do you do just stick a 2*4 or so weaving and nailing it. Does that shorten the standard boards or is it a negligible shortening of the boards?

[@jc3056]

Thanks for the videos.. what is standard, having the flush edge facing your yard or facing your neighbors yard?

[@SWiFence]

The smoothest side faces in to your yard.

[@overheadpath6896]

Do you have of this version but with a gate? Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

[@SWiFence]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbGkoWXedVjeZI

[@thetalkingtelepath]

Every time I watch a fence video, I learned something new like I didn’t know if they didn’t use stainless steel it would make the fence look darker.

[@josephorduno5421]

Thanks quick question how would you add the middle piece behind the fence to hold the pickets together if you have no access since they wanna get it as close as possible to the neighbors fence

[@SWiFence]

Feed it down from the top. Have someone hold the top and someone hold the bottom while you shoot the nails.

[@ciaoleo76]

great video! I like to use those cedar as house skirting, have you done that before?

[@SWiFence]

We haven't--but that doesn't mean it can't be done. 👍🏻

[@11alexstreet]

Thank you!! Using this as my instructional video as I attempt this build this month. Question - you have this at 60.5”, but you said in the video you are building to 6’, Wouldnt this fence be 5’ since you are going to 60.5” instead of 72”? Thanks!!!

[@SWiFence]

You totally caught that. I said one thing and then built another and never corrected it in the video. 👍🏻

[@ramonrodriguez3755]

I can't find anything over 7.5 feet. I want to build a 6' horizontal fence. Would it not be advisable to dig a 18 hole with concrete? I live in the north west for a wind reference. Thanks

[@gogadgo]

Please tell me about the nails and nail gun used

[@fake734]

For more privacy. Overlap the top board 5]8" over the board below it.

[@josephfra2456]

You're a freak. Your sidekick is pretty amusing too. Great video, and you put a little personality in as well. I hope Postmaster is paying you well. You're selling a lot of posts for them. I'm planning to reproduce your fence, no gap, and put corrugated metal on the bottom 1/3. Do you see any problem with how the two wood/metal would wear over time? Glad I stumbled on your channel. 🍻

[@SWiFence]

It'll be awesome. 👍🏻💪🏻 You could probably expect to see the wood pickets dry out (shrink) in width just a little bit based on your climate or area. I don't see any major red flags though.

[@SWiFence]

Also, don't forget to keep the cedar stained. That way they'll both last a good long time.

[@andyfischer4302]

I am just about to do a fence in my front yard, can I do an 8' span if it's only going to be 3' tall? I would use the vertical boards at 4' to keep it from sagging. Will that work or would it still be too much weight? Thanks for your video!

[@SWiFence]

You could probably do 8'. Wouldn't do any more than that.

[@linho6366]

Could you do 8ft centers if there was a middle brace with a 2x4 in between?

[@SWiFence]

You could probably do 8' with this method. Wouldn't do any more than that. Don't know that you need the extra 2x4.

[@a4turboss]

How would you make this board and batten. I assume just on the first example or style 1 on the front side you would add a picket to close the gaps? While on the back side you would still name on the back side the support halfway.

[@SWiFence]

Yep, go with example 1 and make sure to use a nailer behind your batten.

[@joebill8960]

Thank you for your great fencing videos. Always educational and entertaining! In the PostMaster instructions it talks about Post Clips for the corners. Are these really needed?

[@SWiFence]

No, we never use them.

[@chargermopar]

I never knew that pallet style lobster crate fences were a thing. Personally the fence I like best is heavy duty used chain link with a hedge. Never needs replacement unless hit by a car or a hurricane.

[@ghostridergale]

I have a similar idea for a fence, except do away with the fence and grow the green giants arborvitae that I believe grow up to 80 ft tall and 10 ft wide. Long as you got a lot of property that loosing 10 ft of yard or field won’t bother you? But if you have a hill on your property and don’t want your neighbors seeing you or having to see them from the upper side of the property. Then you need something with some serious height to block everything and everyone out! Which even a 8 ft fence wouldn’t come close to doing the job for my property! But you do have to wait a while for those green giants to grow to the height your looking for and the first year or two they won’t grow very much at all. After that though if there’s in descent soil and fertilizer properly they’ll take off and can grow a couple feet or so every year. Unfortunately my property all clay soil so it’s not ideal for green giants that prefer a good draining soil. So for now I’m working on adding my chicken waste bedding as a mulch and making a mound along where I want the plants at and hoping that will give me the drainage the plants will need at some point? Least the soil should be good and rich with the chicken poo waste composting in the bedding! Definitely need patience for a project like this though, it’s going to take many years to finish the project! Thankfully I can already see it finished in my mind’s eye! LOL

[@justin-time1479]

would having no air gap cause issues with the wood expanding?

[@travisdudley5984]

Love this video and I'm now really tempted to make an investment. How do you make a turn?

[@SWiFence]

We're actually shooting a video today on how to do this! It's pretty simple. Just nail to the next edge of your 2x2 nail strip (in other words: around the corner) and trim it out over the top. Postmaster also sells official corner posts so you can go that route, but we've not found them necessary.

[@austintielke4513]

Were the 2x4's made of cedar? Or, a different wood species? Great series of videos!

[@SWiFence]

The 2x4's were cedar as well. 👍🏻

[@joecasillas5388]

My front yard is curved how do i go about installing my 4x4 post for this fence?

[@woodman1701]

Hey when you guys dig to use concrete do you ever use a gas powered auger? Or just hand dig (when not using a bobcat?)

[@SWiFence]

We'll sometimes use the small ride-behind bobcat, our MT85, but we don't have any gas-powered augers. It's either bobcats or sweat. 😄

[@c0pyimitati0n]

How far should the posts be driven for a 6' fence? Should they go 3' in the ground like a traditional wooden post?

[@SWiFence]

Yep--we do 36". 👍🏻

[@KevinJMireles]

we're building a horizontal fence with treated pine and trying to decide whether should do 6 or 8 foot lengths. Any thoughts on whether 8 feet is too long and will warp or whether should be okay as long as we add a center support/plank in the middle? Also will the steel work in softer soils like we have here in Columbus? Great video! Thanks! Kev

[@SWiFence]

It's always going to warp no matter what--it's just a question of how much. It's a personal call, but you also have to factor in wind load, and height of the fence. If your soil is softer than normal that's a factor too. Yes, steel should work in softer soil: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5ScY6asq6iFfNE

[@KevinJMireles]

Thanks! Very helpful

[@mram7715]

Is there a need to stain protect these pickets? Thanks. Great vid

[@SWiFence]

Yes. Cedar holds up much better than the other woods out there--but it is still guaranteed to split, crack, and warp over time. Always stain the fence.

[@luismoran5244]

very valuable information, a question what kind of gun do you use what is the brand I need one than k you

[@SWiFence]

We use the same thing we sell. 👍🏻 Magnum Nail Gun: bit.ly/swimagnum 15-degree Ring Shank Nails: bit.ly/15degringshank

[@AyannaOr]

I want to build a horiztonal fnce, but i need this to all the way to the ground to keep my animals inside. Can i put this all the way to the ground? also, in order for the front to look like the back, do we just follow the pattern on how we place the pickets then?

[@candy1974309]

I added a rock flowerbed using small pebbles using like rock max binder or glue to bind it

[@annabuilta8616]

Can you demonstrate how to do the corner sections?

[@SWiFence]

You mean like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoWyZJykqZKfhdE

[@elijahiaea424]

If I have rocky ground and not able to directly drive the post and need to dig, do I have to set it in concrete? And if I’m making a 5’ high fence do I burry them 4’?

[@SWiFence]

Yes, for sure. If you're not able to drive them and you have to dig you would need to use concrete. You could use a 7'6" Postmaster and set it in 3' or 2' 6".

[@Reef_SD]

What type and size stainless screws did you use to secure 2x2 to posts?

[@SWiFence]

1 5/8"

[@PigskinJourneyman]

What do you guys use to cover up the posts when going with standard 6ft fence? (My assumption is a picket without the dog ears cut off won't look good)

[@SWiFence]

Typically just a picket. We either cut the dog ears off or flip the dog ears to the bottom.

[@GingerPhoreLife]

What type of stainless steel screw would you remained for the half 2x4?

[@SWiFence]

I still use the #8 1 5/8". bit.ly/SWI8x158stainlessscrew

[@eduardolopezhernandez2035]

I will like to know about you nail gun and air compressor what would you recommend

[@SWiFence]

We use the same thing we sell: 👉🏻 Magnum Nail Gun: bit.ly/swimagnum 👉🏻 15-degree Ring Shank Nails: bit.ly/15degringshank

[@noahstoner5870]

Can you do a horizontal cedar fence with air gap on a slope with the boards running parallel to the slope, not level?

[@SWiFence]

Sure. You'll have to angle-cut the ends of your boards.