Texas Rural Fence has been part of the Lake Livingston area for years, and wood fencing is where we started. From a board-on-board privacy fence around a backyard pool to a rustic split-rail line along a rural property boundary, our crews build wood fences designed to hold up to East Texas heat, humidity, and storms — all from our base right here in Onalaska.
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Wood remains the most requested fencing material across our entire service area, and for good reason. A well-built wood fence does three things at once: it marks your property line clearly, it adds real curb appeal, and — depending on the style — it can give you full privacy from neighbors and the road. Whether you're in a lake-view subdivision in Onalaska or working a rural lot outside Coldspring, wood fencing adapts to almost any property type and budget.
As a local East Texas fence contractor, we've learned that the wood fence styles that perform best here aren't always the same ones you'd recommend in a drier climate. Humidity, clay-heavy soil, and seasonal storms all affect how a fence holds up over time. That's part of why we lean on cedar for most privacy and board-on-board applications — it naturally resists the rot and insect pressure that's common in our part of Texas.
Every property is different, so we don't push a single style on every customer. Below are the five wood fence types we install most often across Onalaska, Livingston, Coldspring, Point Blank, Shepherd, and the rest of our service area. Click into any style for full pricing ranges, photos, and FAQs specific to that fence type.
Solid board-on-board fencing for full backyard privacy and noise reduction — our most requested style.
See Privacy Fence options →
Classic front-yard style with open spacing for curb appeal without sacrificing boundary definition.
See Picket Fence options →
Open rustic rail fencing, ideal for rural property lines, pastures, and decorative borders.
See Split-Rail options →
Modern horizontal-board styling for a contemporary look on lake and lakeside homes.
See Horizontal Fence options →
Decorative lattice topper or full screen panels for gardens, patios, and partial privacy.
See Lattice Fence options →One of the first questions we get from homeowners planning a new fence is whether to go with cedar or pressure-treated pine. Both are reasonable choices, but they perform differently in our climate, and the right pick usually comes down to budget versus long-term maintenance.
Cedar costs more upfront, but it naturally resists rot, insects, and warping, which matters a great deal given how humid this part of Texas gets in summer. Pine is more budget-friendly and widely available, but it needs more frequent staining and sealing to get a comparable lifespan. As an experienced East Texas fence contractor, we'll walk you through both options honestly during your free estimate rather than push whichever material has a higher markup.
| Wood Type | Typical Lifespan | Maintenance Needed | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar | 15–30 years | Low — occasional sealing | Higher upfront |
| Pressure-Treated Pine | 10–20 years | Higher — regular staining/sealing | Lower upfront |
Wood fence cost per foot varies by style, height, and wood type, but most projects in our service area fall in a fairly predictable range. A standard 6-foot cedar privacy fence typically runs $25 to $45 per linear foot installed. Picket and split-rail styles tend to run lower, generally $12 to $30 per linear foot, since they use less material and lighter framing. Horizontal fencing, because it requires more bracing and precision, usually lands on the higher end, often $30 to $50 per linear foot.
These are general ranges, not quotes — actual pricing depends on your property's terrain, gate count, and any obstacles (trees, slopes, existing structures) our crew has to work around. The only way to get an accurate number for your specific property is a free, no-obligation estimate, which we provide to every homeowner in our service area at no cost.
Every wood fence installation we run follows the same dependable process, regardless of which style you choose. First, we visit your property and walk the proposed fence line with you, noting any slopes, trees, or underground utility concerns. Second, we provide a written estimate with material and labor broken out clearly. Once approved, we schedule the install — most residential wood fence projects are completed in one to three days, depending on length and terrain. Larger rural or ranch-style projects may take longer.
We set every post below the frost line appropriate for our region and use galvanized hardware throughout, since standard fasteners corrode quickly in this climate. It's a small detail, but it's part of why our wood fences hold up well past the point where a corner-cutting installation would already be sagging.
Choosing a wood fence style isn't only about looks — it's about what your property actually needs. A lakefront home in Onalaska with a pool and close neighbors has very different priorities than a five-acre lot outside Trinity with grazing animals. We've installed enough wood fencing across this region to know which style tends to fit which situation, and we'll always tell you honestly if a less expensive option will serve you just as well as a pricier one.
For lake and lakeside properties, privacy fencing or horizontal board fencing are usually the right call — both block sightlines from neighboring docks and roads while giving the property a finished, modern look. For rural and ranch properties, cedar split-rail is often the most practical choice for marking long boundary lines affordably, sometimes paired with wire mesh if you also need to contain livestock. For front yards and gardens in town, a picket fence or a lattice screen tends to strike the right balance between curb appeal and a welcoming, open feel.
If you're not sure which style fits your situation, that's exactly what the free estimate visit is for. We'll look at your property, ask about how you actually use the space, and recommend the style that makes sense — not just the one that's easiest for us to install.
A common question from homeowners across Onalaska, Livingston, and the surrounding area is simply how long a new wood fence will actually last before it needs major repair or replacement. The honest answer depends heavily on wood choice and upkeep, but there are some realistic benchmarks worth knowing before you invest in a new fence.
A cedar privacy or picket fence, properly installed with galvanized hardware and posts set below the regional frost line, will typically perform well for 15 to 30 years with occasional sealing, and some well-maintained cedar fences last even longer. Pressure-treated pine, while a more affordable choice upfront, generally needs re-staining every 2 to 3 years to hit a comparable lifespan, and without that maintenance can start showing rot or warping considerably sooner — often within 8 to 10 years in our humidity. Split-rail and other open rail styles tend to last toward the longer end of that range, since there are no solid panels to trap moisture against the wood.
None of this is guaranteed, of course — every property faces different exposure to sun, moisture, and soil conditions, and maintenance habits vary from homeowner to homeowner. But as a contractor that's been part of this community for years, we'd rather give you realistic expectations upfront than oversell a fence that won't hold up the way you were told it would.
How much does a wood fence cost in the Lake Livingston area?
Most wood fence projects in our service area range from $12 to $50 per linear foot installed, depending on style, height, and wood type. We provide a free, no-obligation estimate for your specific property.
How long does a wood fence installation take?
Most residential wood fence projects are completed in 1–3 days, depending on length and terrain. Larger rural or ranch-style projects may take longer.
Do I need a permit for a wood fence in Polk County?
Polk County, Texas requires a development permit before building or adding most man-made structures, though the county does not handle permitting within the city limits of Livingston, Corrigan, Onalaska, or Goodrich — those go through their respective city halls directly. Permit and HOA requirements vary by location, so we can help confirm what applies to your specific property as part of your free estimate, but you should always verify current rules directly with Polk County or your city/HOA.
What's the difference between cedar and pine for a wood fence?
Cedar naturally resists rot and insects and typically lasts 15 to 30 years in East Texas humidity, while pine costs less upfront but generally needs more frequent staining and sealing, with a typical lifespan of 10 to 20 years.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes — we provide free, no-obligation estimates for every wood fence project across our Lake Livingston service area.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate from a trusted local fence contractor serving the entire Lake Livingston area.
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