Cedar Side by Side Fence: Natural Charm for Plano Residential Fencing
Cedar fences are everywhere in Plano, but not all cedar fences age gracefully. After a few North Texas summers, you can tell which homeowners chose the right design and materials, and which ones tried to save a little up front and paid for it with a tired, leaning fence later.
Among the options, a cedar side by side fence has become a quiet workhorse for Plano residential fencing. It offers natural beauty, privacy, and a straightforward structure that handles our clay soil and wild weather swings better than many alternatives, when it is installed and maintained correctly.
This is not a one size fits all choice, though. Side by side construction sits in a family of styles that includes board on board, horizontal, and ornamental combinations with steel or masonry. To pick the right fence for your property, it helps to understand how a cedar side by side fence actually behaves over time in Plano conditions, and how it fits with gate systems, posts, and upgrades like automatic gate openers.
What “cedar side by side” really means
Side by side describes how the pickets are placed on the rails. Each vertical cedar picket is installed directly next to the next one, their edges just touching or very slightly spaced. When installed well, this creates a nearly solid wall of wood.
On a typical 6 foot side by side fence in Plano, the structure looks like this:
- 4x4 or 4x6 posts set in concrete, usually 6 to 8 feet apart
- Horizontal 2x4 rails running along the inside of the posts
- Cedar pickets nailed or screwed to the rails, tight against each other
For many suburban Plano lots, that means a continuous privacy fence around the backyard, often tying into a driveway gate or side entry gate near the garage.
The simplicity of this construction is part of its appeal. There are fewer layers and overlaps than a board on board fence, which makes it slightly more budget friendly and quicker to install. Yet with the right picket thickness and a bit of foresight, you still get strong privacy and a good looking perimeter.
Why cedar makes sense in Plano’s climate
You can build a side by side fence from pine or other species, but cedar has some advantages that show up clearly in Plano neighborhoods.
Cedar contains natural oils and tannins that help resist rot and insect damage. It does not make the wood indestructible, but it buys you time. In our hot, bright summers and occasional heavy rains, pine tends to cup, twist, and decay faster, especially near the bottom of the fence where soil and moisture collect.
On actual jobs in Plano and nearby cities, a properly built cedar side by side fence often stays structurally sound for 15 to 20 years, sometimes longer, even if the color has silvered out. Pine fences of similar age usually show more warping, splintering, and soft spots at the base.
Cedar also takes stain very well. Transparent and semi transparent stains soak in and let the grain show through, which is a big part of the “natural charm” people want. If you maintain that stain every few years, the fence keeps a warm tone instead of turning gray.
There is one important limit. Cedar pickets still absorb and release moisture as humidity and temperature change. That movement matters for side by side construction, because it affects privacy over time.
Privacy and the “daylight gap” problem
When a cedar side by side fence is new, the pickets are tight. Stand in the yard during daylight, and you see a solid wall.
Six months later, especially after a Plano summer, homeowners sometimes notice thin vertical slivers of light between the boards. The fence is still private from most angles, but if you stand in just the right spot, you can see through. This is the price of simple side by side construction.
Those gaps happen because cedar shrinks slightly as it dries. Installers in Plano have two main ways to manage it:
- Use thicker, high quality cedar pickets with minimal moisture content. They move less, so the gaps are limited.
- Tighten the initial spacing with a small overlap or intentional bias to account for shrinkage. That takes experience and a careful crew.
If a client tells me that absolute visual privacy is non negotiable, especially around a pool or tight neighbor situation, I usually discuss a board on board fence instead. In that style, each vertical seam is covered by another board, so even if the wood shrinks, light does not push through.
That does not mean a cedar side by side fence fails at privacy. For many Plano properties, especially on larger lots or with offset neighbors, the tiny daylight gaps do not change the actual sense of seclusion in the yard. It is more about personal preference than hard performance.
Side by side vs board on board for Plano homes
These two styles come up in nearly every fence consultation around here. Homeowners often start by asking for a board on board fence, then we walk through the trade offs.
A cedar side by side fence in Plano typically wins on initial cost. There are fewer pickets involved, and labor is a bit lower because the installer only hangs one layer of boards. For a long run along a back property line, that savings adds up quickly.
Board on board delivers better long term privacy and a slightly more upscale look from many angles. It also has more weight and more wind resistance. In North Texas storms, that matters. A board on board fence needs properly sized posts, good concrete footings, and solid rails. Done right, it handles wind well. Done cheaply, it becomes a sail.
Side by side fences, being a bit lighter, often flex slightly in high winds but return to position. With Plano’s heavy clay soils that swell and shrink, and with the occasional straight line wind, I have seen well built side by side fences outlast heavier, poorly anchored designs.
That brings up a point homeowners often overlook. The quality of the posts and the installation method matter more to longevity than the visible style. Fence post replacement Plano is a steady stream of work largely because earlier installers cut corners underground, not because the pickets failed.
Posts, soil, and why your fence leans
Plano sits on expansive clay. When it gets wet, the clay swells. When it dries out during a long summer, it contracts. That seasonal motion does not bother your pickets much, but it works on your posts constantly.
If a cedar side by side fence starts to lean, the villain is usually the post, not the boards. Sometimes the post rots at or just below grade because water sits there. Other times the concrete was poured shallow or in a shape that actually encourages movement instead of resisting it.
I have replaced posts on plenty of relatively new fences where the cedar itself was still in good shape. In those fence post replacement Plano projects, we often salvage the existing pickets, install deeper and better reinforced posts, and then reattach the boards. It is not always perfect cosmetically, but it is far cheaper than a full replacement.
For a new fence, I push hard for:
- Posts deep enough to get below the heaving layer of clay
- Bell shaped or flared bottoms on the concrete, not smooth cylinders that can “pop” upward
- Proper drainage and grade, so water flows away from the base of the fence
With those details right, a cedar side by side fence gains a stable backbone. Without them, it does not matter what kind of picket you use.
Integrating gates: function and flow, not just a hole in the fence
Every fence has at least one weak point: the gate. That is also where you interact with the fence every day, so quality shows.
For emergency fence repair a simple walk gate in a cedar side by side fence Plano homeowners often want something that visually blends with the rest of the line. That usually means a cedar gate built with the same pickets and trim, and heavier framing behind it: steel or doubled 2x4s, good hinges, proper diagonal bracing.
When you move up to a driveway entry, the conversation changes. Gate replacement Plano TX projects often come from two recurring problems:
- The original gate sagged or dragged because it was built too light for the opening.
- The hinges or posts were not designed to handle an automatic system, and constant strain took a toll.
Sliding gates Plano are increasingly common in tighter neighborhoods or where the driveway slopes. They pair nicely with a cedar perimeter fence because, from the street, the gate can be skinned in cedar to match, while the structural frame is steel.
Automatic gate openers Plano clients choose tend to be either swinging or sliding systems. The choice depends on driveway space, slope, city rules, and how the fence line runs.
The key is to think of the gate as part of the overall fence system. If you are upgrading to an automatic opener, posts near the gate need to be stronger. The hinge side should not share a shaky post with a long run of fence. Running power for the opener is easier during a new fence installation than as an afterthought.
A well integrated gate does more than open and close. It influences how you and your guests experience the property, how secure the yard feels, and how the vehicles move. When it is time for gate replacement Plano TX homeowners who plan ahead and coordinate the gate with the cedar side by side fence tend to get smoother operation and fewer repairs down the line.
A walkthrough of a typical Plano project
Consider a common situation. A homeowner in west Plano has a 15 year old stockade style fence on three sides of the backyard. Some posts are leaning, a few pickets have split, and the driveway gate is hard to swing. They want a more attractive fence, better privacy from a two story neighbor, and reliable car access.
On the design side, we might land on cedar side by side fencing along the sides, with a board on board section at the back where the neighbor’s windows look down into the yard. That combination keeps costs controlled while focusing the extra privacy where it matters.
Next we address the gate. The old double swing gate that drags on the concrete gets replaced with a steel frame sliding gate, skinned in cedar to match the fence. We coordinate with an electrician for an automatic gate opener. For automatic gate openers Plano has several solid brands available through fence contractors, and the choice usually comes down to duty cycle, backup power options, and budget.
Under the surface, we dig out and replace undersized posts near the driveway and corners, pouring deeper, flared concrete footings. Along the long runs where the homeowner’s budget is tighter and the posts are still reasonably sound, we may perform selective fence post replacement Plano style, changing only the worst offenders and bracing key points.
The finished project looks clean and cohesive from the street. From inside the yard, there is a sense of privacy and order. Functionally, the automatic sliding gate actually gets used, which means the owners stop leaving it open all evening because it is a nuisance to close.
This kind of blended approach is typical when you view the fence not as a single uniform object, but as a system that includes cedar surfaces, structural elements, gates, and hardware.
Maintenance habits that keep cedar fences attractive
Cedar is forgiving, but it is not maintenance free. Plano’s sun is harsh, and the wind carries dust that works like sandpaper over the years.
A short, focused maintenance routine goes further than many people expect:
- Apply a quality oil based or hybrid stain and sealer within a few weeks of installation, once the cedar has acclimated slightly.
- Inspect the base of the fence annually for soil contact, mulch creep, or sprinkler overspray, and correct those conditions.
- Keep vegetation trimmed back so vines and heavy shrubs do not trap moisture against the boards.
If you keep up with staining every 3 to 5 years, the color holds and water beads off the surface instead of soaking in. I have seen Plano fences stained regularly that still look impressive after 12 to 15 years. Right next door, an unstained fence of the same age has gone gray, with more checking and vinyl privacy fence surface wear.
Homeowners sometimes ask whether to power wash before staining. Light, careful washing can help, but overdoing it carves out the soft grain and makes the surface fuzzy. A garden hose rinse and a brush to knock off surface dirt is often enough unless there is deep mildew or old failed stain to remove.
When replacement beats repair
There is a point where constant patching becomes more expensive and less satisfying than a full replacement.
If you are dealing with multiple broken rails, widespread rot at the bottom of the pickets, and leaning posts across more than a third of the fence line, it usually makes sense to consider a new cedar side by side fence rather than piecemeal repairs. The labor to chase every weak spot adds up quickly, and you still end up with a patchwork fence.
On the other hand, localized fence post replacement Plano style can extend the life of an otherwise solid fence. For example, a 10 year old cedar fence with 3 or 4 leaning posts, but tight and structurally sound pickets, may gain another 5 to 8 years with targeted post work, minor rail fixes, and a fresh stain.
Gates often tip the scales. If your gate is sagging, hard to close, and mounted on a failing post, you are solving three problems at once. That is a good moment to step back and consider whether a redesigned gate and fence section could give you better daily use, not just a short term fix.
Design touches that elevate a side by side fence
A plain cedar side by side fence fits most Plano neighborhoods, especially where HOA guidelines set basic height and material rules. Within that framework, there are ways to add character without driving the budget through the roof.
Top cap and trim is one option. Adding a horizontal cap board along the top of the fence, with a small fascia trim under it, gives a finished, custom look and helps protect the end grain of the pickets from direct sun and rain. It also visually smooths out any slight height variations in the ground.
Staggered heights can work along sloped yards. Instead of each panel stepping abruptly, the installer can cut the pickets to follow a gentle line that matches the grade. On side by side fences, that detail makes the entire run feel less choppy.
Pairing with masonry or metal at key points also works. A cedar fence running between brick columns, or a cedar infill between steel posts at the driveway area, combines the warmth of wood with the strength and permanence of harder materials.
These touches matter because a fence is a visible, daily part of your home. You may not stare at it, but your eye registers whether it feels intentional or like an afterthought. A well detailed cedar side by side fence anchors the property visually.
When a cedar side by side fence is the right choice for Plano
There is no universal “best” fence, but there are patterns that show up repeatedly in real projects.
A cedar side by side fence Plano homeowners are happy with usually fits one or more of these conditions:
- The yard needs strong privacy but can tolerate minor vertical gaps that may appear over time.
- Budget matters, but they still want a long lasting, attractive material and are willing to maintain stain.
- Soil conditions or neighborhood wind exposure favor a lighter, well braced fence over an overly heavy structure.
- The homeowner wants a coordinated look with cedar skinned sliding gates Plano style, or a simple frame gate, without overloading the gate posts.
If you demand absolutely no daylight through the fence, or if you want a highly architectural look that ties in with a modern home, a horizontal or board on board fence may suit better, albeit at a higher price point.
For many Plano neighborhoods, though, a well designed cedar side by side fence, anchored by properly set posts, tied into thoughtful gates with or without automatic gate openers Plano installers can recommend, and maintained with periodic stain, hits the sweet spot between natural charm, privacy, durability, and cost.
The difference between a fence that quietly serves you for twenty years and one that frustrates you in five is rarely the style name. It is the attention paid to structure, layout, and the way all the parts, from posts to gates to pickets, work as a whole on your particular piece of North Texas ground.
