To Receive a Free Estimate Fill Out This Form
Create a backyard that's truly yours—screened from neighbors, streets, and everything else.
A privacy fence transforms your outdoor space. No more awkward eye contact with the neighbors while you’re grilling. No more headlights sweeping across your patio at night. Just your yard, your family, and the peace of mind that comes with a solid barrier between your property and the outside world.
At Austin Fence & Deck Builders, we’ve been installing privacy fences across the Austin area since 2007. We build with cedar, vinyl, and composite materials—each with its own strengths—so you get the right fence for your property, your budget, and your maintenance preferences.
Ready to reclaim your backyard? Call us at (512) 799-7574 or request your free estimate.
What a Privacy Fence Does for Your Property
Beyond blocking sightlines, a well-built privacy fence delivers real benefits:
- True privacy. A solid 6-ft or 8-ft fence eliminates views from neighboring yards, sidewalks, and streets. Board-on-board construction removes even the small gaps between pickets.
- Security. A tall, solid fence is a deterrent. It keeps kids and pets contained, blocks casual access to your yard, and makes your property a less attractive target for opportunistic trouble.
- Noise reduction. While no fence is soundproof, a solid privacy fence dampens traffic noise, neighbor conversations, and barking dogs—especially when combined with landscaping.
- Wind protection. Austin’s spring winds can turn a backyard into a dust bowl. A privacy fence breaks the wind and creates a more comfortable outdoor space.
- Property value. A quality privacy fence is an asset. It improves curb appeal, defines your lot, and makes your outdoor space more usable—all things buyers notice.
Not sure if you need full privacy? We also install ornamental iron fences and semi-private options if visibility matters more than screening.
Privacy Fence Materials: Which One Fits Your Property?
We install privacy fences in three primary materials. Each has trade-offs worth understanding:
Cedar Wood
The Austin classic. Cedar privacy fences offer natural beauty, excellent durability, and the warm look that complements most home styles. Western Red Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and weathers gracefully—aging to a silver-gray if left unstained, or maintaining its rich color with periodic staining.
- Lifespan: 15–20 years with proper maintenance
- Maintenance: Stain every 2–4 years
- Best for: Homeowners who value natural aesthetics and don’t mind occasional upkeep
Vinyl
Zero maintenance, maximum longevity. Vinyl privacy fences never need staining, painting, or sealing. They won’t rot, warp, splinter, or fade in Austin’s sun. The trade-off is a more uniform, manufactured appearance and a higher upfront cost.
- Lifespan: 25–30+ years
- Maintenance: Rinse with a hose occasionally
- Best for: Homeowners who prioritize low maintenance over natural wood aesthetics
Composite
The middle ground. Composite fencing blends wood fibers with plastic polymers for a material that looks more natural than vinyl but requires less maintenance than wood. It resists rot, insects, and fading while offering realistic wood-grain textures.
- Lifespan: 20–25+ years
- Maintenance: Minimal—occasional cleaning
Best for: Homeowners who want a wood-like appearance without wood-level maintenance
Privacy Fence Styles We Build
- Solid Board (Standard Privacy): Vertical pickets installed tightly against each other, with no gaps. The most common privacy fence style is simple, effective, and clean.
- Board-on-Board Overlapping pickets mounted on alternating sides of the rail. This design eliminates gaps—even as wood naturally expands and contracts—and provides maximum privacy with a more dimensional look.
- Shadowbox Pickets alternate on opposite sides of the rails, creating a fence that looks finished from both sides. Offers partial privacy with better airflow. Good for shared property lines where both neighbors want a polished appearance.
- Horizontal Privacy Boards run horizontally for a modern, contemporary aesthetic. Popular in Austin’s newer developments and urban infill projects. Works in cedar, composite, or specialty materials.
- Lattice-Top Privacy Solid panels below with decorative lattice above. Adds visual interest, allows light and air through the top section, and can reduce the “walled-in” feeling of a tall, solid fence.
Privacy Fence Heights: 6 Feet vs. 8 Feet
- 6-foot fences are the standard for residential backyards in Austin. They block sightlines from ground level, meet most HOA requirements, and don’t require permits in most situations.
- 8-foot fences provide additional screening—especially useful if neighbors have elevated decks or second-story windows, or if your lot is lower than surrounding properties. Check local regulations; some areas restrict fence height or require setbacks for taller fences.
- Our recommendation: Start with 6 feet unless you have a specific reason to go taller. We can assess your property and advise whether the added height is worth the extra cost and potential permit requirements.
Our Privacy Fence Installation Process
We’ve refined our process over 17 years to be efficient, predictable, and clean:
Property Consultation We visit your property, walk the fence line, verify boundaries and setbacks, and discuss your privacy goals. You’ll get a detailed written estimate. No pressure, no guessing.
Material and Style Selection: Cedar, vinyl, or composite? Board-on-board or standard? 6 feet or 8? We’ll help you weigh the options based on your priorities, budget, and any HOA requirements.
Utility Locates and Permits We schedule 811 utility locates and handle permit paperwork if required. Your project stays on schedule and up to code.
Post Setting Posts are set in concrete at proper depth, minimum 24 inches in Austin’s clay soil, deeper for 8-foot fences. This is where cheap fence jobs fail; we don’t cut corners.
Rails, Boards, and Gates Horizontal rails are attached, then boards are installed with consistent spacing and alignment. Gates are framed, hinged, and latched for smooth, long-term operation.
Final Walkthrough We review the completed fence together, answer questions, and share care instructions specific to your material choice.
Need a gate? Every privacy fence needs at least one. We build wood gates, vinyl gates, and metal gates sized to match your fence.
Why Choose Austin Fence & Deck Builders
- Owner-operated since 2007. We’ve built thousands of privacy fences across Austin—we know what works in this climate and what doesn’t.
- 92+ Google reviews. Our customers mention craftsmanship, clear communication, and job sites that get cleaned up properly.
- Fully insured. Full liability coverage protects your property and our crew.
- 1-year workmanship warranty. If something isn’t right with the installation, we’ll make it right.
- Honest pricing. We quote what we build. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch, no surprises when the job is done.
- One company for everything. Fences, gates, decks, and staining—coordinated under one plan with one point of contact.
Privacy Fence Regulations in Austin
A few things to keep in mind:
- Height limits: Most Austin neighborhoods allow 6-foot fences in backyards and 4-foot fences in front yards without permits. Taller fences may require permits or variances.
- Setbacks: Fences typically must be set back from property lines, easements, and rights-of-way. We verify these during the estimate.
- HOA rules: Many Austin-area HOAs have specific requirements for fence materials, colors, and styles. We work with HOA guidelines regularly and can help you navigate the approval process.
- Pool fencing: If your privacy fence also serves as a pool barrier, it must meet Texas pool safety codes—including self-closing, self-latching gates. See our pool fence installation page for details.
We handle permit paperwork and HOA submissions so you don’t have to figure it out yourself.
Service Areas
We install privacy fences throughout Austin, TX, and surrounding communities—including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Buda, Manor, Bee Cave, and Kyle. From downtown condos to Hill Country acreage, we’ve built privacy fences across every type of property in the metro.
Ready for Real Privacy?
Tell us what you’re trying to screen—neighbors, traffic, a pool area—and we’ll recommend the right material, height, and style to get the job done. No pressure, no guessing, just a clear plan and honest pricing.
Request Your Free Estimate or call (512) 799-7574 to get started.
CALL NOW
(512) 799-7574
FAQ — Privacy Fence Installation (Austin)
Privacy fences typically run $25–$55 per linear foot installed, depending on material (cedar is lower, vinyl and composite are higher), height, and gate count. We provide detailed estimates after evaluating your specific property.
Cedar remains the most popular choice—it offers the best balance of appearance, durability, and cost. Vinyl is gaining ground with homeowners who prioritize zero maintenance over natural aesthetics.
Six feet is standard and sufficient for most backyards. Consider 8 feet if neighbors have elevated decks, second-story sightlines, or if your lot sits lower than surrounding properties. We can assess your situation during the estimate.
A solid fence reduces noise but won’t eliminate it. You’ll notice a difference—especially with casual conversation and moderate traffic—but don’t expect soundproofing. Adding dense landscaping along the fence line further reduces noise.
Fences 6 feet or under typically don’t require permits in Austin, but rules vary by location, HOA, and proximity to easements. We verify requirements for your property and handle paperwork if needed.
Most residential privacy fences (150–250 linear feet) take 2–4 days once materials arrive, and utilities are marked. Larger properties or difficult terrain may take longer.
Yes. We either “stair-step” the fence (installing panels at different heights along the slope) or “rack” the panels (angle them to follow the grade). The best approach depends on your terrain and aesthetic preference.
Standard privacy fencing has pickets mounted side by side on one side of the rails. Board-on-board overlaps pickets on alternating sides, eliminating gaps entirely and providing maximum privacy with a more dimensional appearance.
Let the new cedar dry 3–6 months, then apply a penetrating stain with UV protection. Restain every 2–4 years, depending on sun exposure. Replace damaged boards promptly and tighten loose hardware as needed.
Yes, but it must meet Texas pool barrier codes: a minimum height of 48 inches (measured on the pool side), no climbable features, and self-closing/self-latching gates with latches at least 54 inches high. We install pool-compliant privacy fences regularly.