Compare cedar and pressure-treated pine, see typical per-foot costs with a worked 150-foot example, and learn how long to let treated wood dry before staining. Also covers fence styles, finishes, prep and Broward permit basics.
Cedar is the usual first pick for a backyard wood fence, and pressure-treated pine is the budget choice. Outside benchmarks put installed cost at roughly $15 to $45 per linear foot, and treated wood should dry until it readily absorbs water before you stain it.
Which wood is best for a backyard fence?
Cedar is the common pick for durability and look. Bob Vila calls cedar the best type of wood for a fence, fairly inexpensive, long-lasting and attractive.
Pressure-treated pine is the budget option. Preservative treatment matters because, according to the EPA, treated wood has a useful life at least five times longer than untreated wood. Treated pine lasts if the preservative is intact and you finish it. If you are keeping an older fence built before 2004 from non-cedar, non-redwood lumber, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says it was most likely built with CCA-treated wood, which contains arsenic. Wear gloves and a mask when you sand or cut it.
Privacy, picket or split rail: which style fits?
Style follows purpose. Bob Vila says most privacy fences are 6 feet high, while picket fences are typically 3 or 4 feet and split rail is open. A privacy fence uses the most boards and costs the most per foot. A picket fence marks a boundary and keeps small pets in. Split rail does little for privacy but suits a large lot.
What does a wood backyard fence cost?
Footage is the main driver. Thumbtack's national data puts a wood fence at about $15 to $45 per linear foot installed, and Angi's 2026 national figures show privacy fences at $10 to $50 per linear foot. These are outside benchmarks, not a quote for any particular job.
Here is a worked example using the Thumbtack range. A 150-foot backyard run at $15 to $45 per foot costs 150 × $15 = $2,250 up to 150 × $45 = $6,750. Angi's own table puts a 150-linear-foot privacy fence at $1,500 to $7,500.
What else changes the price?
Wood type, height and gates move the number first. Thumbtack notes that a cedar board-on-board fence costs more than other options, and contractors charge more for each gate because gates take more labor. Soil type, drainage and challenging landscape also add cost. Angi tells buyers to budget for old fence removal, plus tree or stump removal of $200 to $2,000. Ask for each add-on as a separate line.
Do you need a permit in Broward?
Check before you build. Broward County's fence permit procedures say wood fences not exceeding six feet in height must be built according to Florida Building Code section 2328. The same packet says that if your job value is $2,500.00 or more, you must file a Notice of Commencement. Confirm the rules with your city and your HOA, since approvals are never guaranteed.
How long should pressure-treated wood dry before staining?
Often 30 to 60 days, but the water-drop test decides. Culpeper Wood Preservers says a project can be ready as soon as 30 days after completion. Treated Wood says typically 60 days, depending on sun exposure, temperature and recent weather.
Both use the same check. Drop water on the board. If it beads up and sits, wait longer. If the wood absorbs it, you can finish. Waterborne preservatives leave moisture in the wood, and finishing too early can affect how stain dries and penetrates. In South Florida's humidity, test several boards, especially shaded ones.
Stain, sealer or paint: what is the difference?
Stain soaks into the wood, a sealer repels water, and paint forms a film on top. Because stain moves with the wood as it swells and shrinks, it does not peel the way paint can. Treated Wood recommends semi-transparent stains for color and warns that paint or solid-color stains show wear on high-traffic spots.
| Finish | Best fit | Prep it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-transparent stain | Sunny fences where you want the grain visible | Clean, dry, bare or lightly finished wood |
| Solid stain | Older or unevenly colored wood in direct sun | Clean, dry wood with repairs filled |
| Water sealer | Newer treated wood, often as a top layer | Dry wood that absorbs water |
| Acrylic paint | Solid color over old tones or repairs | Scraped, sanded, primed bare spots |
Which finish lasts longest?
It depends on exposure and prep. A quality acrylic paint over proper prep resists UV fading longer, but it fails by peeling once moisture gets underneath, usually at seams and end grain. Stain does not peel, but it needs reapplying more often. A south- or west-facing run takes the most sun, so it will wear fastest whichever you choose. For a closer look, read this guide on how sun and moisture decide paint or stain for a fence in Florida.
How do you prep a fence for finishing?
Treat mildew, wash, repair, sand and let it dry. Sherwin-Williams says to treat mold or mildew with one part bleach to three parts water, leave it 10 to 15 minutes, rinse well and let it dry completely. Then apply a wood brightener to lift the gray.
Pressure-wash with 1500 to 2000 PSI on softwoods like cedar or pine. Replace badly rotted boards completely. Fill cracks and holes with a stainable exterior wood filler, then sand the repair flush. Old paint has to come off or be sanded back before stain can soak in. Sprinkler damage and rot are easier to spot at this stage, as the deck and fence staining guide explains.
How often should you re-stain, and how do you stop rot?
Re-stain when water stops beading on the boards and the wood starts to gray. No single interval fits every yard, since a shaded fence and an open one age differently. Treated Wood notes that its Ecolife product, which has a built-in water-repellent, needs no sealant for up to three years after installation.
To slow rot, keep sprinkler overspray off the boards, because one section near a head can fail faster than the rest. Trim plants that hold dampness against the fence, clear debris from the base, and replace rotted boards early so rot does not spread.
If you want a fence prepped and finished for South Florida conditions, our crews handle deck and fence staining, and you can see what drives a painting quote before we set up a free estimate.