Composite Fence Installation
Composite fence boards are made from wood fiber or other fillers bound in plastic, usually with a harder outer cap. They look like stained wood from a few feet away, and they do not rot, split or need stain — which, in a yard that stays damp from October to May, is the whole point.
They cost more to build than cedar. Whether that pays off depends on how long you plan to stay and how much you dislike staining a fence.
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For as long as you own the property
How Composite Compares
Against cedar
Cedar is cheaper to build and easy to repair board by board, but it needs stain every few years and weathers to gray. Composite holds its color with occasional washing and does not decay where it stays wet.
Against vinyl
Vinyl is similar in upkeep and usually cheaper, but reads as plastic. Composite has wood grain and deeper colors, and heavier boards.
Against aluminum slats
Aluminum slat panels are lighter and fully rust-proof, with a crisper modern look. Composite looks warmer and closer to wood.
Designs
Horizontal board screens
Composite boards slide into metal or composite posts horizontally, which suits a modern horizontal fence with no visible fasteners.
Vertical privacy
Tongue-and-groove or overlapping vertical boards give full privacy with no gaps opening up as the seasons change.
Mixed materials
Composite infill in a black aluminum or steel frame, or composite boards with a cedar cap, are common ways to balance cost and look.
What to Know Before You Buy
Posts and spans
Composite boards are heavy and sag if spans are too long, so most systems use aluminum or steel posts at the maker’s specified spacing. We follow those specifications so the product warranty stays valid.
Heat and movement
Boards expand and contract with temperature. The systems leave room for that movement; ignoring it is what makes composite fences buckle.
Mildew in shade
Composite does not rot, but mildew can grow on the surface in shady, damp spots. It washes off with a mild cleaner; capped boards resist it best.
Composite Fence Cost
Installed price per foot
Composite starts around $85 a foot installed for a 6-foot fence on level ground, compared with about $58 for cedar privacy. Metal posts, where the system needs them, add about $11 a foot.
Lifetime cost
The gap narrows over the years a cedar fence would need staining — roughly $7 a foot each time it is done professionally. Run both options side by side in the cost calculator.
Other price factors
Height, gates, slope, removal of an old fence and access all change the price the same way they do for any fence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does composite fencing fade?
Most boards lighten a little in the first months in full sun and then stabilize. Capped boards fade least. Ask for the product’s fade and stain warranty before you choose.
Can a composite fence be repaired?
Yes — a damaged board slides out and a new one goes in. Keep a few spare boards from the original order; colors change between production runs.
Is composite good for a privacy fence?
Very good. Boards do not shrink and open gaps the way wood does, so privacy stays complete.