When deciding on what type of fence to build around your property, one of the main considerations is cost. There are many factors that affect fencing costs, including material, height, and orientation (horizontal vs. vertical). In this article, we will examine if horizontal fencing is generally more expensive than vertical fencing.
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The Main Factors That Impact Fencing Costs
The primary drivers of fence cost are:
- Fence material – Wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum etc. all have vastly different price points
- Fence height – More material is needed for taller fences
- Fence orientation – Horizontal fencing often requires more material
- Accessibility – Ease of access for construction equipment affects labor costs
- Terrain – Flat vs. sloped terrain impacts material needs and labor difficulty
- Permits – Some areas require permits and inspections which add to costs
- Labor – Professional installation is more expensive than DIY
When comparing horizontal vs. vertical fencing, the main factors at play are the fence orientation and amount of material needed. Let’s take a closer look at how these impact costs:
Horizontal Fencing Often Requires More Material
For the same perimeter length, horizontal fencing requires more material than vertical fencing. This is because horizontal fencing needs posts at shorter intervals to maintain structural integrity. The fence essentially acts as a continuous beam that requires frequent posts for support.
For example, a 200 foot perimeter with a 6 foot tall vertical fence may only need posts every 8 feet on center. That’s only around 30 posts required. But a horizontal fence for the same perimeter would likely need posts every 3-4 feet – requiring up to 65 posts! More posts equals more cost.
Material Amount Comparison
| Fencing Type | Post Spacing | Posts Needed for 200ft Perimeter |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical | 8 feet | 30 |
| Horizontal | 4 feet | 65 |
Additionally, more fence boards or pickets are needed for horizontal fencing. Instead of just enough to cover the 6 foot height, horizontal fencing needs enough boards to run the full 200 foot length. This can be 2-3 times as many boards as a vertical fence.
Accessibility Challenges Add Labor Costs
Installing horizontal fencing also often requires more challenging labor. Working along the ground to install fence boards and posts introduces additional work compared to vertical fencing. The soil may need to be leveled or excavated to properly install fence posts and ensure the horizontal boards fit snugly to the ground.
Having posts and fencing along the ground also means landscape obstacles need to be addressed – going around trees, gardens, pathways etc. These accessibility challenges mean more planning and labor is required for horizontal fencing installation compared to vertical fences.
Exceptions Where Horizontal May be Less Expensive
In some select scenarios, horizontal fencing may actually cost less than vertical:
- Using pre-assembled welded mesh fencing rolls avoids the accessibility challenges of board-by-board horizontal fencing
- For low, decorative garden fences under 3 feet tall
- If an extremely long perimeter without much slope or obstacles
However, for the majority of common residential fence heights and perimeter lengths, the need for more materials and challenging installation makes horizontal fencing a more expensive choice in most cases.
Typical Horizontal Fence Costs
Based on reported nationwide averages, here are typical price ranges for horizontal fencing:
| Fence Material | Price per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood horizontal privacy fence | $15 – $25 |
| Vinyl horizontal fence | $25 – $40 |
| Aluminum horizontal fence | $30 – $50 |
| Chain link horizontal fence | $8 – $15 |
Compare this to average costs for vertical fences:
| Fence Material | Price per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Wood vertical privacy fence | $10 – $15 |
| Vinyl vertical fence | $15 – $25 |
| Aluminum vertical fence | $20 – $40 |
| Chain link vertical fence | $5 – $10 |
Conclusion
Based on the factors above, horizontal fencing will generally cost 20-50% more compared to vertical fencing. The main drivers of the increased expense are:
- More material required for fencing boards and posts
- Accessibility challenges adding labor costs
There are some exceptions where a horizontal fence may cost less for shorter lengths or with welded fencing. But for most standard fence projects, choosing vertical rather than horizontal orientation will provide significant cost savings.
When planning your new fence installation, think carefully about whether you specifically want a horizontal look. Be sure to get multiple quotes and compare both vertical and horizontal options. This will ensure you understand the cost implications and can decide if the aesthetic benefits of horizontal fencing justify the higher price tag.