Fort Smith Fence Pros helps homeowners plan wood fence installation in Fort Smith, AR, from choosing the lumber to picking a board style that fits the house and the yard.
Wood is still the most common backyard fence in the River Valley because it is easy to repair, easy to paint or stain, and works with almost any house. The choices that matter most are the species, the style and how the posts are set. Here is how those decisions play out, and when you are ready, request a free estimate and we will pass your project to an independent local fence contractor.
Lumber Species Used for Wood Fences in the River Valley
Most wood fences here are built from one of two materials, with a few specialty options for buyers who want something different.
Pressure-treated pine
Southern yellow pine treated with preservative is the budget workhorse. It holds up in contact with soil, which makes it a common choice for posts even when the boards are another species. It can twist and check as it dries, so board selection matters.
Cedar
Cedar costs more but stays straighter and carries natural oils that resist decay and insects above ground. We cover it in detail on our cedar fence page.
Other species
Cypress, redwood and composite boards are available, usually by special order, and are worth pricing if you want a specific look.
Wood Fence Board Styles and How They Look From Each Side
- Stockade or flat board: boards butted tight in a single row. Simple and affordable, with small gaps showing as the wood shrinks.
- Board on board: overlapping boards on the same side so no gaps open up when the wood dries.
- Shadowbox: boards alternate on each side of the rails, so the fence looks the same from both yards and lets some air through.
- Picket: spaced boards, usually 3 to 4 feet tall, for front yards.
- Split rail: open post and rail for marking a boundary on larger lots.
A cap and trim board along the top adds cost but sheds water off the end grain and makes the fence look finished.
Building a Wood Fence for Fort Smith Heat, Storms and Termites
Fort Smith has a humid subtropical climate, and the city set a record high of 115 degrees in August 2011. Long humid summers are hard on wood, so a sealer or stain within the first season helps. The December 2000 ice storm brought up to 3 inches of ice to western Arkansas, and falling limbs flattened fence lines across the region, so ask how sections can be replaced one at a time.
The University of Arkansas extension service notes that subterranean termites live statewide. Posts rated for ground contact, gravel at the base for drainage, and keeping mulch and soil off the bottom boards all help a wood fence last.
What Wood Fence Installation Typically Costs
National cost guides from Angi put wood fencing at a typical range of about $10 to $45 per linear foot installed. HomeAdvisor reports most homeowners spend roughly $1,856 to $4,752 on a fence project overall. These are estimates, and your price depends on:
- Total footage and the number of corners and gates
- Species and board style, with board on board using more lumber
- Fence height
- Removal of an old fence
- Slope, tree roots and rocky ground
How a Wood Fence Job Usually Goes
- Confirm the property line and check with the city or your HOA about any rules.
- Call 811 so buried utilities are marked before digging.
- Set posts and let concrete cure.
- Hang rails and boards, then build and hang gates.
- Walk the line, clean up, and plan a first coat of sealer once the wood is dry enough.
Ask your contractor what posts and fasteners they use, how deep the holes go, and how they handle gate sag.
Common questions
How long does a wood fence last in Arkansas?
It depends mostly on the species and how the posts are set. Angi estimates pressure-treated pine lasts around 15 years and cedar around 30 with regular care. In a humid climate like Fort Smith, sealing the wood, keeping soil and mulch off the bottom boards, and replacing damaged pickets early all extend the life of the fence.
What is the cheapest wood fence style?
A flat board or stockade fence in pressure-treated pine is usually the lowest cost wood option because it uses the least lumber and labor per foot. Board on board and shadowbox styles cost more since they use extra boards. Your actual price depends on footage, height, gates and site conditions, so request a free estimate for your yard.
Should a wood fence be stained right away?
Pressure-treated pine often needs to dry for several weeks to a few months before it will absorb stain, while cedar can usually be sealed sooner. A simple test is to sprinkle water on the boards. If it beads up, wait. If it soaks in, the wood is ready. Ask your installer what they recommend for the lumber used.
Can a wood fence be repaired after storm damage?
Yes, and that is one of the main reasons people choose wood. Broken pickets, rails and even single posts can be replaced without tearing out the whole fence. New boards will look brighter at first, but after a season of weather or a coat of stain they blend in with the rest of the run.