Estate Fences: Cedar Privacy With a Finished Top
An estate fence is a cedar privacy fence built to look finished: boards fitted tight, a trim board along the top and a flat cap over it, so the fence reads as one clean, straight line instead of a row of board ends.
It suits houses where the fence is part of the front view, long runs along a street or driveway, and anyone who wants a privacy fence that looks built rather than bought.
Schedule your no-obligation on-site consultation today.
For as long as you own the property
What Makes It an Estate Fence
Tight vertical boards
Boards are set edge to edge with no planned gap, for full screening. As cedar dries it shrinks a little, so we pick boards and spacing with that in mind.
Cap and fascia trim
A fascia board runs across the top of the boards and a flat cap sits over it. The cap sheds rain off the end grain, which is where boards start to check and rot.
Better boards
Knotty cedar is the usual grade; clear cedar, with few or no knots, is the upgrade for a fence that will be stained and seen up close.
Posts, Tops and Heights
Post choices
Cedar 4×4 posts in concrete are the standard. 6×6 posts suit tall or wind-exposed runs, and steel posts faced with cedar do not rot at the ground, which is where wood posts fail first in wet soil.
Top profiles
Flat cap and trim is the classic estate look. The same frame can carry a lattice band, a picture-frame border or an arched top between posts.
Height
Six feet is the usual backyard height. Near the street most cities allow less, so a front run often steps down to 3 or 4 feet. Check the rule for your city before choosing.
Gates and Slopes
Matching gates
The gate repeats the boards, trim and cap of the fence on a braced frame, or on a steel frame for wide or heavy gates, so it does not sag. See gate installation.
Sloping ground
The straight cap and trim look best when the fence steps down in level sections. On a steady slope the sections can also follow the ground, with the bottom gap kept even.
Estate Fence Cost
Compared with a standard fence
A 6-foot cedar privacy fence starts around $58 a foot installed on level ground. An estate fence costs more for the trim, the cap and the extra labor of fitting them straight; clear cedar adds more again. We price it from the measured line.
Post upgrades
6×6 posts add about $7 a foot and steel posts about $11. Stain adds about $7 a foot and keeps the color even.
A first number
Choose “Cedar privacy” in the fence cost calculator for the starting range, then ask for an estimate with the trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an estate fence and a regular privacy fence?
The boards and posts are much the same. The difference is the finish: tight-fitted boards, a trim board and a flat cap along the top, and usually a better grade of cedar.
Does the cap make the fence last longer?
It helps. A cap keeps rain off the tops of the boards, where end grain soaks up water. Posts, setting and stain still matter more; see how long a cedar fence lasts.
Is an estate fence the same on both sides?
No. The rails show on one side. If both sides need to look finished, a board-on-board or shadowbox layout is closer.
Should it be stained?
Staining is optional but keeps the cedar’s color and slows weathering. New cedar can usually be stained soon after it is built. See staining and sealing.