Wood gives you a full privacy fence for less than vinyl or aluminum. In Port St. Lucie a 6-foot pressure-treated pine fence in stockade or shadowbox style costs about $22–$35 per foot installed, and board-on-board about $28–$45 per foot. Built with ground-contact posts and sealed, it gives good service in this climate.
Picking a style
- Stockade. Boards butted side by side on one face. The least expensive privacy fence. Small gaps open as the boards dry.
- Shadowbox. Boards alternate on each side of the rails, so the fence looks finished from both yards and lets air move through.
- Board-on-board. Overlapping boards on one side. No see-through gaps even after the wood shrinks, and the most solid look.
- Horizontal board. Boards run sideways between posts for a cleaner, modern line. Stained rather than left natural, it suits newer homes and pool decks.
- Picket. 3 to 4 feet, mostly for front yards, around $16–$28 per foot.
Making wood last in Florida
Heat, rain and termites are hard on lumber, so the build matters more than the board. We use posts rated for ground contact and set them in concrete, keep the bottom of the boards off the soil so they do not wick moisture, and fix everything with galvanized or coated fasteners that will not streak or snap. Irrigation is the hidden enemy: a sprinkler head that soaks the same boards every morning will rot them years early, so we flag heads that need turning before the fence goes up.
A clear sealer or semi-transparent stain a few months after installation, once the treated wood has dried, and again every few years, slows graying and cracking. We can quote that with the fence or leave it to you.
Wood or vinyl?
Wood costs less up front and is easier to repair one board at a time. Vinyl costs more but asks for no sealing and outlasts wood in wet ground. If your HOA allows both, the honest answer depends on how long you plan to stay and how much upkeep you want. We price both at the estimate so you can compare. The price guide lays them side by side.
About these prices: wood prices move with lumber costs, so these are estimates only. We confirm the number in writing after measuring your yard.
Last updated October 8, 2026