Outdoor living & yard care
Fencing
Wood privacy fences, vinyl fencing, aluminum railings and gates for privacy, safety and a finished look.
A fence that fits your property
A good fence gives you privacy from the road and the neighbors, keeps kids and dogs where they belong and frames the yard. A poorly built one leans, sags and needs fixing within a few seasons.
Onalaska Builders installs fences and gates with our own crews, and stains and seals wood fences.
Fencing work includes:
- Wood privacy fences
- Vinyl fencing
- Aluminum railings
- Gates
- Staining and sealing wood fences
Choosing a fence
Comparing fence types
- Wood privacy fence. The most common choice for backyard privacy. Cost-effective and easy to repair, but it needs staining or sealing to hold up. See staining and sealing below.
- Vinyl fencing. Costs more up front but does not need staining or painting and will not rot. Occasional washing keeps it clean. See pressure washing.
- Aluminum railings. A clean, open look that does not block the view, well suited to decks, porches, pool areas and lakefront yards.
Gates
Gates that swing and latch properly
Gates take more stress than any other part of a fence and are usually the first thing to sag. A lasting gate needs:
- Sturdy posts set solidly in the ground
- A frame built to resist sagging
- Heavy-duty hinges and a latch that lines up
- Enough width for mowers, wheelbarrows or vehicles if needed
Existing fences
Staining and sealing wood fences
A few summers of sun and rain turn a wood fence gray, rough and blotchy, and unprotected boards dry out, crack and eventually rot. Staining or sealing brings back the color and protects the wood.
- Inspect. Replace loose, cracked or rotten boards and check the posts first.
- Clean. Wash away dirt, mildew and the weathered surface at a pressure that will not gouge the wood.
- Dry. Let the wood dry thoroughly before any finish goes on.
- Apply. Clear sealer, semi-transparent stain, solid stain or paint, applied evenly.
A clear sealer keeps the natural look but gives little sun protection; stains add color and more protection; paint gives a uniform color but needs careful prep to avoid peeling. Shaded fences usually hold a finish longer than fences in full sun.
Before you build
What to check before installing a fence
- Property lines. Knowing exactly where your line is helps avoid disputes. A survey is the most reliable way to confirm it.
- Deed restrictions and HOA rules, which often limit fence height, style and material.
- Utilities. Buried lines should be located before digging post holes.
- The ground. Slopes, low spots and drainage paths affect how the fence is laid out. See grading.
- Clearing the line. Overgrown fence lines may need brush cleared first. See bush hogging and land clearing.
Lake and timber country
Fencing around Livingston
Humidity, sun and heavy rain are hard on fences in East Texas, so material choice, solid posts and a good finish matter. We install and maintain fences within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
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Questions
Fencing questions
What types of fences do you install?
We install wood privacy fences, vinyl fencing, aluminum railings and gates.
Is a wood or vinyl fence better?
Wood costs less up front and is easy to repair but needs staining or sealing to last. Vinyl costs more initially but does not need staining or painting and will not rot.
Do you stain existing fences?
Yes. We wash, stain, seal and paint wood fences, and replace damaged boards first when needed.
Do I need to know my property line before building a fence?
Yes. Knowing exactly where your line is helps avoid disputes with neighbors, and a survey is the most reliable way to confirm it.
How do I get an estimate for a fence?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code, roughly how many feet of fence you need, the type you want and how many gates.
Get started
Need fence work?
Tell us about the fence, new or existing, and where the property is. Send the form or give us a call.