Short answer: the best fence idea is the one that matches what the fence has to do. A backyard that needs privacy, a front yard that needs to stay open, and a side yard that never wants to see a paintbrush again all call for different fences. Below are six styles we build around Portland and Vancouver, WA, each shown with a photo from our own job files, plus what each one is best for and the height rules to check before you fall in love with one.
Already know the style you want? Go straight to our Portland fence installation page for how we build them and to book a free quote.
1. Classic cedar privacy fence
Most wood fence ideas start here. The 6 foot cedar privacy fence is the backyard standard in Portland for a reason. It blocks the view, it suits almost any house, and natural cedar weathers to a soft silver gray if you leave it alone. We build every cedar fence in Grade 1 or better western red cedar, with stainless steel fasteners so nothing rusts or streaks down the boards.
Best for: backyards, side yards next to a neighbor, and anyone who wants the most familiar look at the lowest upkeep for wood.
Want the details on boards, posts and heights? Read our guide to the cedar privacy fence, or see how we build a full wood fence on our wood fencing page.
2. Cedar fence with a top cap and trim
Add a flat cap board along the top and a trim board under it, and the same cedar fence starts to look built rather than just put up. It is one of the simplest upgrades to a privacy fence, and it gives the top edge a clean, finished line that reads well from the house and the street.
Best for: front-facing side yards, homes where the fence is part of the view from the street, and anyone who wants a privacy fence that looks like it belongs to the house. Keep the cap in mind when you plan height, because in Portland the cap counts toward the total.
3. A darker cedar look
Cedar does not have to stay honey colored. A deep brown finish makes a long fence line recede into the planting behind it, and it pairs well with modern and darker painted homes. This is the same cedar privacy build as idea 1; the color comes from the finish, so it is a look you can choose once the new cedar has dried out.
Planning to finish the wood yourself? Read how to stain a fence first, including how long new cedar should dry before it takes a finish.
4. Colorbond steel fence on a cedar kickboard
If you never want to stain or paint a fence again, this is the idea to look at. A Colorbond steel fence gives you full privacy with solid steel panels, and the color is baked into the steel at the factory, so there is nothing to recoat as it ages. Steel does not rot, warp or twist the way wood can in a wet Portland winter. We set the panels on a cedar kickboard, which warms up the base of the fence and follows the ground on a sloped yard.
Best for: modern homes, tight urban lots, long runs along a driveway, and anyone who wants the lowest upkeep fence we build.
See colors, how they are built and the warranty on our Colorbond steel fence page.
Not sure which of these fits your yard?
We come out, measure the run, check your city's height rules and show you samples before anything is ordered. Free on-site quote, no pressure.
Licensed, bonded and insured · Grade 1 or better cedar on every cedar fence · Every installer has 5+ years of fence experience
5. Hog wire fence for a front yard you can still see
A hog wire fence is a cedar frame built around welded steel wire panels. You keep your view, your light and your sightlines while still marking the edge of the yard, and it keeps dogs and foot traffic out of the beds without blocking the sun to your plants. It is common on Portland bungalows and craftsman homes, where a solid front fence would look wrong.
Best for: front yards, gardens, and any lot backing onto trees, a greenbelt or a view you do not want to wall off. It is also one of the easiest ways to stay inside Portland's front-yard height limit and still have a fence that looks finished.
Read more about how we build a hog wire fence in Portland, including frame sizes and post options.
6. Black metal picket fence
A black metal picket fence keeps a clean, open line and lets the yard behind it show. It reads as tidy and formal, and it suits homes where you want a clear boundary without a wall of wood. Ask us at your quote whether it is the right fit for your lot and how it compares with hog wire for an open look.
Which fence idea fits which yard
| Style | Privacy | Upkeep | Best spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar privacy | Full | Low for wood; finish is optional | Backyards, side yards |
| Capped cedar | Full | Low for wood | Street-facing side yards |
| Darker cedar look | Full | A finish to keep up over time | Modern and darker homes |
| Colorbond steel | Full | Lowest: nothing to stain or repaint | Modern homes, driveways, long runs |
| Hog wire | Open, keeps the view | Low | Front yards, gardens, view lots |
| Metal picket | Open | Low | Front yards, formal boundaries |
Front yard fence ideas vs backyard fence ideas: the Portland rules
Inside the City of Portland, two rules decide what you can build, and a fence has to pass both. The zoning code caps the height, and the building code decides when you need a permit.
- Front setback: in many zones a fence can be no taller than 3 and a half feet. That is why open styles like hog wire and low cedar are the usual front yard ideas.
- Side and rear setbacks: fences can go up to 8 feet.
- Permits: a wood fence over 7 feet, a masonry or concrete fence over 4 feet, or a chain link or woven wire fence over 8 feet needs a building permit. A fence around a pool always does.
- Height is measured from the ground where the posts go in to the very top, and lattice, posts and anything added to the top count.
Suburbs write their own rules. Our guide to Portland fence code and property lines covers Gresham, Happy Valley, Camas and Washougal line by line.
More fence ideas from our blog
Want a modern slatted look? See our horizontal fence ideas.
Sharing the fence with a neighbor? Compare good neighbor fence styles.
Need the most private wood fence there is? Read about our board on board fence.
Have chain link and want more privacy from it? See chain link fence privacy ideas.
Comparing materials side by side? Start with our guide to the types of fences we build.
Fence ideas FAQ
How tall can a fence be in Portland?
In many City of Portland zones, a fence in the front setback can be up to 3 and a half feet tall, and a fence in the side or rear setback can be up to 8 feet. That is why 6 feet is the usual backyard privacy height. Suburbs set their own limits, so check your city before you order.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Portland?
Not for most backyard fences. The City of Portland requires a building permit for a wood fence taller than 7 feet, a masonry or concrete fence taller than 4 feet, a chain link or woven wire fence taller than 8 feet, and any fence that encloses a pool.
Which fence needs the least maintenance?
Of the styles on this page, a Colorbond steel fence needs the least. The color is baked into the steel, so there is nothing to stain or repaint, and steel does not rot or warp. Vinyl is the other low upkeep option we install.
What fence lets me keep my view?
A hog wire fence. The welded wire panels inside a cedar frame mark the property line and keep dogs in, while you still see straight through to the yard, the garden or the view behind it.
Sources
Gorilla Works proudly serves Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Troutdale, Vancouver WA, and Camas WA. Call (971) 343-4964 or request a fence quote.
