Board on Board vs Side by Side Fence: Understanding the Real Differences
When homeowners in Metro Detroit start planning a wood privacy fence, two styles come up more than almost any other: board on board and side by side. From the street, they can look nearly identical. Both use vertical pickets, both deliver solid privacy, and both are available in cedar or pressure-treated pine. But the construction method, wind resistance, wood movement behavior, and long-term durability between these two styles are genuinely different. Knowing those differences helps you pick the right fence for your yard, your budget, and the Michigan climate you’re dealing with every single season.
Michigan winters are hard on wood fences. Frost heave puts stress on fence posts and footings, temperature swings cause wood to expand and contract, and spring storms test every panel and rail. The style of fence you choose affects how well it handles all of that. This guide breaks down exactly how board on board and side by side fences are built, how they perform over time, and what each one costs in terms of materials and installation labor.
How Each Fence Style Is Actually Constructed
Side by Side Fence Construction
A side by side fence is the most straightforward wood privacy fence design. Pickets are attached directly next to each other with no overlap, running from the top rail down to the bottom rail. Each picket shares a line post or sits right against the next one. This method uses fewer pickets per linear foot than board on board, which keeps material costs lower. It’s a clean, efficient build, and it works well when the lumber is properly dried and treated before installation.
The challenge with side by side construction is wood movement. Cedar and pressure-treated pine both expand and contract with changes in humidity and temperature. When pickets are butted directly against each other, there’s no room to flex. Over time, this leads to warping, cracking, and buckling — especially on fence panels that face south or west and absorb the most sun exposure. Gaps can form between pickets as wood dries out, which reduces the privacy the fence was installed to provide. Applying a quality wood preservative or waterproofing sealer immediately after installation significantly slows this process.
Board on Board Fence Construction
Board on board fencing — sometimes called good neighbor fence or shadow box fence when alternating boards appear on both sides — overlaps each picket over the one next to it by roughly one inch to two inches. The pickets alternate between the front face and the back face of the top rail and bottom rail, creating a woven-style pattern when viewed from above. This overlap is what separates board on board from side by side in nearly every meaningful way. The construction takes more pickets per linear foot, which raises material costs, but the structural payoff is significant.
Because each picket has room to expand and contract without pushing directly against the next one, board on board designs handle Michigan’s seasonal wood movement much better. Warping and cracking are less likely to compromise the overall fence panel, and the overlapping pickets mean that even if one board does shrink slightly, the privacy barrier stays intact. Understanding the differences between a shadow box fence vs solid privacy fence can help clarify which version of board on board construction fits your property goals.
Privacy Performance: Which Style Does It Better
Gap Formation Over Time
Side by side fences start with zero visible gaps between pickets, but that changes. As the wood dries and shrinks — which every wood fence does, regardless of species — small gaps open between adjacent pickets. In Michigan summers, humidity can temporarily close those gaps. Come fall and winter, they open back up. Within two to three years, a side by side fence that initially looked solid can have visible sightlines through the panel. That defeats the core purpose of a privacy fence.
Board on board fences don’t have this problem. The overlap between pickets means there’s no direct line of sight through the fence, even after years of wood movement. Whether the pickets shrink or expand, the overlapping pattern blocks the view. For homeowners focused on pet containment, child safety, or simply keeping the backyard private from neighbors and street traffic, board on board consistently outperforms side by side over the long haul. This is one reason wood fence installation consultations almost always include a discussion about which style best matches the homeowner’s privacy goals.
Wind Resistance and Structural Integrity
A solid, gapless side by side fence acts like a wall against wind. That sounds like a benefit, but it’s actually a structural liability. When a strong wind pushes against a fully solid fence panel, the force transfers directly into the fence posts and their concrete footings. In extreme weather — which Metro Detroit sees regularly, from spring thunderstorms to late fall windstorms — that concentrated force can crack footings, lean posts, or snap rails. A leaning post or broken top rail isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it means the fence has lost structural integrity.
Board on board fences allow air to pass through the small gaps between overlapping pickets. This reduces the wind load on each panel, which takes pressure off the line posts, corner posts, and terminal posts. The result is a fence that holds up better in high winds without leaning or pulling loose from its footings. If you’ve seen a neighbor’s fence get knocked down in a storm while yours stayed standing, there’s a good chance the difference came down to construction style and how the posts were set — depth of post hole, quality of concrete footing, and gravel base all play a role too.
Material Costs and Wood Usage
Picket Count Per Linear Foot
Side by side fences use fewer pickets to cover the same linear footage as a board on board fence. For a standard six-foot privacy fence using dog ear pickets that are five and a half inches wide, a side by side design needs roughly 22 pickets per 10 linear feet. A board on board design covering the same run needs closer to 30 to 32 pickets for the same footage, depending on the overlap. That’s a meaningful difference in lumber costs. For longer fence lines — say 150 linear feet or more — the extra material adds up.
That said, the additional cost of board on board is often worth it over a 10 to 20 year ownership window. A side by side fence that develops gaps, warps badly, or loses pickets prematurely costs money in repairs or early replacement. Comparing the full lifecycle costs — not just the upfront installation quote — gives a more accurate picture. Reading about how long does a wood fence last helps homeowners frame those long-term expectations against the upfront investment in the right style.
Cedar vs Pressure-Treated Pine for Each Style
Both board on board and side by side fences can be built with cedar or pressure-treated pine. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, lighter, and holds stain well. It’s a premium material that performs especially well in board on board construction, where the slight weight difference per picket multiplied across hundreds of boards matters for long-term post load. Pressure-treated pine is denser, heavier, and chemically treated to resist rot and insect damage. It’s a cost-effective choice for side by side fences and holds up well when properly sealed and maintained. For a full comparison of these materials, the breakdown on cedar vs pressure treated fence: which wood is better covers the performance differences in detail.
Maintenance Requirements for Both Styles
Staining, Sealing, and Cleaning
Both fence styles need routine maintenance to reach their full lifespan. Staining and sealing are the most important steps. A penetrating wood stain with a UV-blocking formula protects cedar and pressure-treated pine from sun bleaching, moisture infiltration, and surface cracking. Most wood fences should be stained or sealed every two to three years, depending on sun exposure and the quality of the product applied. Pressure washing before any stain application removes mildew, dirt, and old surface coatings so the new product bonds properly. For a practical breakdown of product types and color options, the guide on best wood fence stain colors and types is a solid resource.
Board on board fences require slightly more attention during staining because the overlapping pickets create areas where moisture can get trapped between boards if the stain isn’t applied thoroughly. A brush or roller typically does a better job than a sprayer on board on board construction because it works the product into the overlapping edges. Side by side fences are easier to coat evenly because every picket face is fully exposed. Neither style is especially difficult to maintain, but skipping maintenance cycles accelerates wood rot, loose pickets, and broken rails on both designs. The detailed advice in wood fence maintenance tips to extend its lifespan applies to both styles.
Preventing Post Rot and Structural Failure
Post rot is the leading cause of premature fence failure in Michigan. Whether you’re looking at a board on board or side by side fence, the fence posts are the foundation. Posts set without a proper gravel base at the bottom of the post hole will sit in standing water, which accelerates rot even in pressure-treated pine. The frost line in Metro Detroit sits at approximately 42 inches below grade, which means fence posts should be set to a depth of at least 48 inches to stay stable through frost heave cycles. Using concrete footings mixed to the right consistency and allowing proper cure time matters just as much as post depth. The full breakdown on how to prevent wood fence rot covers post protection, wood treatment, and ground contact best practices.
Aesthetic Differences and Style Variations
Appearance from Both Sides
Side by side fences have a clear front and back. The smooth face of the pickets faces outward, and the rails and post brackets are visible from the interior side. This is fine for most residential applications, but it means one neighbor gets the finished face and the other sees the structural framing. Some HOA guidelines or city ordinances in Metro Detroit communities specify which face of the fence must face outward, so it’s worth checking local setback requirements and HOA approval rules before finalizing a design.
Board on board fences in a true good neighbor configuration alternate pickets on both faces of the top rail and bottom rail, giving both sides a similar appearance. This is a genuine advantage in situations where both properties benefit equally from the fence. The alternating pattern also adds visual depth and texture that a flat side by side fence doesn’t have. Homeowners interested in more contemporary aesthetics often explore horizontal fence layouts as well — the design ideas and cost breakdown in horizontal wood fence ideas and cost considerations covers that territory thoroughly.
Post Caps, Gate Hardware, and Finishing Details
The finishing details on both fence styles make a significant difference in the final appearance and longevity. Post caps protect the top of each fence post from direct water infiltration, which is one of the primary entry points for post rot. Decorative post caps in cedar or metal add a finished look to both board on board and side by side designs. Gate hardware — specifically hinges, latches, and gate frames — needs to be heavy-duty enough to support the gate’s weight without causing gate drag or latch failure over time. Galvanized steel or powder-coated metal hardware outlasts standard zinc hardware in Michigan’s wet winters.
Which Style Is Right for Your Metro Detroit Property
Factors That Point Toward Board on Board
Board on board is the stronger choice when long-term privacy is the top priority, when wind exposure is significant, or when the fence will be viewed equally from both sides. Homeowners with corner lots, properties adjacent to busy streets, or yards that see frequent wind off open fields benefit the most from the overlapping picket design. The slightly higher upfront cost in materials is offset by better durability, more consistent privacy, and lower risk of structural issues from seasonal wood movement. A Metro Detroit fence company with decades of experience can walk you through how each style has performed in your specific neighborhood’s conditions.
Factors That Point Toward Side by Side
Side by side fencing makes sense when budget is the primary concern and the fence will be maintained consistently throughout its life. On shorter fence runs — under 100 linear feet — the material cost savings are more modest, but on large perimeter projects, side by side can represent a meaningful reduction in total project cost. It’s also a good option when the fence is primarily decorative or when the property is sheltered from strong winds by existing structures or mature trees. The key is committing to proper maintenance: regular sealing, prompt replacement of cracked or warped pickets, and annual inspection of post stability and gate hardware.
Making the Right Choice for Your Fence Project
Both board on board and side by side wood fences are legitimate, proven choices for residential privacy fencing in Metro Detroit. The right answer depends on your budget, your privacy expectations, your exposure to wind and sun, and how consistently you plan to maintain the fence over its lifetime. Board on board costs more upfront but delivers better privacy retention, better wind performance, and more even appearance from both sides of the property line. Side by side costs less initially and is easier to coat during staining, but it’s more vulnerable to gap formation and wind load over time.
Working with an experienced installer who understands Michigan soil conditions, local frost line depth, and the specific demands of our climate makes a significant difference in how either fence style performs long-term. Post hole depth, concrete footing quality, proper post spacing, and the right wood species for your project are all variables that affect how the fence holds up year after year. Eastside Fence has been helping homeowners across Warren, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Troy, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, and communities throughout Metro Detroit build fences that last — and choosing the right construction style from the start is where every great fence project begins.