Reno Solid Fence routes horizontal and modern fence requests to independent fence contractors who hold Nevada licenses and work in the Reno area. Horizontal boards on black steel posts have become the signature look of newer high-desert landscaping, and they need a different build than a picket fence.
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Why horizontal fences are built differently
On a picket fence, rails carry the boards. On a horizontal fence, each board spans post to post by itself, so the post spacing is limited by how far a board can run without sagging or bowing. That usually means posts closer together than a picket fence and thicker boards on longer spans. Many builds use galvanized or powder-coated steel posts with brackets, which stay straight and are slim enough to disappear behind the boards.
Gap or no gap
A small gap between boards reads as modern, lets wind pass and allows wood to swell and shrink without buckling. Tight boards give full privacy but behave like a solid wall in the Washoe Zephyr. A narrow gap is a common compromise for a 6-foot backyard fence.
Board materials
- Cedar: the most common; warm color that grays without a UV-blocking finish. Expect to re-stain on a schedule in high-elevation sun.
- Composite: wood fiber and plastic boards in fence profiles; no staining, heavier, and may need closer post spacing. Color and heat behavior vary by brand.
- Aluminum slats: powder-coated and noncombustible, a practical choice next to the house where Washoe County's wildland-urban interface code requires the fence within 5 feet of a building to be noncombustible.
- Vinyl: some systems offer horizontal panels; ask about wind ratings.
Heights and setbacks
Style does not change the limits: 6 feet on side and rear lines in Reno and unincorporated Washoe County; 4 feet in a Reno required front yard and 4½ feet in a Washoe County front setback. A low horizontal fence works well as a front-yard accent under those limits. Inside the City of Reno a permit is required for fence construction, and HOA approval goes on the plot plan where it applies.
Price drivers
We did not find a reliable published premium for horizontal over vertical fences, so ask for line-item quotes. Board species and thickness, post material, post spacing, the number of boards per foot of height, gates and hardware are what change the price. Compare against the wood fence cost ranges as a baseline.
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