Board-on-Board vs Horizontal Slat
Choosing between Board-on-Board and Horizontal Slat fencing? Board-on-Board and Horizontal Slat are two popular privacy fence styles, each with distinct advantages. Here's a detailed comparison of design, installation, pros, and cons.
Overview
Board-on-board fences feature overlapping vertical boards on alternating sides of the rails, creating a fence that looks the same from both sides. This 'good neighbor' design provides privacy while allowing air to flow through the overlapping gaps, reducing wind load.
Horizontal slat fences feature boards running horizontally between posts, creating a sleek, contemporary look. Popular in modern and mid-century home designs, they can be built with gaps for a semi-private screen or tight together for full privacy. Commonly constructed from cedar, redwood, or composite boards.
Common Uses
Board-on-Board
- ✓ Shared property lines
- ✓ Backyard privacy
- ✓ Wind-resistant installations
- ✓ Neighbor-friendly boundaries
Horizontal Slat
- ✓ Modern home privacy
- ✓ Contemporary landscaping
- ✓ Front yard screening
- ✓ Deck and patio enclosures
- ✓ Architectural accents
Pros & Cons
Board-on-Board
- + Looks great from both sides
- + Allows airflow — reduces wind damage
- + Provides good privacy with overlapping boards
- + Stronger construction than flat panel
- + Excellent for shared boundaries
- − Uses 30-50% more lumber than standard privacy
- − Higher cost due to extra materials
- − Small gaps visible at angles
- − More complex to build than flat panel
- − Heavier than standard privacy fence
Horizontal Slat
- + Striking modern aesthetic
- + Highly customizable spacing and materials
- + Creates a sense of wider space
- + Works with wood, composite, or metal
- + Excellent for contemporary landscapes
- − More expensive due to labor and precision
- − Horizontal boards can sag without proper support
- − Easier to climb than vertical fences
- − Requires quality lumber to prevent warping
- − Not traditional — may conflict with HOA rules
Which Is Better: Board-on-Board or Horizontal Slat?
Choose Board-on-Board if you need:
- ✓ Shared property boundaries
- ✓ Windy locations
- ✓ Neighborhoods requiring same look on both sides
- ✓ Privacy with airflow
Choose Horizontal Slat if you need:
- ✓ Modern and contemporary homes
- ✓ Architectural design statements
- ✓ Front yards seeking curb appeal
- ✓ Mid-century home renovations
Board-on-Board is not recommended for:
- × Maximum privacy (small gaps exist)
- × Budget projects (uses more lumber)
- × Simple, quick installations
Horizontal Slat is not recommended for:
- × Traditional or colonial-style homes
- × DIY beginners (precise alignment critical)
- × Budget projects
Published February 15, 2026
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