Tropical hardwood fence
Fencing

Premium Hardwood Fencing

Build a fence that lasts 40+ years with naturally rot-resistant tropical hardwood. Stunning aesthetics, unmatched durability, zero chemical treatments.

40+ Year Lifespan
No Rot or Decay
Natural Insect Resistance

What is Hardwood Fencing?

Tropical hardwood fencing uses premium species like Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa for fence pickets, rails, and posts. These naturally dense woods resist rot, decay, and insects without chemical treatment—outlasting cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine by decades.

Expect a 40-75 year lifespan depending on species and climate, as supported by durability research from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. Most customers never replace their hardwood fence. See Janka hardness ratings or compare species.

Shop Fencing by Species

Choose your preferred hardwood species for fencing — each offers a unique combination of density, color, and value.

Quick Comparison

SpeciesJankaLifespanColorBest For
Ipe3,684Up to 75+ yrsOlive-brown Olive-brown toMaximum durabilityView Ipe →
Cumaru3,33050+ yrsReddish-brown Reddish-brown toBest valueView Cumaru →
Tigerwood2,16040+ yrsOrange-brown Orange-brown withVisual statementView Tigerwood →
Garapa1,63030+ yrsGolden-yellow Golden-yellow toCedar alternativeView Garapa →
Massaranduba3,19050+ yrsDeep Deep reddish-brownRedwood replacementView Massaranduba →
Red Balau2,70040+ yrsWarm Warm red-brownValue + densityView Red Balau →

Fence Systems We Support

Vertical Picket

Classic privacy fencing

Horizontal Slat

Modern architectural style

Board-on-Board

Both-sided privacy

Custom Design

Architectural & specialty

Shop Fencing Materials

Browse our selection of fence boards, posts, and rails. Configure by species, size, and grade.

Installation Planning Guide

Post Spacing

Standard spacing: 6-8 feet on center. Closer spacing (6') recommended for taller fences or high-wind areas.

Posts should be set 2-3 feet deep in concrete for stability.

Rails

Use 2x4 or 2x6 rails. Two rails for fences up to 5', three rails for 6'+ fences.

Rails can be face-mounted or notched into posts.

Pickets

1x4, 1x6, or 5/4x6 pickets are most common. Calculate pickets based on desired gap spacing.

Typical gap: 0" (privacy), 1/2"-1" (semi-privacy), 2"+ (decorative).

Best Practices

  • • Pre-drill all screw holes to prevent splitting
  • • Use stainless steel fasteners only
  • • Seal cut ends with end-grain sealer
  • • Allow 1/2" gap at bottom for drainage

Frequently Asked Questions

Divide your total fence length by 6 or 8 feet. For a 48' fence with 8' spacing, you need 7 posts (48÷8=6 sections + 1 end post).

Use 2 rails for fences under 5 feet, 3 rails for 6-foot fences. Rails should be 2x4 or 2x6 dimensional lumber.

Calculate: (Total fence length ÷ (picket width + gap)) + 10% waste. Example: 100' fence with 5.5" pickets and 0" gap = ~218 pickets + 10% = 240 pickets.

Yes. Add 10-15% for cuts, defects, and design adjustments. Better to have extra than run short mid-project.

Sealing is optional but recommended if you want to maintain the original brown color. Without sealing, wood will naturally silver to a gray patina over 6-12 months.

All tropical hardwoods work well. Ipe offers the highest durability, Cumaru is a cost-effective alternative, and Garapa provides a lighter color option. Compare all species.

Fence Layout Diagrams

Vertical Picket Fence

Vertical picket fence technical diagram showing posts, rails, and pickets with dimensions

Standard vertical picket: Posts spaced 8', three horizontal rails, vertical pickets with gaps

Horizontal Slat Fence

Horizontal slat fence technical diagram showing posts and horizontal boards with dimensions

Horizontal slat: Posts spaced 8', horizontal boards run between posts for modern look

Get Help Planning Your Fence

Need assistance with material calculations or design? Our team is here to help.

Why Choose Hardwood Fencing?

Unmatched Durability

40-75 year lifespan with minimal maintenance. Outlasts cedar and PT lumber by decades.

Natural Beauty

Rich grain patterns and warm tones. Ages to elegant silver or maintain with oil finish.

Low Maintenance

No painting, staining, or sealing required. Just occasional cleaning to keep it looking great.

Ready to Build Your Hardwood Fence?

Get a custom quote for your project or browse our fencing materials.