Cap-and-Trim Cedar Fence Built to Last

There's a right way to build a fence and a fast way. We always go with the right way. This cap-and-trim cedar build is a good example of what that actually looks like when it's done.

The cap-and-trim style isn't just about looks - though it does look sharp. That top cap runs the full length of the fence and protects the exposed end grain of every board underneath it. End grain soaks up moisture faster than any other part of the wood. Cap it off properly, and you're adding real years to the life of the fence. Skip it, and you're looking at warping and rot a lot sooner than you'd expect.

We drove metal posts for this one rather than wood. It's a detail that matters more than most people realize. Metal doesn't rot, it doesn't shift the way wood can over time, and it gives the whole structure a solid, stable foundation. The cedar boards can do their job without the posts working against them down the road.

Fresh cedar has that clean, bright look you see here - tight boards, consistent spacing, a trim line across the top that's level and even. It's the kind of fence that makes a yard feel finished. And when the build is solid underneath, it stays looking that way.

We left the site clean and the fence ready to go. No loose debris, no half-finished details. Just a well-built fence that does exactly what it's supposed to do.