Calculate overlapping boards, posts, rails, and total cost for a board-on-board fence
$0
0 boards
Overlapping — no gaps ever
Handles wood shrinkage
~35% more lumber
$0
0 boards
Edge-to-edge — gaps appear as wood dries
Lower material cost
Lighter on posts
A board-on-board fence (sometimes called "board and batten" or "overlapping privacy fence") is built by attaching pickets to the rails so that each board overlaps the one next to it by about 1 to 1.5 inches. This overlap means that even as the wood naturally shrinks and dries over months and years, there are never any visible gaps between boards.
Compare this to a standard privacy fence, where boards are placed edge to edge. When the lumber is freshly installed and still contains moisture, a standard privacy fence looks solid. But as the wood dries — which all lumber does — boards shrink by up to a quarter inch, creating gaps that let light, wind, and eyes through.
The overlap is what makes this style use more material. With standard 1×6 boards (5.5 inches actual width) and a 1.5-inch overlap, each board only covers 4 inches of new fence instead of the full 5.5 inches.
This works out to about 3 boards per linear foot, compared to 2.18 for a standard privacy fence — roughly 35% more lumber. For a 150-foot fence, that's approximately 443 boards versus 328 for standard privacy.
Yes, but only in lumber — the posts, rails, concrete, and hardware are identical. The extra cost is entirely in the additional pickets. For a 150-foot fence, expect to spend roughly $375–575 more on boards compared to standard privacy (depending on wood type and local pricing). Many homeowners consider this a worthwhile investment since the fence maintains its appearance much longer.
Board-on-board is the best choice when complete, permanent privacy is the priority. It's especially recommended for fences that face neighbors or busy streets, in dry climates where wood shrinks significantly, and when using lumber with high moisture content that will dry substantially after installation. The style also looks more substantial and finished than a basic privacy fence, which can add to your home's curb appeal.
Because a board-on-board fence uses 35% more lumber, it's heavier and catches more wind than a standard privacy fence. Consider using 6×6 posts instead of 4×4, spacing posts at 6 feet instead of 8 for additional strength, and using 3 bags of concrete per post instead of 2. This is especially important in areas prone to strong winds or storms.
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