Wood fencing remains the most-installed residential fence material in the Midwest. The reasons haven't changed: it's affordable, it's genuinely beautiful — especially in cedar — it's infinitely customizable, and there's a style to fit every property from urban picket to rural split rail. What has changed is the range of wood fence styles that now compete with privacy board-on-board: shadow box, horizontal modern, and spindled top designs that look fresh a decade after install.
Dynasty Restoration builds wood fences in the three common species categories: western red cedar (premium natural rot resistance, beautiful grain, mid-high price), pressure-treated Southern yellow pine (the value choice — affordable, durable with stain), and cypress or redwood where the client specifically wants those species. Post setting, rail sizing, fastening hardware, and finish coat are all coordinated for the Chicago climate.
Wood Fence Styles
Board-on-Board Privacy
Overlapping vertical boards for full privacy. 6 or 8 feet tall. The most common privacy style in Chicagoland.
Shadow Box (Good-Neighbor)
Alternating boards on each side of the rail. Looks good from both sides, allows airflow, slightly less visual privacy than board-on-board.
Horizontal Modern
Boards run horizontally between posts. Clean, modern aesthetic that's become popular on contemporary homes. Requires metal post reinforcement for long runs.
Picket
Decorative open style. 3–4 feet tall traditionally, with pointed, dog-eared, or gothic caps. Great front-yard or accent fence.
Split Rail
Rustic open post-and-rail style. 2 or 3 rails per section. Best for large properties, horse paddocks, and boundary definition without privacy.
Custom & Decorative
Lattice tops, curved tops, alternating-board designs, mixed-material projects. Wood is the most flexible fencing material for custom work.
Cedar vs. Pressure-Treated Pine
Cedar is the premium choice — naturally rot-resistant, dimensionally stable, beautiful grain, and no chemical treatment required. Expect a 20–25 year lifespan with periodic sealing, and the ability to let it silver gracefully to natural gray if you prefer that aesthetic. Cost premium over pressure-treated is typically 40–70%.
Pressure-treated pine is the value pick. Southern yellow pine pressure-treated with modern ACQ or MCA chemicals handles ground contact well and lasts 15–25 years with stain/seal every 3–5 years. Looks fine stained, never as beautiful as cedar unfinished. Best for large runs where budget matters, or shorter-term installs where the homeowner is less concerned with long-term aesthetics.