Wood Fence Installation in Alhambra, CA

Termites Are the Real Enemy

Subterranean termites are active throughout the San Gabriel Valley, and a wood post set directly into soil is a direct invitation. This is the single most common cause of premature wood fence failure locally — the panels look fine while the posts quietly fail below grade, and the first sign is a section leaning after a windy night.

How we address it:

• Pressure-treated posts rated for ground contact, or steel posts with wood panels
• Concrete footings that set the post above the soil line rather than embedding untreated wood in dirt
• Proper drainage at the footing so water doesn't pool against the post base
• Ground clearance at the bottom of pickets so the fence isn't wicking soil moisture

Sun Is the Second Enemy

Southern California UV exposure is relentless and year-round. Untreated wood grays, dries, cups, and splits far faster here than in milder climates. Redwood and cedar both carry natural oils that resist rot and insects better than pine, which is why we default to them — but even they need a UV-protective stain or sealer, reapplied every few years, to hold color and prevent checking.

Styles

• Dog-ear privacy — the standard six-foot rear yard fence
• Board-on-board — overlapping boards for full privacy with no gaps as boards shrink
• Shadowbox — alternating boards, finished on both sides, good for shared property lines
• Horizontal — modern look, popular on renovated properties
• Picket — for front yards, at the three-foot Alhambra limit

Remember the Finished Side Rule

Alhambra's code requires the finished side of perimeter fencing to face adjacent properties. Board-on-board and shadowbox styles sidestep the awkwardness entirely by looking finished from both sides — worth considering for a shared line.