Prices last reviewed: October 2026
What is a board-on-board fence?
A board-on-board fence has two layers of pickets on the same side of the rails. The back layer is spaced with gaps, and the front layer covers those gaps, overlapping the back boards on both sides. Because the boards overlap, no gaps open up when the wood dries and shrinks, so you keep full privacy for the life of the fence. The layered boards also give it more depth than a flat side-by-side fence.
How many pickets does a board-on-board fence need?
Each 1x6 picket is 5.5 in wide. With a 1 in overlap on each side, every board covers 4.5 in of fence on average.
pickets = fence length (in) / (picket width − overlap)
| Overlap | Per 8 ft section | For 100 ft, with 10% extra |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 19.2 | 264 |
| 1 in | 21.3 | 294 |
| 1.5 in | 24 | 330 |
A side-by-side privacy fence of the same length needs about 240 pickets including waste, so board-on-board with a 1 in overlap uses about 22 percent more pickets. Change the overlap under Advanced settings.
Board-on-board vs side-by-side cost
Posts, rails and concrete are the same for both styles. Only the pickets and screws change. Here is a straight 100 ft fence with no gate at the calculator's default prices:
| Height | Side-by-side pickets | Side-by-side total | Board-on-board pickets | Board-on-board total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 240 | $1,351 | 294 | $1,508 |
| 6 ft | 240 | $1,712 | 294 | $1,921 |
| 8 ft | 240 | $2,864 | 294 | $3,250 |
For a 6 ft fence, board-on-board costs about 12 percent more in materials. With professional installation, add about $16 per foot for board-on-board compared with $14 for side by side, since hanging two layers takes longer.
How to build a board-on-board fence
- Set the posts 8 ft apart and let the concrete cure.
- Attach the rails, three per section for a 6 ft fence and four for 8 ft.
- Hang the back layer. With a 1 in overlap, leave a 3.5 in gap between boards. A scrap board ripped to 3.5 in makes a quick spacer.
- Hang the front layer centered over each gap, so it overlaps the back boards by 1 in on both sides.
- Fasten each picket with two screws at every rail.
On a 6 ft fence with three rails, that is six screws per picket. For 100 ft, the calculator counts about 1,920 screws, so buy screws in bulk.
More fence calculators
- Privacy fence calculator to compare board-on-board with panels and vinyl
- Wood fence calculator for every wood fence style
- Fence post calculator for posts and concrete
Frequently asked questions
How many pickets are in an 8 ft section of board-on-board fence?
About 21 to 22 pickets with a 1 in overlap. With a 1.5 in overlap you need 24, and with a 0.5 in overlap about 19.
How much more does board-on-board cost than a regular privacy fence?
In our 100 ft, 6 ft example, about 12 percent more in materials, $1,921 compared with $1,712. Labor also costs a little more because there are more boards to hang.
What gap should I leave between back boards?
For 5.5 in pickets and a 1 in overlap on each side, leave a 3.5 in gap between back boards. The front board then covers the gap plus 1 in on each side.
Does a board-on-board fence need more posts?
No. It uses the same posts, rails and concrete as a side-by-side privacy fence. Only the number of pickets and screws goes up.
How many screws do I need for a board-on-board fence?
Two screws per picket at each rail, plus a few for the rails themselves. A 100 ft, 6 ft fence with three rails needs about 1,920 screws.
Is board-on-board the same as a shadowbox fence?
No. Board-on-board puts both layers on the same side of the rails and overlaps them for full privacy. A shadowbox fence alternates boards on opposite sides of the rails with a gap between them. It lets air through and looks the same from both sides, but you can see through it at an angle.