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We specialize in wood fence installation in Bethlehem, PA that combines classic charm with dependable strength. Whether you want a picket fence, tall privacy fence, or custom board on board style, we use quality lumber and hardware for long lasting results. Our crews set solid posts, install straight lines, and finish details that make your wood fence stand out.
Legendary Fence Company Bethlehem provides professional wood fence throughout Bethlehem, PA, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 610-839-8803 or request your free quote.
Wood fence installation in Bethlehem that fits how you actually live
Legendary Fence Company Bethlehem installs wood fences for real Bethlehem properties, not cookie cutter layouts. Before we talk about style, we walk the line of your yard with you, look at grade changes, tree roots, existing retaining walls, and where snow drifts in winter. That on site look is how we decide whether you need stepped panels, racked (contoured) sections, heavier posts at corners, or special brackets by masonry.
We ask specific questions: Do you have kids or dogs that will test the fence daily. Do you back up to a busy street like Easton Avenue and need more privacy and sound reduction. Do you plan to stain the fence, or do you want a lower maintenance solution. Your answers guide everything else, from lumber choice to hardware.
Because we work across Bethlehem, from older South Side lots with tight alleys to larger suburban yards in Bethlehem Township, we are used to tight access, rocky soil, and property lines that do not run perfectly straight. We explain how each of those affects layout, cost, and how long the job will take so there are no surprises once we start digging.
Choosing the right wood, style, and layout for your fence
The most common choice in Bethlehem is pressure treated pine, because it balances cost and durability. It is treated to handle moisture and insects, which matters with Lehigh Valley freeze and thaw cycles. For customers who want a more premium look, we also install western red cedar. Cedar costs more but is lighter, more stable, and naturally resistant to decay, so it tends to stay straighter and takes stain very well.
For privacy, many of our Bethlehem homeowners ask for 6 foot stockade or board on board designs. Stockade uses tightly butted vertical pickets on one side, which is budget friendly and blocks sightlines. Board on board layers two rows of boards that overlap, so even when the wood shrinks you do not get gaps. If wind is a concern, for example in open areas near Route 33, we may suggest shadowbox. It provides privacy at an angle but lets air pass through, which reduces wind load on the fence.
For front yards and decorative boundaries, we install picket fences, cap and trim styles, and horizontal slat fences. We talk through how each option affects maintenance and privacy. A horizontal fence looks modern but needs more precise framing and often higher grade lumber to stay straight. Pickets are more forgiving and cost less. We also recommend where to include gates, double drive gates for off street parking, and how wide to make them so mowers, trailers, and equipment actually fit.
Our step by step wood fence installation process
Once you approve a design and quote from Legendary Fence Company Bethlehem, we handle the details in a clear sequence so the job stays organized.
1. Layout and utility marking: We call 811 and wait for utilities to be marked. On site, we pull string lines, mark post locations with paint, and double check corners and setbacks against your survey if available. If property lines are uncertain, we point that out and can adjust the fence inside the line to avoid disputes.
2. Post hole excavation: We typically set posts 8 feet on center or less, with depths around 30 to 36 inches depending on soil and fence height. In areas along the hillier north side of Bethlehem where ledge and rock are common, we may need to core through rock or adjust spacing slightly. We use augers sized to give the right concrete coverage around each post.
3. Setting posts: We use pressure treated 4x4 or 6x6 posts, depending on fence height and gate load. Posts are set in concrete, crowned at the top for water runoff, and braced to stay plumb. We pay close attention to corner and gate posts, sometimes increasing size or depth because those take the most stress.
4. Framing and panels: After concrete has cured enough to hold the posts solidly, we install horizontal rails, then attach pickets or boards. For sloped yards, we either step the panels or follow the grade. Before we start, we discuss which look you prefer and what works with your lawn mowing pattern.
5. Gates and hardware: We build gate frames with extra blocking and use heavy duty hinges and latches, not light hardware that sags after one winter. If you have children, we can install self closing hinges and lockable latches at specific heights.
6. Cleanup and walkthrough: We remove leftover materials, rake disturbed soil, and walk the fence line with you. This is when we explain how the wood will weather, when you can stain or seal it, and what to watch for in the first season as the wood acclimates.
What drives wood fence cost in Bethlehem
Pricing a wood fence is not just so many dollars per foot. Several factors matter, and we explain them clearly so you understand where your money is going.
Material choice is a big driver. Pressure treated pine is the most economical. Cedar or custom hardwoods increase cost but may reduce long term maintenance. Fence height also changes material use and labor. A 6 foot privacy fence uses more lumber and may require deeper or larger posts than a 4 foot decorative fence.
Layout and terrain affect both time and concrete usage. A straight run along a flat backyard in Hanover Township installs faster and with less digging effort than a fence that has multiple corners, weaves around existing trees, or crosses a steep slope. Rocky or compacted soil, which we often hit in older Bethlehem neighborhoods, can slow excavation and sometimes requires alternative footing methods.
Design details add cost but also value. Board on board, lattice tops, cap and trim, and horizontal styles require more cuts and more careful installation. Extra gates, especially double drive gates or custom widths for RVs or trailers, need stronger posts, braces, and heavier hardware. We itemize these in our quotes instead of hiding them in a single blended number.
Permitting and inspections in Bethlehem or Bethlehem Township may have fees or height restrictions, especially for front yards and corner lots. We walk you through those so you know if your plan needs adjustments before we start. Our goal is that when we give you a price, you know exactly what is included and where there could be optional add ons.
Common wood fence issues here and how we prevent them
Bethlehem weather is hard on wood. Hot summers, winter freeze and thaw, and spring rain all stress lumber. Legendary Fence Company Bethlehem builds with that in mind so you do not end up with a fence that leans or rots out too quickly.
The first problem we plan for is post failure. Many older fences in the area rot right at ground level because posts were set too shallow or with poor drainage around the concrete. We set deeper posts, bell out the bottom of holes when possible, and shape the top of each concrete footing so water sheds away from the post. Where the yard stays wet, we may recommend gravel at the base of the hole below the concrete to improve drainage.
Wood movement is another issue. As boards dry out, they can warp or twist. We use properly graded, kiln dried or well seasoned lumber when available, orient growth rings correctly, and use enough fasteners to hold boards in place. On long runs, we break up spans with additional posts or structural elements to reduce shifting.
Insects and decay are real concerns in shaded yards or along tree lines common on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Pressure treated posts and rails help, but we also keep fence components off the ground where possible and avoid trapping leaves and moisture against the base of the fence. During your walkthrough, we show you specific spots in your yard where leaves or snow tend to pile up and explain how that affects the fence over time.
Finally, neighbor and property line disputes can become “issues” if not handled up front. We encourage you to talk with neighbors before installation and, when needed, we can install “good neighbor” styles that look finished on both sides so no one feels stuck with a bad view.
What to know before you hire a wood fence installer
Before you sign with any company, there are a few Bethlehem specific questions you should get answered clearly.
Ask how they handle permits for your municipality, whether it is Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, or a nearby borough. Different areas have different rules for height, setback from sidewalks, and visibility at corners. At Legendary Fence Company Bethlehem we tell you which rules apply to your address and whether we will pull the permit or you will.
Confirm what materials they are using, down to post size, species of wood, and hardware type. Get it in writing. For example, there is a real difference between 4x4 posts set 2 feet deep with light hinges and 6x6 gate posts set over 3 feet deep with heavy strap hinges, especially after two or three winters.
You should also understand the timeline. A typical residential wood fence in Bethlehem might take 1 to 3 days of on site work, depending on size and terrain, but weather and concrete cure times matter. We explain when crews will be there, when concrete needs to set, and when you can start using gates fully.
Finally, ask about maintenance expectations. Wood fences are not set and forget. We recommend a realistic plan for cleaning and sealing or staining and we can suggest brands and colors that have held up well on other Bethlehem projects. When you know the upkeep required, you can decide whether a wood fence fits your long term plans or whether you want to explore other materials.
If you want a straightforward conversation about what a wood fence on your specific property will involve, Legendary Fence Company Bethlehem will walk the yard with you, show you exactly how we would build it, and leave you with a detailed, written proposal you can compare against anyone else.
