🌲 Board-on-Board Fence Calculator
Calculate materials and costs for board-on-board fence
Common: 5.5" (1×6)
Gap between boards
Distance between posts
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Fence Dimensions
Input fence length and height in feet. These define the overall fence size for material calculations.
Enter Board Specifications
Input board width and spacing in inches. Common board widths: 5.5" (1×6), 7.25" (1×8). Board spacing is the gap between boards (typically 0.5-1").
Enter Post and Rail Information
Input post spacing in feet (typically 6-8 feet) and number of rails (typically 2-3 rails). These affect post and rail quantities.
Calculate and Review
Click "Calculate Board-on-Board Fence" to see total boards needed, posts, rails, concrete, and cost estimates. Use this for material planning and cost estimation.
Formula
Boards Per Side = ⌈Fence Height / (Board Width + Spacing)⌉
Total Boards = Boards Per Side × 2 (front and back)
Number of Posts = ⌈Fence Length / Post Spacing⌉ + 1
Board Linear Feet = Total Boards × Fence Length
Example 1: 100 ft × 6 ft fence, 5.5" boards, 0.5" spacing
Step 1: Board Coverage = 5.5" + 0.5" = 6" = 0.5 ft
Step 2: Boards Per Side = ⌈6 / 0.5⌉ = 12 boards
Step 3: Total Boards = 12 × 2 = 24 boards (both sides)
Step 4: Board Linear Feet = 24 × 100 = 2,400 linear feet
Step 5: Number of Posts (8 ft spacing) = ⌈100 / 8⌉ + 1 = 14 posts
About Board-on-Board Fence Calculator
The Board-on-Board Fence Calculator is an essential tool for homeowners, contractors, and fence builders who need to calculate materials and costs for board-on-board fence construction. This calculator implements geometric and material formulas to determine number of boards, posts, rails, concrete, and cost estimates for board-on-board fences.
When to Use This Calculator
- Fence Planning: Calculate materials needed for board-on-board fence construction
- Material Estimation: Determine boards, posts, rails, and concrete quantities
- Cost Estimation: Estimate material costs for budget planning
- Project Planning: Plan materials for fence construction projects
- Educational Use: Learn and understand board-on-board fence calculations
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Complete Materials: Shows boards, posts, rails, and concrete requirements
- ✅ Cost Estimates: Provides approximate cost estimates for materials
- ✅ Accurate Formulas: Uses standard fence construction formulas
- ✅ Board-on-Board Specific: Accounts for boards on both sides
- ✅ Time Savings: Instant calculations eliminate manual math
Understanding Board-on-Board Fences
Basic Principle: Board-on-board fences have boards on both sides of the fence with gaps between boards, providing privacy while allowing air flow. Boards per side are calculated as ⌈Fence Height / (Board Width + Spacing)⌉. Total boards = Boards per side × 2 (front and back sides).
Board Spacing: Board spacing is the gap between boards, typically 0.5-1 inch. Spacing affects privacy (smaller spacing = more privacy) and air flow (larger spacing = more air flow). Typical spacing: 0.5" for privacy, 1" for air flow.
Material Requirements: Board-on-board fences require more boards than solid fences because boards are on both sides. Typical material: 1×6 boards (5.5" wide), 4×4 posts (every 6-8 feet), 2×4 rails (2-3 rails per section), concrete for post holes.
Tips for Best Results
- Accurate Dimensions: Measure fence length and height accurately
- Correct Board Width: Use actual board width (not nominal) for accurate calculations
- Account for Overlap: Board-on-board has boards on both sides, so count both
- Add Safety Margin: Add 5-10% extra for waste and cutting
- Verify Local Prices: Check local material prices for accurate cost estimates
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate boards for a board-on-board fence?
Boards Per Side = ⌈Fence Height / (Board Width + Spacing)⌉. Total Boards = Boards Per Side × 2 (front and back). For example, 6 ft height, 5.5" boards, 0.5" spacing: Boards Per Side = ⌈6 / (5.5/12 + 0.5/12)⌉ = ⌈6 / 0.5⌉ = 12 boards per side, Total = 24 boards. The calculator does this automatically.
What is the difference between board-on-board and solid fence?
Board-on-board fence has boards on both sides with gaps between boards, providing privacy while allowing air flow. Solid fence has boards on one side only with no gaps, providing maximum privacy but less air flow. Board-on-board requires more boards (both sides) but provides better ventilation.
How many posts do I need for a board-on-board fence?
Number of Posts = ⌈Fence Length / Post Spacing⌉ + 1. For example, 100 ft fence, 8 ft post spacing: Posts = ⌈100 / 8⌉ + 1 = 13 + 1 = 14 posts. The +1 accounts for the end post. Typical post spacing: 6-8 feet. The calculator does this automatically.
How much concrete do I need for fence posts?
Concrete per post ≈ π × (Hole Radius)² × Hole Depth. For 6" diameter hole, 2 ft depth: Volume = π × (0.25)² × 2 = 0.39 cu ft per post. For 14 posts: Total = 14 × 0.39 = 5.46 cu ft = 0.20 cubic yards. Add 20% for waste. The calculator does this automatically.
What board width should I use for board-on-board fence?
Common board widths: 5.5" (1×6 nominal, actual 5.5"), 7.25" (1×8 nominal, actual 7.25"). Narrower boards (5.5") provide more privacy with same spacing. Wider boards (7.25") use fewer boards but larger gaps. Choose based on desired appearance and privacy level.