Fence Styles · Split Rail
Split Rail & Post-and-Rail Fences
Open rail fencing that marks the line and gives acreage a ranch look without blocking the land.
- Free written estimatesItemized, no obligation
- Fully insuredLiability & workers’ comp
- 18-month warrantyOn our workmanship
- FinancingThrough Hearth
- As seen on HGTVThe 76 Fence family
The look
Rails, posts, and open space
Split rail fencing uses rough-split rails that slide into holes cut through the posts, two or three rails high. Post-and-rail, sometimes called board fence, nails sawn boards onto square posts for a tidier take on the same idea.
Both usually stand between three and four-plus feet, mark a boundary, and leave the view open. Along a county road, at the head of a gravel drive, or across a front pasture under the pines, they look like they belong.
Variants
Rail fence options
Split rail
Rough, rustic rails in mortised posts. Two-rail for decoration, three-rail for more presence.
Post-and-rail / board
Milled boards on square posts, stained or painted, often three or four boards high for paddocks.
Farm & ranch
Rail with wire mesh
Mesh fastened behind the rails, welded wire or no-climb, so the fence holds dogs or livestock.
Prefer no painting? Vinyl post-and-rail gives the same layout. See vinyl.
Pros & trade-offs
Rail fencing, weighed up
Strengths
- Keeps the land and the view open.
- Fewer materials per foot than a solid fence.
- Wind passes straight through.
- Classic look on frontage and drives.
Limits
- No privacy and little security.
- Won’t hold pets without added mesh.
- Wood rails need sealing in our humidity.
- Long runs depend on solid ends and corners.
Local conditions
Rail fences in humid, stormy country
- Moisture. Posts rot first where the ground stays wet. We set them for the soil, and a sealer on the wood slows decay.
- Sun. Untreated rails gray quickly. Some owners like that weathered look; others stain to keep the color.
- Storms. Limbs knock rails out of their posts. Most come back with a single replacement rail.
- Long runs. Solid end and corner posts keep the line straight, after a Texas 811 locate.
Good fit for
Where rail fencing shines
- Road frontage
- Driveway entrances
- Front pastures
- Horse paddocks
- Garden and yard borders on acreage
On a subdivision lot, a short rail run can frame a front yard or driveway, if your community allows front-yard fencing.
Questions
Rail fence questions
Will a split rail fence hold my dog?
Not by itself. We attach welded wire or no-climb mesh to the inside of the rails, which keeps dogs in while the fence keeps its open look.
Two rails or three?
Two rails is the lighter, more decorative look. Three rails stands taller and does a better job with horses or as a frame for wire mesh.
How long does a wood rail fence last?
It depends on the wood, ground contact, and upkeep. Posts in wet ground fail first. A sealer on the rails and posts set for the soil add years, and vinyl rail skips the sealing altogether.
Lining a drive or a pasture?
Call or text (713) 331-9419 to price a rail fence for your land.