Shadowbox fencing, favored for its enclosures, is distinguished by its unique alternating board design on both sides, ensuring privacy and a consistent appearance. Referred to as a board-on-board fence, the shadowbox style resembles traditional picket fences, though it typically commands a higher price for installation. Many homeowners regard shadowbox fencing as an improvement over regular privacy fences, valuing it highly for its aesthetic appeal.

The national average cost to install a shadowbox fence is $4,500, depending on fence height, and quality of wood used. Labor costs are between $35 – $45 per hour, depending on the fence size and job complexity.

Homeowners can install shadowbox fencing in either full or partial privacy configurations, which is a significant benefit of shadowbox fences.

The average cost of installing a shadow box fence ranges from $12 to $22 per linear foot. Hourly labor cost to install a shadow box fence starts from $35 per hour and can reach up to $45 per hour depending on the scope of work. Material costs for a shadow box fence are between $9.25 to $14 per linear foot.

Shadowbox fence costQTYLowHigh
Shadow-box fence materials costper linear foot$9.25 $14
Shadow-box fence cost (installed)per linear foot$12$22
Shadow-box fence cost labor costPer hour$35$45
Shadow-box fence cost (installed)400 linear ft.$1,200$2,200

Shadow-box fencing cost by type

A shadowbox fence is available in various styles, materials, and wood types. The cedar shadowbox fence is the most popular wood type because of its durability, low maintenance, and excellent water-resistance properties. The table below shows the cost of each shadowbox fence type.

Shadowbox fence typeQTYLowHigh
Pressure-treated PinePer linear foot $12$15
Basic Cedar shadowbox Per linear foot $13$17
Quality Cedar shadowboxPer linear foot $14$20
Vinyl shadowboxPer linear foot $18$22

Pressure-treated Pine

Installing a 400 sq. ft, 4-ft high pressure-treated pine shadowbox fence costs between $1,200 and $1,500, or $12 to $15 per linear foot depending on materials quality. A shadowbox picket fence has pickets on both sides of the fence rails/runners resulting in additional material and labor costs.

Pressure treated Pine

Basic Cedar shadowbox

It costs between $1,300 and $1,700 to install 400 sq. ft of 4-ft high basic cedar shadowbox privacy fence. A basic cedar shadowbox fence consumes twice as many materials as a traditional cedar privacy fence of similar dimensions. Low prices of unfinished 1×6-inch by 8-ft and 4×4-inch by 8-ft, cedar lumber range from $24.98 to $31.98, making a basic cedar shadowbox fence a more expensive fencing option. However, a cost-saving advantage of basic cedar shadowbox fencing is the absence of stain or other protective coatings, which adds to lumber costs.

Basic Cedar shadowbox

Quality Cedar shadowbox

The cost to install a quality cedar shadowbox fence ranges from $14 to $30 per linear foot or $1,400 to $3,000 for a 400 sq. ft fence, depending on the quality of materials used. Pre-finished cedar boards cost more than basic cedar boards, and these, along with the design of the shadowbox fence, increase material costs significantly.