Board Fencing in Ocala, FL
3-board, 4-board, and 5-board configurations for horse pastures, cattle farms, and rural properties across Marion County. Creosote treated and pressure treated posts sourced direct from the mill.
Get a Free Estimate ›The Most Common Fence on Marion County Horse and Cattle Properties
Board fencing has been the standard on Central Florida farms for over a century. It is visible, holds up under direct animal contact, and lasts 25 to 40 years in Florida conditions when built right.
Fences R Us has installed board fencing across Marion, Alachua, Citrus, Levy, and Sumter counties since 2003. Every post goes in with creosote treated or pressure treated material sourced direct from the mill. No surface-only treatment. No untreated posts at ground level.
Manny quotes every job after a site visit. He measures the run, checks the terrain, and specs the right post treatment and board count before anything is ordered.
Board fencing is one of five fence types Fences R Us builds under the Farm & Agricultural Fencing service. See that page for the full range of farm fence options available in Central Florida.
Lifespan in Central Florida conditions with proper installation. Actual results vary by soil, animal pressure, and upkeep.
3-Board, 4-Board, and 5-Board Fencing: What Each One Is For
The number of boards determines the height, the gap between boards, and what animals the fence will contain. Here is how each configuration is used in Marion County.
Approximately 48 inches tall. Three boards with wider gaps. Primarily used for cattle perimeters, property borders, and any application where full containment is not the main goal. Lower cost per linear foot than 4 or 5 board.
Best for: cattle, property linesApproximately 54 to 60 inches tall. The most common configuration on Marion County horse farms. Four boards reduce the gap size, which lowers the risk of a horse putting a leg through. Solid for horses and cattle in most pasture applications.
Best for: horses, cattle, general farm useApproximately 60 to 72 inches tall. Five boards with tighter spacing. Used for stallion paddocks, show properties, and any situation where the fence needs to hold a determined horse. Higher cost but maximum visibility and containment.
Best for: stallions, show properties, high-use paddocksHeights are approximate. Final dimensions depend on post length, set depth, and board size specified on your job.
What Goes Into a Board Fence Built by Fences R Us
Post Options
The post is the most important part of any board fence. A post that fails takes the boards with it. Fences R Us uses three post types depending on the application.
| Post Type | Treatment | Lifespan in FL | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creosote Hardwood | Through-treated | 25 to 40 years | Farm and pasture |
| Pressure Treated Pine | CCA or ACQ treated | 15 to 25 years | Residential, light farm |
| Surface Treated | Surface coat only | 10 to 15 years | Not used by Fences R Us |
| Untreated Pine | None | 3 to 6 years | Never recommended in FL |
Board Material
Boards are cut pressure treated pine in most cases. Standard board widths are 6 inches and 8 inches. Thickness is 1 inch nominal. Boards are face-nailed to the posts with ring-shank nails or structural screws, not smooth nails that back out over time.
Mill-Direct Advantage
Fences R Us buys posts and boards direct from the mill. That removes one level of markup from the cost. It also means every piece of material on your job meets the same treatment standard. Inconsistent treatment across a fence run is one of the reasons sections fail at different rates.
Post Spacing
Standard post spacing on board fence is 8 feet on center. This is the industry standard for maintaining board tension and preventing sag. Corner posts, gate posts, and end posts are set closer together and always in concrete.
Rail Height and Board Placement
Boards are spaced to minimize the gap between them while allowing for wood movement as humidity changes. Florida's wet season causes boards to swell and the dry season causes them to contract. Boards set with no gap in the wet season will buckle. Manny accounts for seasonal movement on every job.
Top Board vs Top Rail
Some board fence designs add a top cap rail that sits on top of the post rather than face-nailed to the side. A cap rail protects the post top from rain penetration. Post tops are one of the main points where rot starts on older board fences. Fences R Us can add a cap rail to any board fence job on request.
How Deep Posts Are Set on a Board Fence in Florida
Post depth is the single biggest factor in how long a board fence lasts. Florida's sandy soil does not grip posts the way clay or loam does. Posts set too shallow lean, shift, and eventually fail.
Every post set by Fences R Us is placed in concrete at corners, gates, and ends. Line posts on farm board fence are typically tamped in compacted soil rather than concrete unless the terrain calls for it. Manny assesses soil conditions at each property during the site visit.
Cost Factors for Board Fencing in Ocala, FL
There is no accurate per-foot price for board fencing without measuring the property and assessing the terrain. Here are the factors that move the number up or down.
| Factor | Lower Cost | Higher Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board count | 3-board | 5-board | More boards means more material and labor per linear foot |
| Post type | Pressure treated pine | Creosote hardwood | Creosote costs more but lasts significantly longer |
| Terrain | Flat, clear land | Slopes, tree roots, rock | Difficult terrain adds time and labor cost |
| Linear footage | Longer runs | Short runs | Mobilization cost spreads over more footage on larger jobs |
| Gate count | Few or no gates | Multiple gates | Gate posts require concrete and more labor per opening |
| Existing fence removal | No existing fence | Old fence to remove | Demo and haul-off adds to the total cost |
Manny gives a firm written quote after the site visit. No ballpark numbers over the phone. Call (352) 266-2849 to schedule.
Why Board Fencing in Florida Needs to Be Built Differently
Sandy Soil
Marion County sits on a layer of fine sandy soil with a high water table in many areas. Sand does not compress around a post the way clay does. Posts need to go deeper here and concrete is used at all load-bearing points. A post set in sand without concrete at a corner or gate will shift within a few years.
Termites
Subterranean termites are active year-round in Central Florida. They attack wood at and below ground level first. A creosote treated post resists termite activity far better than pressure treated pine at ground contact. Fences R Us does not use untreated wood at any point that touches the soil.
Humidity and Rot
Marion County averages 54 inches of rain per year. Wood left in contact with wet Florida soil without treatment begins to rot within a few years. The posts Fences R Us uses are treated all the way through, not just on the surface. Surface treatment cracks over time and lets moisture in at the break points.
Heat and UV
Central Florida gets over 230 days of sun per year. UV breaks down wood fiber over time, particularly on the south and west sides of a fence run. Boards on sun-facing sides of a fence age faster than shaded boards on the same fence. Painting or staining board fencing every 3 to 5 years extends board life and keeps the wood from drying out and cracking.
Horse Pressure
Horses crib, lean, and push against board fencing in ways that stress the boards and post connections. The fix is 4-board or 5-board configurations with closer post spacing on horse pastures. Ring-shank nails or structural screws hold better than smooth nails under repeated animal pressure.
Board fencing is also the most common perimeter fence used around equestrian structures. See the Equestrian Structures & Fencing page for round pens, riding arenas, and horse property builds.
Getting Board Fencing Installed by Fences R Us
Every board fence job starts with a site visit. Here is the process from first call to finished fence.
Call (352) 266-2849 or use the contact form. Tell Manny the property type, approximate footage if you know it, and what you need the fence to contain.
Manny comes out to measure the run, check the terrain, and assess soil conditions. He specs the right board count and post treatment for your specific property before quoting anything.
You get a firm price in writing covering board count, post type, post spacing, gate count, and total linear footage. No surprises on the invoice.
The same crew that quoted the job builds it. Most board fence jobs run one to three days depending on footage and terrain. The crew sets posts, runs boards, and hangs gates.
Walk the fence line with Manny before the crew leaves. Posts are plumb, boards are secure, gates swing and latch. Anything off gets fixed before they go.
Board Fencing Across Five Central Florida Counties
Fences R Us installs board fencing for farm and residential properties within roughly one hour of Ocala.
Other Agricultural Fencing Options
Board fencing is one of several farm fence types Fences R Us builds across Central Florida. See the full Farm & Agricultural Fencing page for the complete list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Board Fencing in Ocala, FL
Get a Free Board Fence Estimate
Manny comes out, measures your property, and gives you a written quote. No obligation. Call (352) 266-2849 or use the form below.