Shadowbox Fence in Norman, OK
Ironclad Fence Norman builds shadowbox fences across Norman, OK and Cleveland County in cedar and pressure-treated pine, vertical or horizontal, with top caps and matching gates. The boards alternate on each side of the rails, so the fence looks the same from both yards, blocks the view straight on and lets the wind pass through instead of pushing against a solid wall. As a fence company in Norman, OK, we build it on galvanized steel posts set in concrete. For other wood styles, see wood fence installation.
Why us
Why Choose Us for Shadowbox Fences in Norman, OK
Shadowbox only looks right when the spacing is perfectly even on both sides. That’s the part we sweat.
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Spacing Set for Your Privacy
We lay out the boards on both sides to the overlap you want, from near-private to open and airy, and keep it even down the whole fence.
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Less Wind Load
Air moves through the gaps, so the fence pushes less on its posts in a storm. We still set galvanized steel posts in concrete.
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Finished on Both Sides
Your neighbor sees the same fence you do, which makes shared fences and cost-splitting easier.
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Stain That Reaches Every Side
Shadowbox has more exposed edges. We stain both faces and the board edges when you’re ready.
Services
Shadowbox Fence Services in Norman, OK
Want no see-through at all? Compare it with board-on-board.
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Cedar Shadowbox
Western red cedar on both sides of the rails. More on cedar fences.
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Pine Shadowbox
Pressure-treated pine for long shared lines, where the alternating boards hide shrinkage gaps.
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Horizontal Shadowbox
Horizontal boards alternated on each side of closely spaced posts, for a modern look that’s finished both ways. More on horizontal fences.
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Shared Property-Line Fences
Good-neighbor fences built with both owners in mind, quoted so the cost is easy to split.
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Caps, Trim & Lattice
A flat cap and trim for a clean line, or a lattice topper for extra height and a lighter look.
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Matching Gates
Shadowbox gates on welded steel frames, finished on both sides like the fence.
Spacing
Choosing Your Shadowbox Spacing
How far apart the boards sit on each side decides how private the fence is and how much air gets through.
| Spacing | Looks like | Privacy | Airflow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overlapped | Boards on each side cover the gaps on the other | High straight on, slivers at an angle | Some |
| Edge to edge | Boards line up edge to edge across the rails | Partial; see-through at an angle | More |
| Open | Wider gaps for a decorative, airy screen | Low; a screened look | Most |
Most Norman backyards go with overlapped spacing. Open spacing works well around gardens, patios and pool equipment.
Cost
What Affects the Cost of a Shadowbox Fence?
Shadowbox uses more boards than side-by-side, and the spacing you choose changes how many. Your written quote lists each of these.
Get a free shadowbox estimate- Length and height
- Total footage, and 6 vs. 8 feet.
- Wood
- Cedar or pressure-treated pine.
- Spacing
- Overlapped spacing uses the most boards; open spacing the fewest.
- Orientation
- Horizontal shadowbox needs posts set closer together.
- Top, gates and site
- Caps, trim, lattice, gates on steel frames, slopes and old fence removal.
Timeline
How Long Does a Shadowbox Fence Take?
Shadowbox goes up in a few days. On shared fences, coordinating with your neighbor is often the longest step.
- From your call to the on-site estimate, typically
- 1–3 days
- For in-stock cedar, pine and steel posts
- 0–5 days
- To build a typical 100–250 foot shadowbox fence
- 1–3 days
- From request to finished fence for most homes
- 1–3 weeks
Permits or HOA approval can add 3–14 days. Staining both sides comes later, once the wood is ready.
Process
Our 4-Step Shadowbox Fence Process
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1. Estimate & Spacing
We measure, mark gates and show you spacing options, then send a written, itemized quote.
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2. Locates & Approvals
We call OKIE811, check City of Norman and HOA rules, and pull any permit the fence needs.
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3. Posts & Rails
Steel posts go in concrete on a string line, with rails centered so both faces match.
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4. Boards, Cap & Walkthrough
We hang boards on alternating sides to an even spacing, add cap, trim and gates, then walk both sides with you.
Questions
Shadowbox Fence FAQ — Norman, OK
Is a shadowbox fence as private as board-on-board?
Not quite. Straight on, a shadowbox fence with overlapping boards blocks the view almost completely, but from an angle you can see slivers through the gaps. Board-on-board blocks the view from every angle. If full privacy matters most, choose board-on-board; if both yards and the wind matter too, shadowbox is a great compromise.
Does a shadowbox fence really handle wind better?
It helps. Air passes through the gaps between the alternating boards, so the fence doesn't catch the wind like a solid wall, which puts less strain on the posts during Oklahoma storms. It still needs solid posts, and we build it on galvanized steel posts set in concrete.
Why is shadowbox called a good-neighbor fence?
Because neither neighbor gets the back side. The boards alternate on each side of the rails, so the fence looks the same from both yards. That makes it a popular choice for shared property-line fences where neighbors split the cost.
How far apart are the boards?
It depends on the look you want. For the most privacy, the boards on each side are spaced less than a board width apart, so they overlap when you look straight at the fence. Wider spacing gives a more open, decorative look with more airflow and less privacy. We'll show you the options at the estimate.
Can a shadowbox fence be horizontal?
Yes. Horizontal shadowbox alternates horizontal boards on opposite sides of the posts, giving a modern look that's still finished on both sides and lets air through. Posts go closer together so the long boards don't sag.
Do the rails show on a shadowbox fence?
A little, from both sides, between the boards. That's part of the look. A top cap and trim board give the fence a clean, finished line, and stain on both sides makes the rails blend in with the boards.
Does shadowbox use more wood than a regular fence?
Yes. Because the boards on each side overlap the gaps on the other, a shadowbox fence uses more boards than a side-by-side fence of the same length. It's similar to board-on-board.
Free estimate
Get a Free Shadowbox Fence Estimate
Tell us roughly how much fence you need, the height, and whether it’s shared with a neighbor. We’ll call to set a time to measure, then send a written, itemized quote.