Frequently asked questions.

A pressure-treated pine fence generally lasts 15 to 20 years, while cedar can reach 20 to 30. Installation quality and upkeep matter as much as the species, since sealed wood on properly set posts easily outlives neglected wood.

Roughly a third of the post length should sit underground, which usually means 24 to 36 inches for a residential fence. Taller privacy runs and gate posts go deeper, because wind load and swinging weight pull hardest at the base.

Many DeKalb County properties require a permit, and height limits differ between front and rear yards. Rules also change inside city limits and within homeowner associations, so Lindley's Fencing confirms the requirements for your address in Decatur, GA first.

Front yard fences are commonly capped around 4 feet, while side and rear yards typically allow 6 to 8 feet. Corner lots often carry extra sight-line restrictions, so the answer depends on your exact parcel and jurisdiction.

Georgia does not require one statewide, but we strongly recommend it. A current survey settles where your line truly sits, keeps the fence out of an easement, and prevents the neighbor dispute that follows a misplaced post.

Ornamental aluminum and vinyl usually outlast wood because neither rots, and aluminum will not rust. Welded iron lasts decades when its coating is maintained. Wood offers warmth and privacy metal cannot match, so longevity is only part of the decision.

A standard residential yard usually takes one to three working days once materials arrive. Larger commercial perimeters, custom builds, and heavily sloped lots run longer, and concrete footings need curing time before gates get hung.

Stick-built fencing follows a grade far better than prefabricated panels, because we cut and rack each section to the slope. Board and batten and split rail both handle uneven ground well, while rigid panels tend to leave awkward gaps.

Concrete gives the most rigidity and is our standard for privacy fences and gate posts. Gravel improves drainage and suits lighter split rail work. In heavy clay, drainage under the post matters just as much as the footing itself.

Sealer is clear or nearly clear and blocks moisture, while stain adds pigment and blocks ultraviolet light as well. Most products sold here do both, and the pigment is what protects the surface from sun damage.

Custom is to face the finished side outward, toward the neighbor and the street, leaving posts and rails on your side. Some styles, including board and batten and shadowbox, look finished from both directions and avoid the question entirely.

Height and gaps decide it. A solid privacy fence at 6 feet stops most jumpers and removes the visual triggers that start barking, while diggers need buried mesh or a gravel base along the bottom rail.

Watch the gate first, because it stops latching before anything else moves visibly. Soft wood at the base of a post, widening gaps between boards, and rust bleeding from fasteners all signal that the run needs attention soon.

Aluminum does not rust, which is why it holds up so well in humid Georgia summers. Steel and iron can corrode once a coating is breached, though good powder coating and prompt touch-ups keep that risk very low.

Privacy fencing uses tall boards set tight together to block sight lines completely. Picket fencing is shorter with deliberate gaps, so it marks a boundary, contains pets and children, and keeps the yard open and visible.

Yes. Georgia winters rarely freeze the ground deeply enough to stop digging, and cooler months often mean faster scheduling. Concrete simply needs a little more curing time, and heavy rain matters far more than cold temperatures.

Count the failures. A few damaged pickets or one leaning post is a repair. When posts rot along the whole run, Lindley's Fencing usually recommends replacement, because patching a failing line in Decatur, GA costs more over time.

Pool barriers must meet code, which generally means at least 4 feet tall, no footholds, and a self-closing, self-latching gate. Ornamental aluminum is the usual answer because it satisfies those rules without blocking your view of the water.

Sagging almost always starts at the hinge post rather than the gate. A deeper, wider footing, a proper anti-sag cable or brace across the frame, and heavier hinges together solve the majority of cases we see.