A new fence can look great the day it's installed. But the real test isn't how it looks on day one—it's how it holds up 5, 10, or even 15 years down the road.
North Texas can be tough on fences. Expansive clay soil, drought conditions, heavy rain, high winds, and intense summer heat all put stress on fence posts, gates, pickets, and hardware. After more than 25 years of building fences in North Texas, I've seen what works—and I've seen the shortcuts that can cause fences to lean, sag, warp, or fail long before they should.
At Mike Downs Fencing, I build every fence myself. I don't use subcontractors or rotating crews. From setting the first post to hanging the final gate, my goal is simple: build a fence that is made for North Texas and built to last.
1. Fence Posts Aren't Set Deep Enough
One of the most important parts of a fence is also the part you can't see once the job is finished—the post below the ground.
Some fence posts are set only 18–24 inches deep. That may save time and concrete during installation, but it can create problems later, especially in North Texas soil.
I set my fence posts approximately 3 feet deep or deeper, regardless of the fence height. North Texas drought conditions can leave the upper layers of soil dry and loose. Getting the post deeper into the ground provides a stronger foundation and helps the fence withstand movement in the soil and high winds.
The strength of your fence starts underground.
2. Steel Posts Make a Difference
For custom wood privacy fences, I prefer heavy-duty steel posts.
Wood posts can eventually rot where they meet the soil and moisture. Steel posts provide a strong structural backbone for a wood privacy fence and can help reduce problems with leaning and movement over time.
On certain fence designs, including some of our 8-foot board-on-board privacy fences, we can also box in the steel posts with cedar, giving homeowners the strength of steel while maintaining the finished appearance of a custom wood fence.
It's one of the details homeowners may not immediately notice—but it's a detail that can make a major difference years later.
North Texas can be tough on fences. Expansive clay soil, drought conditions, heavy rain, high winds, and intense summer heat all put stress on fence posts, gates, pickets, and hardware. After more than 25 years of building fences in North Texas, I've seen what works—and I've seen the shortcuts that can cause fences to lean, sag, warp, or fail long before they should.
At Mike Downs Fencing, I build every fence myself. I don't use subcontractors or rotating crews. From setting the first post to hanging the final gate, my goal is simple: build a fence that is made for North Texas and built to last.
1. Fence Posts Aren't Set Deep Enough
One of the most important parts of a fence is also the part you can't see once the job is finished—the post below the ground.
Some fence posts are set only 18–24 inches deep. That may save time and concrete during installation, but it can create problems later, especially in North Texas soil.
I set my fence posts approximately 3 feet deep or deeper, regardless of the fence height. North Texas drought conditions can leave the upper layers of soil dry and loose. Getting the post deeper into the ground provides a stronger foundation and helps the fence withstand movement in the soil and high winds.
The strength of your fence starts underground.
2. Steel Posts Make a Difference
For custom wood privacy fences, I prefer heavy-duty steel posts.
Wood posts can eventually rot where they meet the soil and moisture. Steel posts provide a strong structural backbone for a wood privacy fence and can help reduce problems with leaning and movement over time.
On certain fence designs, including some of our 8-foot board-on-board privacy fences, we can also box in the steel posts with cedar, giving homeowners the strength of steel while maintaining the finished appearance of a custom wood fence.
It's one of the details homeowners may not immediately notice—but it's a detail that can make a major difference years later.
3. North Texas Soil Has to Be Taken Into Consideration
Building a fence in North Texas isn't the same as building one everywhere else.
Our clay soil expands when it absorbs moisture and contracts when it dries. During extended periods of drought, the ground can become extremely dry and hard. After heavy rainfall, soil conditions can change dramatically again.
That constant movement puts stress on fence posts and gates.
That's why proper post depth, adequate concrete, drainage considerations, strong materials, and installation techniques matter so much.
A fence shouldn't just be built for your property. It should be built for the soil and weather underneath it.
4. Quality Lumber and Fasteners Matter
You can build two fences that look similar from the street but are very different when you look closely at the materials.
For our custom wood fences, we use genuine Western Red Cedar. Cedar is naturally beautiful and is an excellent choice for North Texas privacy fencing when properly installed and maintained.
Depending on the design, our custom wood fences can include:
Building a fence in North Texas isn't the same as building one everywhere else.
Our clay soil expands when it absorbs moisture and contracts when it dries. During extended periods of drought, the ground can become extremely dry and hard. After heavy rainfall, soil conditions can change dramatically again.
That constant movement puts stress on fence posts and gates.
That's why proper post depth, adequate concrete, drainage considerations, strong materials, and installation techniques matter so much.
A fence shouldn't just be built for your property. It should be built for the soil and weather underneath it.
4. Quality Lumber and Fasteners Matter
You can build two fences that look similar from the street but are very different when you look closely at the materials.
For our custom wood fences, we use genuine Western Red Cedar. Cedar is naturally beautiful and is an excellent choice for North Texas privacy fencing when properly installed and maintained.
Depending on the design, our custom wood fences can include:
- Genuine Western Red Cedar
- Heavy-duty steel posts
- Stainless steel nails
- Rot board
- Top cap and trim
- Board-on-board or side-by-side construction
- Custom gates
- Boxed-in steel posts
- Professional custom wood staining
5. Gates Need Extra Attention
A gate is one of the hardest-working parts of your fence.
It's opened, closed, pulled, pushed, and exposed to changing weather conditions every day. Wood can naturally expand and contract, and even a well-built gate may need an adjustment over its lifetime.
That's why I spend extra time building and hanging gates properly.
And if a gate I've installed needs an adjustment later, I provide lifetime gate adjustments to my customers at no charge.
To me, standing behind the fence after the job is finished is part of building it correctly in the first place.
6. Installation Matters Just as Much as the Materials
Premium materials can't make up for poor installation.
A beautiful cedar fence won't perform the way it should if the posts aren't installed correctly. Heavy-duty steel won't solve every problem if the foundation isn't right. And an expensive gate can still sag if it isn't properly built and supported.
That's one reason I have chosen to personally build every Mike Downs Fencing project.
No subcontractors. No rotating crews.
When you hire Mike Downs Fencing, you know who is building your fence. I'm there setting the posts, installing the cedar, building the gates, and paying attention to the details that will matter years after the job is finished
A gate is one of the hardest-working parts of your fence.
It's opened, closed, pulled, pushed, and exposed to changing weather conditions every day. Wood can naturally expand and contract, and even a well-built gate may need an adjustment over its lifetime.
That's why I spend extra time building and hanging gates properly.
And if a gate I've installed needs an adjustment later, I provide lifetime gate adjustments to my customers at no charge.
To me, standing behind the fence after the job is finished is part of building it correctly in the first place.
6. Installation Matters Just as Much as the Materials
Premium materials can't make up for poor installation.
A beautiful cedar fence won't perform the way it should if the posts aren't installed correctly. Heavy-duty steel won't solve every problem if the foundation isn't right. And an expensive gate can still sag if it isn't properly built and supported.
That's one reason I have chosen to personally build every Mike Downs Fencing project.
No subcontractors. No rotating crews.
When you hire Mike Downs Fencing, you know who is building your fence. I'm there setting the posts, installing the cedar, building the gates, and paying attention to the details that will matter years after the job is finished
How We Build Wood Fences Differently
When I'm building a custom wood privacy fence, I'm not trying to find the fastest way to finish the job. I'm looking at what will help that fence perform over the long term.
That means paying attention to the things homeowners may never see in a finished photograph: post depth, concrete, steel, fasteners, soil conditions, gate construction, drainage, and structural support.
Then we combine that foundation with genuine Western Red Cedar and custom details such as board-on-board construction, rot boards, top caps, trim, boxed-in posts, and professional staining.
The result is a fence designed to provide privacy, security, curb appeal, and long-term value.
Protecting Your Wood Fence After Installation
Even a well-built wood fence benefits from proper maintenance.
North Texas sunlight, heat, rain, and moisture can eventually cause untreated wood to fade, dry, crack, or weather. Professional fence staining helps protect the cedar from UV exposure and moisture while bringing out the natural grain and color of the wood.
We offer custom wood fence staining for both new and existing wood fences. Proper staining can help protect your investment and keep your fence looking its best for years to come.
When I'm building a custom wood privacy fence, I'm not trying to find the fastest way to finish the job. I'm looking at what will help that fence perform over the long term.
That means paying attention to the things homeowners may never see in a finished photograph: post depth, concrete, steel, fasteners, soil conditions, gate construction, drainage, and structural support.
Then we combine that foundation with genuine Western Red Cedar and custom details such as board-on-board construction, rot boards, top caps, trim, boxed-in posts, and professional staining.
The result is a fence designed to provide privacy, security, curb appeal, and long-term value.
Protecting Your Wood Fence After Installation
Even a well-built wood fence benefits from proper maintenance.
North Texas sunlight, heat, rain, and moisture can eventually cause untreated wood to fade, dry, crack, or weather. Professional fence staining helps protect the cedar from UV exposure and moisture while bringing out the natural grain and color of the wood.
We offer custom wood fence staining for both new and existing wood fences. Proper staining can help protect your investment and keep your fence looking its best for years to come.
Experience Matters
I've been building fences since 2002 and have more than 25 years of hands-on fence-building experience. As a third-generation fence builder, I've learned that the parts of a fence that homeowners don't immediately see are often the parts that matter the most.
That's why I don't believe in shortcuts.
I'd rather spend extra time setting a post correctly, building a gate properly, or making sure a detail is right than have a customer dealing with a preventable problem later.
At Mike Downs Fencing, every fence is personally built by me and backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty.
One fence. One builder. Every time.
Looking for a Fence Contractor in North Texas? If you're considering a custom wood privacy fence, wrought iron fence, chain-link fence, pool fence, farm and ranch fence, gate, or professional fence staining, I'd be happy to take a look at your property and talk about your options.
Mike Downs Fencing proudly serves homeowners throughout North Texas and the Texoma area, including Sherman, Denison, Pottsboro, Whitesboro, Gainesville, Bonham, Howe, Van Alstyne, Gunter, Collinsville, Tioga, Lake Kiowa, Anna, Melissa, Blue Ridge, and surrounding communities.
Ready to build a fence that's made for North Texas? Contact Mike Downs Fencing today for a free estimate.
Mike Downs Fencing 903-814-8118
Professional. Reliable. Trusted. Since 2002.
No Subcontractors — Ever.
I've been building fences since 2002 and have more than 25 years of hands-on fence-building experience. As a third-generation fence builder, I've learned that the parts of a fence that homeowners don't immediately see are often the parts that matter the most.
That's why I don't believe in shortcuts.
I'd rather spend extra time setting a post correctly, building a gate properly, or making sure a detail is right than have a customer dealing with a preventable problem later.
At Mike Downs Fencing, every fence is personally built by me and backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty.
One fence. One builder. Every time.
Looking for a Fence Contractor in North Texas? If you're considering a custom wood privacy fence, wrought iron fence, chain-link fence, pool fence, farm and ranch fence, gate, or professional fence staining, I'd be happy to take a look at your property and talk about your options.
Mike Downs Fencing proudly serves homeowners throughout North Texas and the Texoma area, including Sherman, Denison, Pottsboro, Whitesboro, Gainesville, Bonham, Howe, Van Alstyne, Gunter, Collinsville, Tioga, Lake Kiowa, Anna, Melissa, Blue Ridge, and surrounding communities.
Ready to build a fence that's made for North Texas? Contact Mike Downs Fencing today for a free estimate.
Mike Downs Fencing 903-814-8118
Professional. Reliable. Trusted. Since 2002.
No Subcontractors — Ever.
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