One of a kind, built for your property

Custom wood fence design & build in Fort Collins

Lattice tops, mixed board patterns, decorative caps, diagonal inlays and fully bespoke designs — hand-built to match your home's architecture. No two are exactly alike, and that's the whole point.

Crafted by Fort Collins Fence — building Northern Colorado since 1996
Designed around your home

A fence that's built for you, not the catalog

Every home has its own character. A custom wood fence isn't just a boundary — it's an architectural extension of your property, designed to complement your home's lines, your landscaping and your style.

We don't pull a pattern from a book. We look at your house, your yard and what you want to achieve — then build something that fits all three. From a subtle lattice top to a full custom panel design, our crew has the experience to make it look like it was always part of the plan.

Lattice, diagonal & mixed patterns
Custom top profiles
Decorative post & rail caps
Variable board widths & spacing
Western red cedar & Douglas fir
Custom matching gates
Start your design conversation
Custom cedar fence with lattice top panels and mixed board patterns along a Colorado garden
28+ Years of custom builds in Colorado
The building blocks

Mix, match and make it yours

A custom fence is built from a menu of design elements — tops, patterns, caps and rails — combined to create something that's entirely your own.

Dog-Ear

Classic diagonal corner cut. The most common residential top — clean, friendly and timeless.

Flat / Square

Blunt, modern and architectural. Works best with horizontal slat designs and contemporary homes.

French Gothic

Elegant curved point — more refined than a spear, less rustic than dog-ear. Popular for gardens.

Spear / Gothic

Sharp triangular point. Traditional and formal — great for estate fencing or garden borders.

Lattice Top

Diagonal lattice panel above a solid privacy board lower section. Our most requested custom element.

Horizontal Slat

Modern, clean lines running horizontally. Pairs perfectly with flat-top and contemporary architecture.

Shadowbox

Alternating boards front and back — looks finished from both sides and allows airflow.

Diagonal Inlay

Boards running at a 45° angle — striking, architectural and a real statement piece.

Mixed Width Boards

Combining narrow and wide boards in a rhythm creates depth and visual texture from any angle.

These elements are just the starting point. We regularly combine two or three design elements — for example, a lattice top over a diagonal-inlay lower section with a French Gothic finial on the cap rail. The best custom fences usually come from a 10-minute conversation.

Let's design yours
What we build with

Choosing the right wood for Colorado

The species matters as much as the design. We'll recommend the right wood for your budget, your style and the Colorado climate.

Our top pick

Western Red CedarThuja plicata

Nature's best fence wood. High natural oil content resists rot and insects without chemical treatment. Rich red-amber tone that weathers beautifully.

Rot resistance
Excellent
Durability
High
Cost
Mid–High

Douglas FirPseudotsuga menziesii

Strong, straight-grained and locally sourced in Colorado. Slightly harder than cedar — takes paint and stain exceptionally well for custom color finishes.

Rot resistance
Moderate
Durability
Very High
Cost
Mid

RedwoodSequoia sempervirens

Premium California redwood — the benchmark for natural beauty and rot resistance. Deep red tone, very stable and naturally resistant to moisture absorption.

Rot resistance
Superior
Durability
Very High
Cost
Premium

Pressure-Treated PineSouthern Yellow Pine, treated

The most cost-effective option for Colorado's climate. Chemical treatment provides excellent rot and insect resistance. Best for lower sections and structural posts.

Rot resistance
Excellent
Durability
High
Cost
Budget
From idea to finished fence

Our custom build process

  1. Call us

    Tell us what you're thinking — even a rough idea is enough to start.

  2. Site visit

    We come out, measure the space and walk through the property with you.

  3. Material selection

    We source the right species and cut to the exact dimensions your design needs.

  4. Build & install

    Built on-site by our crew, to your design, leaving your yard clean when we're done.

Your questions

Custom fence FAQs

Everything you need to know before starting a custom wood fence build — from design process to cost, timelines and wood choices.

Do I need to come in with a design already in mind?

Not at all. Most clients come to us with a general feeling — "I want something that feels warm," or "I want it to look different from every other fence on the street." We start by looking at your home's architecture, your landscaping and your style, then suggest design elements that work. You don't need a blueprint — you need a conversation.

How much more does a custom fence cost vs a standard one?

The price difference depends on the complexity of the design. A simple lattice top over a standard privacy board adds modest cost. A full diagonal inlay or mixed board pattern with decorative caps takes more time and material. We provide free, detailed quotes — so you'll know exactly what your design costs before committing to anything.

What wood do you recommend for custom designs in Colorado?

Western red cedar is our first choice for custom work — its natural oils resist rot and insects, it's dimensionally stable in Colorado's climate, and its warm grain looks exceptional whether left natural, stained or painted. For clients wanting premium longevity, California redwood is also available. For budget-conscious builds, Douglas fir with a good stain finish performs very well.

Can you match a custom gate to the fence design?

Yes — and for custom fences, matching gates are one of the most impactful finishing details. We build single and double gates using the same boards, top profile, cap rail and pattern as the fence panels, so everything reads as one cohesive design.

How long does a custom wood fence take to build?

Timeline depends on the scale and complexity of the design. A standard residential run with a custom element typically takes 1–3 days of installation. Larger or more intricate projects may take longer. After your consultation, we'll give you a realistic schedule alongside the quote.

Should I stain or seal my custom cedar fence?

It depends on the look you want. Left untreated, cedar weathers to an attractive silver-gray over 1–2 years — many homeowners love this look. If you want to preserve the warm amber-red tone, a semi-transparent stain every 3–5 years does the job beautifully. We recommend water-repellent penetrating stains for the best results in Colorado's UV environment.

Do you work within HOA guidelines?

Yes. Many HOAs allow more design flexibility than homeowners assume — they often restrict height and color but leave considerable room for board patterns, top profiles and details. We regularly help clients maximize their design within HOA constraints. Bring your HOA guidelines to the consultation and we'll work within them.

Let's design something worth looking at

Your property. Your style. Your fence.

Free consultation, free quote and a crew that's been building custom cedar fences in Northern Colorado since 1996. Let's start with a conversation.

Callback within 24 hours Insured by Hartford 10% military & senior discount 28+ years experience