The Difference Between A Shadowbox Fence Panel And A Stockade Fence

If you're in the market for a new fence, the sheer number of options might surprise you. Do you want the classic wooden fence, or should you go with vinyl, composite, or metal? If you stick to wood, there are still all the different types of wooden fences to consider, and that's all before you even think about the fence's design, height, and privacy options. Two types of fence varieties that can get people tripped up are shadowbox and stockade fences.

The primary differences between a shadowbox fence panel and a stockade fence lie in the aesthetic and the privacy each provides. A shadowbox fence utilizes a spaced-out picket design that creates a "shadow" effect by alternating pickets on either side of the rail. This allows the fence to look the same on both sides, which is a big selling point and great if you are looking to boost your curb appeal with new fencing. However, since this design creates small gaps between pickets, shadowbox fences don't offer full privacy.

Stockade fences are a completely different design. Pickets are lined up side-by-side along the rail, usually against each other to offer optimal privacy. Stockade fences will have a "front" and "back" side, with the rail visible along the back. Stockade pickets often have pointed tips, an ode to their use in military bulwarks.

When it comes to choosing the right fencing for your lifestyle, deciding between a shadowbox or a stockade fence comes down to style, privacy preferences, and cost. Both can be made with the same common fencing materials, including cypress, redwood, pine, cedar, and spruce, and they can each come in a variety of designs. If you want your fence to look polished on both sides, a shadowbox fence is the easy choice.

However, shadowbox fence panels can be more expensive than stockade fences due to the additional materials needed to overlap the pickets and create that mirrored effect on both sides of the fence. While stockade fences average to around $13 per linear foot, shadowbox fences can cost upwards of $30 per linear foot.

Beyond cost and aesthetics, consider the level of privacy you want. Stockade fences are going to provide total privacy, while shadowbox fence panels will have small gaps between pickets. Still, a quick passerby probably won't see through a shadowbox fence, and you can customize your shadowbox design to have the alternating pickets overlapping as much as possible to minimize the chance of anyone being able to see into your yard.