Cedar Dog Ear Fence in Hampton Roads
Classic, clean, and timeless. The cedar dog ear fence is a neighborhood staple — diagonal-cut top pickets, solid privacy, and natural cedar beauty that weathers gracefully over the years.
The Classic Cedar Privacy Fence
The dog ear fence gets its name from the diagonal cuts on the top corners of each picket — a softer, more elegant look than a flat-cut top. It's one of the most recognizable fence styles in Hampton Roads neighborhoods, and for good reason: it strikes the perfect balance between clean simplicity and classic character.
We build our cedar dog ear fences using Western Red Cedar, which is naturally resistant to rot and insects. The natural oils in cedar give it a built-in defense that makes it one of the most durable wood fence materials in our coastal climate. Over time, untreated cedar weathers to a beautiful natural silver-gray — or you can stain it to preserve the warm honey tones of fresh wood.
Compared to the capped top style, the dog ear is simpler in construction — no cap rail — which makes it the more affordable cedar option. It's widely popular across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk for both residential privacy fencing and picket applications. Full privacy from 6ft, or lighter heights for front yards and decorative uses.
- Cedar pickets with dog ear cut
- Full privacy
- 4ft–8ft heights
- Naturally rot-resistant
- No cap rail (lower cost option)
- Stainable or natural gray
Cedar Dog Ear Fence FAQs
The capped top style adds a horizontal cap rail running across the top of all pickets, giving the fence a more polished, structured look plus added structural rigidity. The dog ear style is simpler — no cap rail — making it the cleaner, lower-cost cedar option while still delivering full privacy.
"We had Kempsville Fence build a 6-foot cedar privacy fence around our entire backyard — about 280 linear feet. The owner was on-site every day, the crew was professional and courteous, and they finished a day early. The fence looks absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend!"
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