How Much Does a Split Rail Fence Cost?

These fences are available in several varieties, such as vinyl, wood, metal or composite. Most professional fence installers, such as Eden charge according to the linear foot for labor and materials. Split rail fences are an easy and affordable alternate to outline your property. It is also known by other names, such as post-and-beam fence and ranch fence. 

Split Rail Fence cost – By Size

On average, fencing a 500 sq. ft. yard usually requires around 69 linear feet of fence to line the entire property. So, at the national average of USD 20 per linear foot, the total cost of fencing a yard this size is around USD 1,380. This cost includes labor and material charges. However, you need to remember that, depending on the specific type of split rail fence you choose, you may have to pay according to USD 11 per linear foot, or USD 29 per linear foot. 

On the other hand, if you want to fence in a 2,000 sq. ft. yard you will need around 135 linear feet of fence, for which the average cost is around USD 2,700. Most residential split rail fence projects tend to be closest to this one in budget and size. In the same way, a large 3,500 sq. ft. yard would need around 180 linear feet of split rail fence and the total budget for this is around USD 3,600. 

Split rail fences are available at a cheaper rate than most other types of fences but it depends on the size of your property. Split rail fences are usually used for:

• Front yard landscape decoration – This is usually inexpensive as it does not require covering a large area.
• Livestock containment – This usually involves installing the fence over several hundred feet of land hence it can cost thousands of dollars. 

On the other hand, when it comes to fencing in large spaces, especially at farms and ranches for livestock containment, the average cost of installing a different type of fence can be prohibitive. This is where the affordability of split rail fences comes to your rescue. 

For instance, covering a quarter acre of land requires around 416 linear foot of fence. As per the national average, the cost for this project comes to around USD 8,320, including the cost of professional installation. At the same rate, the cost of fencing a half-acre property with split rail fence requires around 592 linear feet of fence material, which can cost as much as USD 11,840. The same way, an acre of property usually needs around 836 linear feet of fence, which can cost a total of USD 16,720. 

Factors that affect cost of Split Rail Fence

The size of the fencing project is usually the biggest factor when it comes to determining the total cost of the project. 

Let’s take a look at the major factors that influence the overall cost of installing a split rail fence in the United States:

Fence material

Wood is one of the most basic and conventional materials used to make split rail fences. Though the specific cost of lumber varies by region, you can expect to pay around USD 11 to USD 20 per linear foot for cedar-wood fence, around USD 11 to USD 21 per linear foot for pine-wood fence while a black locust fence can cost as high as USD 20 to USD 30 per linear foot. 

If you don’t want to be bothered about maintaining your fence regularly, you should choose alternative material, such as vinyl or composite, instead of wood. Though these options are initially more expensive, they help you save money otherwise needed to prevent pests, rot and warping, in the long run. 

Composite split rail fences look extremely similar to wood fences. Composite fences can cost around USD 14 to USD 26 per linear foot. Vinyl fences come in several colors and cost around USD 18 to USD 29 per linear foot. Steel or aluminum is also widely used to make split rail fences. These are usually advised for use in smaller projects. A steel split rail fence can cost around USD 20 to USD 27 per linear foot while aluminum split rail fence can cost around USD 25 to USD 34 per linear foot. 

Adding wire mesh

Split rail fences are designed to keep large animals contained within it and prevent large predators from entering the enclosure. However, to prevent smaller animals or predators from entering the property, you can add wire mesh to the split rail fence. 

You can usually buy wire mesh for around USD 1.66 per linear foot and attach it yourself to the fence, of ask your installer to do it. Make sure to leave some amount from the budget for this additional yet necessary expense. 

Gate

Split rail-style gates do not require much material and are more affordable than other types of gates. On an average, a split rail-style gate costs around USD 250 per gate. The exact cost of the gate will depend on the size of the opening. 

Conclusion

The national average cost of installing a split rail fence in the US is around USD 2,853, where the typical range is between USD 1,782 and USD 3,923. At the lowest range, you can expect to pay around USD 799 for fencing small-sized properties while fencing large properties can cost as high as USD 23,864. It is highly recommended to consult with gardening and landscape experts, such as Eden for the most affordable and convenient split rail fence installation.