You can almost see it, right? A neat wood picket fence curving along your garden beds, roses spilling through the rails, and a classic gate that actually swings smooth. It’s a small thing, but it changes how the whole yard feels—friendly, tidy, and a little nostalgic. In Savannah, where live oaks frame our streets and azaleas wake up each spring, a picket fence fits like it’s always been there. If you’ve been wondering how to weave one into your garden without losing plants, privacy, or sanity, you’re in good company. Let me explain how to make it work—simply, beautifully, and built for our coast.
Contents
- 1 Why a wood picket fence still feels right in Savannah
- 2 Start with the bones: layout, height, and code basics
- 3 Choosing the right wood for coastal Georgia
- 4 Style and spacing: the small details that change everything
- 5 Plant pairings that love our lowcountry climate
- 6 Gates, arbors, and hardware that stand up to salt air
- 7 Color and finish: classic white or something coastal?
- 8 Build smart for humidity and storms
- 9 Budget, timing, and a simple checklist
- 10 Ready to see it in your yard?
Why a wood picket fence still feels right in Savannah
A wood picket fence does more than mark a boundary. It creates a soft edge that guides the eye, frames beds, and welcomes people in. It’s friendly by nature—more cottage than fortress—and that’s why it works so well with Savannah’s porches, brick walkways, and leafy shade. You get just enough definition without shutting out the breeze or the view of your garden.
Here’s the thing: people often expect privacy from a picket fence. And sure, tighter spacing helps. But pickets actually shine when they let in light and air. The golden rule is simple—use your fence to stage the garden, then use plants for privacy. That mix looks natural here and ages well in our climate.
Start with the bones: layout, height, and code basics
Before you talk styles or stain colors, sketch the path. Where should the fence turn? Where should the gate go for the mower? How will you pull the trash bin through? A quick yard walkthrough saves headaches later, and it keeps your plants safe.
Height matters. Front yards in many Savannah neighborhoods stay near 36 to 42 inches for a neighborly look. Side and rear yards can go taller, but check the street “sight triangle” at driveways and corners for safety. Most Residential fences under 6 feet won’t need a permit, but it’s smart to confirm with the City of Savannah and your HOA if you have one. Need help? Our team at Savannah Gate & Fence checks setbacks, corner visibility, and height rules every day—we’ll keep you on the right side of code.
One more planning note: leave a 12 to 18-inch planting strip inside the fence. It lets air move, protects pickets from constant leaf contact, and gives you space for drip lines or edging. Small detail, big pay-off.
Choosing the right wood for coastal Georgia
Wood choice drives look, longevity, and upkeep. In our humid, salty air, some species behave better than others. You know what? The right hardware matters too—but we’ll get to that.
| Wood Species | Look & Character | Care in Coastal Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Pine | Budget-friendly; takes paint well; classic white picket fence feel | Seal or paint after drying; watch for checking; great value if maintained |
| Western Red Cedar | Warm tone; beautiful grain; can be left natural or stained | Resists rot better; still needs sealing; gentle cleaning to prevent mildew |
| Cypress | Southern favorite; subtle color; stable boards | Good rot resistance; stain or clear seal for best life near the coast |
Our coastal tip: use stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners. Cheap screws rust fast here and streak the wood. Also cap your posts; a simple cap sheds water and helps the top stay sound.
Style and spacing: the small details that change everything
Pickets seem simple—until you stand in front of twenty samples. The good news is you can’t go wrong, but you can match the style to your house and garden mood.
Top profiles to consider:
- Dog-ear Clean, modern-casual; pairs well with cottage or ranch homes.
- Gothic or French Gothic Traditional and a bit dressy; perfect with historic facades.
- Pointed or Square-top Classic; square-top feels crisp with straight hedges or boxwood.
Spacing sets the tone. Wider spacing feels airy and shows off plants. Tight spacing gives a hint of privacy near patios or windows. For most gardens, a 2 to 3-inch gap hits that sweet spot. Want “cozy” by the sitting area and “open” by the lawn? We can vary spacing across sections and still keep the line consistent. Sounds like a contradiction, but when done well, it looks intentional and balanced.
One last style note: a gentle scallop or arch along a run can soften long lines and make a gate feel like a focal point rather than a break in the fence.
Plant pairings that love our lowcountry climate
Plants make the fence, and the fence makes the plants. That partnership is where a garden design really starts to sing. In Savannah’s humid, warm climate, choose varieties that don’t mind salt air and summer storms.
Local favorites that play nice with pickets:
- Azaleas and Hydrangeas Azaleas bring spring drama; hydrangeas love morning sun, afternoon shade.
- Confederate Jasmine or Carolina Jessamine Sweet fragrance; train on a simple wire along the rails.
- Dwarf Yaupon Holly Tidy hedge material that stays friendly in size and shape.
- Muhly Grass Soft motion and fall plumes; gorgeous against white pickets.
- Rosemary or Salvia Herbs that can handle heat; trim away from pickets for airflow.
Keep rich soil and mulch slightly away from the fence line. Wood likes to breathe, and wet mulch piled high is a fast track to rot and mildew. A bit of gravel at the base behind plants improves drainage and keeps everything tidy.
Gates, arbors, and hardware that stand up to salt air
The gate is the handshake of the whole project. Get it right. For most yards a 36-inch gate works well; if you use a riding mower or need wide wheelbarrow access, consider a 48-inch gate or a small double gate.
Arbors can turn a simple walkway into a moment. Even a modest cedar arch with jasmine creates a scent you’ll remember each time you pass under it. Hardware should be heavy-duty and coastal-ready: stainless steel or marine-grade coated hinges and latches. If you’re fencing near a pool, plan for a self-closing hinge and latch height that meets safety code. Pretty can still be practical.
Color and finish: classic white or something coastal?
White paint is timeless. It brightens shade, frames color, and nods to Savannah’s historic homes. That said, stained cedar is stunning in dappled light, and soft coastal hues—think pale gray, sea mist, or sage—can blend a fence into the garden instead of shouting over it.
Paint vs. stain in our climate:
- Paint Gives a crisp look; plan on touch-ups and a refresh every few years.
- Solid stain Looks like paint but penetrates; easier to maintain and recoat.
- Transparent or semi-solid stain Shows the grain; less upkeep than bare wood; resists UV.
Pro move: let pressure-treated pine dry before finishing. When the mill glaze fades and moisture content drops, finishes last longer and look better. We test boards before painting or staining so you get fewer peels and fewer headaches.
Build smart for humidity and storms
We build for beauty—and for the coast. Posts set deep with well-draining footing matter. Concrete is common, but we add a gravel pocket at the bottom for water to escape, then slope the top of the concrete away from the post. Simple but effective.
Rails need solid fastening. We use pocket screws or structural fasteners that won’t loosen with seasonal movement. On long runs, expansion gaps and staggered seams keep lines clean over years, not just months. And if you’re worried about wind, we can tighten picket spacing near corners, add beefier posts at gates, and anchor hinge posts deeper. It’s all invisible insurance for storm season.
Maintenance is easy if you stay ahead of it. Once a year, rinse the fence gently, treat mildew with an oxygenated cleaner, and check ground contact points. Avoid blasting with a pressure washer up close; it scars wood and opens the grain to moisture. A light touch goes a long way here.
Budget, timing, and a simple checklist
Costs vary with wood species, height, footage, and extras like arbors or double gates. Pressure-treated pine remains the value leader; cedar and cypress sit higher, but they reward you with less warping and a richer look. If you’re doing this in phases, build the front and main gate first, then extend along the sides. You’ll get the biggest visual punch up front while you plan the rest.
Timing-wise, winter installs are great in Savannah—the plants are sleepy, the ground is cooler, and your garden’s ready to shine by spring. Summer works too; we just schedule smarter around afternoon showers and protect fresh finishes from quick storms.
A quick planning checklist:
- Measure your runs Mark corners and gate locations with stakes and string.
- Pick a style Picket profile, spacing, and height that fit the house.
- Choose wood and finish Pine with paint, or cedar/cypress with stain.
- Plan plant zones Leave an air gap, add drip irrigation, and keep mulch low.
- Confirm rules City, HOA, and any sightline requirements near driveways.
Ready to see it in your yard?
If you can picture a wood picket fence in Savannah, GA wrapping your garden—framing hydrangeas, guiding guests, and keeping the yard neat—we’d love to help. Savannah Gate & Fence designs and installs fences that look right on day one and still feel right years later. We handle layout, code checks, material choices, and all the small details that make a fence easy to live with.
Call us today at 912-800-0818 or tap Request a Free Quote. Tell us what you’re dreaming up. We’ll bring the tape, the samples, and the know-how—and you’ll get a fence that plays nice with your garden, your home, and our coastal weather.
