San Jose Fence Bros(650) 769-4203

Licensed & Insured

Redwood Fences
in San Jose, CA

The premium choice for homeowners who demand a rich, deep color and decades of proven weather resistance. Redwood is the gold standard for long-lasting, beautiful fencing that looks stunning from day one and only gets better with time.

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Very High
Durability
20–30+ yrs
Lifespan
$$$
Cost
Low
Maintenance

Material Overview

Why Choose Redwood?

Redwood's tight, straight grain and abundant natural tannins make it highly resistant to rot, decay, and insects, while its deep reddish-brown heartwood stays dimensionally stable through summer heat and winter rain. The wood contains very little sapwood, meaning the entire board is composed of the durable, colorful heartwood that builders prize. It is the material of choice for homeowners who want a fence that looks stunning today, ages gracefully, and remains structurally sound for decades without constant maintenance. In Santa Clara County, where homes range from mid-century modern to Spanish revival, redwood's versatile beauty fits every architectural style.

Redwood is our most requested premium material across the entire Bay Area, and for good reason. Its dense heartwood resists shrinking, warping, and cupping better than almost any other softwood, while holding its rich color and delivering a finished look that instantly elevates any San Jose home. Whether you are replacing an old fence or building a new one for a recently purchased property, redwood sends a clear signal that quality matters. Our redwood fences are built with hand-selected boards, stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners, and concrete-set posts for maximum longevity.

Premium LookLongevityLow MaintenanceResidential
Redwood fence

Pros & Cons

The Honest Breakdown

Pros

  • Rich, deep color that most homeowners prefer over lighter cedar or pine alternatives
  • Excellent natural resistance to rot, decay, and wood-boring insects without chemical treatment
  • Minimal shrinking, warping, and checking compared to other softwood fence materials
  • Long lifespan with very little ongoing maintenance beyond occasional cleaning
  • Holds fasteners and gate hardware extremely well without pulling out over time
  • Accepts clear sealers and semi-transparent stains beautifully for custom color control

Cons

  • Premium price — the most expensive common wood fence material on the market
  • Natural color can vary significantly between boards and lumber grades
  • Relatively soft surface that can dent under heavy impact from landscaping or vehicles
  • Supply can be limited in certain dimensions and grades due to responsible harvesting practices
  • Lower-grade redwood with more sapwood is less durable and not recommended for ground contact

Popular Designs

Redwood Styles We Build

Board-on-Board

Full-privacy vertical redwood with overlapping pickets that completely hide gaps and create a seamless, solid wall from both sides.

Horizontal Slat

Modern horizontal redwood boards for a sleek, contemporary silhouette with warm color that pairs beautifully with flat-roof homes.

Cap-and-Trim

Finished redwood with decorative top caps and corner trim boards for a crisp, tailored edge and custom carpenter quality.

Custom Gate & Arbor

Matching redwood gates and arbors that turn a simple fence line into an impressive statement entrance for your property.

Post-and-Rail

Rustic open redwood rails ideal for large lots, ranch-style homes, and wide property lines where full privacy is not needed.

Lattice & Topper

Solid redwood below with a decorative lattice top panel for privacy plus welcome light and airflow above the fence line.

Pricing

Redwood Fence Cost

Redwood is priced by grade, with the most common options being Construction Common, Construction Heart, and Clear All Heart. Construction Common is the most affordable and works well for fences where some knots are acceptable. Construction Heart contains more heartwood and fewer knots. Clear All Heart is the premium grade with virtually no knots and the most uniform color. We help every client pick the grade that best balances their budget and their desired look, and every quote is fully itemized with no hidden fees.

Typical Installed Cost
$48–$72
per linear foot, installed

FAQ

Redwood Fence FAQs

A redwood fence built with quality heartwood and properly set concrete posts commonly lasts 20 to 30 years or more in the San Jose climate — significantly longer than most other wood fence materials. The key is using heartwood rather than sapwood, sealing end cuts, and installing with quality fasteners that will not corrode and stain the wood over time.

Ready for a New Redwood Fence?

Get a free on-site estimate and a straight answer on materials, timeline, and cost — no pressure.

(650) 769-4203

Side by Side

Redwood vs Other Fence Materials

Every material has strengths. Here is how redwood stacks up against the alternatives on cost, lifespan, and upkeep.

MaterialInstalled CostLifespanMaintenanceBest For
Cedar$28–$4815–30 yrsLow–MedPrivacy, staining, affordability
Redwood$48–$7220–30+ yrsLowPremium look, longevity
Oak$45–$6520+ yrsMediumSecurity, heavy-duty
Vinyl$32–$5530–50 yrsVery LowZero maintenance
Chain Link$18–$2815–30 yrsVery LowBudget, pets, security

Pricing reflects typical San Jose installations. Your actual quote depends on fence height, linear footage, site access, and optional upgrades.

Upkeep Guide

What to Expect Year by Year

Redwood is the lowest-maintenance wood we offer. Here is the realistic care schedule for a redwood fence in the San Jose climate.

Year 0–1

Install & Optional Sealer

Fence is built and left to weather, or sealed with a clear penetrating sealer. If you want to lock in the deep red color, seal now.

Year 2–3

Clean & Inspect

Wash with mild soap and water to remove dirt and mildew. Check for loose boards and popped fasteners. Re-seal only if you want to keep the rich red tone.

Year 5–7

Optional Re-Seal

If you sealed initially, a second coat around this time preserves the color. Structurally, redwood needs no treatment to keep performing.

Year 20–30

Replace or Restore

Quality heartwood redwood with concrete-set posts commonly lasts 20 to 30 years or more before full replacement is needed.

The Bottom Line on Redwood Maintenance

Redwood holds up structurally for 20 to 30 years or more with no sealing at all — the natural tannins protect the wood. Sealing only preserves the deep red color and slows the natural silver-gray weathering. If you want the color, seal every 3 to 5 years. If you are fine with the weathered look, do nothing.

Quality Guide

Redwood Grades Explained

The grade determines how much durable heartwood your fence gets, how uniform the color is, and what you pay.

Construction Common

Most Affordable

Contains some knots and a higher proportion of lighter sapwood. Still a solid fence material, but sapwood is less rot-resistant than heartwood, so it is best kept away from ground contact. Ideal for budget-conscious projects.

PriceLower cost
Best ForLong fence runs, budget projects

Clear All Heart

Premium

Virtually knot-free, cut entirely from the dense, durable heartwood that gives redwood its rich deep color and legendary longevity. Uniform in tone and the most rot-resistant grade available.

PriceHigher cost
Best ForVisible front-yard fences, premium longevity

Installation Standards

What Separates a Good Redwood Install From a Cheap One

The grade is only half the story. How the fence is built determines whether it lasts 20 years or 40. Here is what we do and what to look for in any quote.

Heartwood Selection

Sapwood rots faster than heartwood. Quality installers hand-select boards and reserve heartwood for structural members and ground-contact areas.

Post Depth

Posts set 24–30 inches deep in concrete, minimum. Deeper in loose or sandy soil. Shallow posts lean and fail within a few years.

Concrete Footings

Each post sits in a concrete footing that flares at the base for stability. Dry-packed dirt or gravel will not hold up over decades.

Stainless or HDG Fasteners

Redwood is rich in tannins that can react with standard steel and cause black streaks. Stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners prevent this.

End-Cut Sealing

Every cut end exposes raw wood where moisture enters first. Quality installers seal every end cut before nailing.

Drainage Gap

Bottom of the fence sits 1–2 inches above grade and soil slopes away from posts so water never pools against the wood.

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