Privacy Fence Installation in Kentwood, MI
West Michigan’s preferred privacy fence installer
Built by Brothers. Rooted in West Michigan Since 2013.
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Current Project Start
About 2 weeks
Next Available Estimate
Within 48 hours
Local Permit Wait Time
About 2 weeks (if necessary)
Privacy Fence Installation in Grand Rapids — True 2×4 Rails and Posts Built for Solid Panels
Most homeowners come to us already knowing they want a privacy fence — a solid backyard screen that contains the yard and creates real separation from close neighbors. What they’re still working out is the material, the height, and how much a Michigan winter will ask of the fence over the next twenty years. Fence Brothers has been building privacy fences across Kentwood, Cascade, Ada, and the rest of Kent County since 2013, and our shop on E Paris Ave SE sits three minutes from the Kentwood Building & Inspections office where every city fence permit gets filed. We know which subdivisions require HOA review before the dig, which properties sit on drainage easements that restrict what materials are allowed, and how to set a post in Kentwood’s clay-heavy ground so it doesn’t shift by the second winter.
WHAT WE INSTALL
Choosing Your Privacy Fence Material
Every privacy fence blocks sightlines, but how it handles wind, airflow, and Michigan’s seasonal wood movement depends on the style. Here’s what we build most across Kent County.
Cedar Privacy Fence
Cedar is the most common privacy fence we build — wood accounts for the majority of our residential work, and most of that is privacy. Western Red Cedar and Eastern White Cedar are naturally resistant to moisture and decay, a property built into the wood itself rather than added through chemical treatment. We source White Cedar directly from mills in the Upper Peninsula and dimension it to consistent sizing at our Kentwood shop before it leaves for the job site.
Three style decisions shape the finished look:
- Dog-ear pickets — the most common profile, a clean traditional look that works on almost any home
- Board-on-board — overlapping pickets that leave no gaps even after the wood has settled through its first year, with a finished appearance on both sides
- Shadowbox — alternating pickets on both faces, fully finished from both sides and useful where HOA rules don’t specify a finished-side requirement
The rails we use measure a full two inches by four inches — not the slightly undersized lumber that gets sold and labeled the same way at most building supply stores. Pickets run 11/16″ thick, which gives them the rigidity to stay flat through Michigan winters rather than cupping as the seasons cycle. That combination of rail dimension and picket thickness is what separates a fence that looks the same at year eight from one that shows movement after three.
We’ve built lumber sourcing relationships over more than three decades that let us maintain material quality at pricing most contractors can’t reach through standard supply channels. That’s what drives our cost structure — not a discount, but a different supply chain.
Vinyl Privacy Fence
Vinyl privacy fence installation is the right choice for homeowners who want to stop thinking about the fence after installation day. There is no staining, no splintering, and no seasonal maintenance — a simple rinse once or twice a year is all it takes to keep the surface clean.
We install VEKA vinyl and carry Wheatland for colors and styles VEKA doesn’t stock. Both meet residential wall-thickness minimums — anything below that threshold is the grade of product that tends to show stress fractures after a Michigan February. PVC moves with temperature changes, so every panel installation accounts for thermal clearance at the post. That small detail is what keeps the fence looking right through a Michigan summer and prevents cracking at the rail connection over time.
Vinyl and cedar install at similar price points. Over the life of the fence, vinyl tends to cost less in total due to the difference in ongoing maintenance.
How We Build a Privacy Fence That Holds Up in Michigan
Most privacy fences that develop problems in West Michigan develop them at the post. Frost works under a shallow footing over the winter, and the post may shift as the ground thaws in spring — which homeowners often notice first as a wavy rail line or a gate that requires noticeably more effort to latch. Each winter can compound that movement.
Posts go 42 inches deep — minimum.
Michigan Residential Code requires footings to extend below the 42-inch frost line, and we reach that depth on every privacy fence we set. Posts installed at 24 or 30 inches — which remains common among some contractors — are more susceptible to frost movement by the second or third winter.
Bell-bottom footings in clay soil.
Most of Kentwood and Cascade sits on clay-heavy ground. A straight-wall hole gives expanding clay a surface to grip during freeze cycles, which can contribute to post movement over time. A bell-shaped footing — wider at the base than at the top — locks the post in place and reduces that upward pressure considerably.
Pressure-treated posts for ground contact.
Any post set in Michigan soil requires lumber treated to ground-contact standards per code. We don’t use lumber rated for above-ground use below grade.
Hot-dipped galvanized fasteners throughout.
Michigan code prohibits electro-galvanized nails for exterior framing. We use hot-dipped ring-shank nails on every picket — the ring shank resists backing out under the thermal cycling that every Michigan fence faces between November and March.
Three rails on a 6-foot fence.
Top, middle, and bottom. Two-rail fences can develop a bow at the center of tall panels within a few years. Three rails distribute the picket load and keep the fence line straight over time.
Concrete cures before we hang rails.
We allow 24 to 48 hours minimum for initial set. Gate posts get a full seven days before we hang the gate, due to the load a swinging gate places on the concrete during the cure period.
On a recent Cascade installation, the property line ran through a row of mature oaks the homeowner wanted to protect. Standard practice would have placed posts on the straight run and treated the root system as the homeowner’s concern. We pulled three post locations eight inches off the line, kept every root intact, and finished the run without losing a tree. The fence sits where it needs to sit. The oaks are still there.
Cedar, Pine, and Vinyl Material Specifications
Fence Brothers builds privacy fences in three materials. Each holds up differently through Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles, and each carries different maintenance and cost commitments.
| Cedar | Pressure-Treated Pine | Vinyl (PVC) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade / Spec | 1 or better pickets, 11/16″ thick (nearly 3/4″). UP-sourced white cedar planed in-house for consistent thickness. | Ground contact rated UC4A/UC4B. Copper-based treatment (ACQ). Requires stainless or hot-dip galvanized hardware. | 0.100″ wall thickness minimum. Through-body color with TiO2 UV inhibitors. |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years with maintenance | 20–30 years | 20–30 years |
Maintenance | Seal 6–12 months after install, then every 2–3 years. Penetrating sealer holds better than film-forming in freeze-thaw climates. | Dry 6–12 months before first stain. Reseal every 3–5 years. | Soap and water rinse annually. No staining or sealing. |
| Michigan Advantage | Natural oils resist moisture. Our UP white cedar is planed in-house for consistent 11/16″ thickness. | Longest raw lifespan. Handles ground contact if treatment grade is correct. | Zero maintenance through salt spray, humidity, and freeze-thaw if wall thickness meets spec. |
Drawback | Requires re-sealing every 2–3 years or UV graying begins within 12 months. $$ to $$$ per re-seal depending on DIY or hired out, on a 150-foot fence. | Must wait 6–12 months to stain. Fresh treated lumber warps and checks during the drying period. Green color fades without stain. | Higher upfront cost than wood. Thin-wall vinyl (under 0.100″) cracks on impact in cold weather. PVC panels expand in summer heat and must be set with gap spacing at posts to prevent buckling. |
The privacy fence installation cost for any project depends on material, footage, height, gates, and site conditions. Our rails are true 2x4s across all wood builds. Most area installers use nominal 2x4s, which actually measure 1.5″ × 3.5″ — a full half-inch narrower than actual. That missing rail width matters when wind loads on a solid privacy panel start torquing the frame.
Privacy Fence Permits in Kentwood
You need a permit for any fence over 30 inches tall in Kentwood. Almost every privacy fence we build qualifies at 6 feet, so a permit application is part of every job we do. We handle it, and you don’t need to contact the city.
Here is what Kentwood’s rules require, from the Kentwood Planning Department FAQ and Residential Fence Standards:
The finished-side rule trips up a lot of homeowners. If your fence has a smooth side and a side that shows the rails, the smooth side has to face out. We build with this in mind on every installation.
- Permit required for any fence over 30 inches
- Permit fee: $50 standard, or $150 if City Engineer review is needed
- Rear and side yard: 6 feet maximum height
- Front yard setback: 3 feet maximum for solid fence, 4 feet maximum for open-type decorative
- Corner lots: Fences over 3 or 4 feet must sit at least 17 feet back from the side lot line
- Floodways: No fences allowed
- Drainage easements: Chain link only
- Front and street-side yards: Chain link and wire fencing not permitted
- Finished side: Must face the closest property line — the smooth face points toward the neighbor or street
Permit processing: About 2 weeks in our recent experience.
Building & Inspections: 4900 Breton Ave SE, Kentwood — (616) 554-0700. Fence permit application PDF here.
We also file the MISS DIG 811 utility locate three business days before we dig, as required by Michigan law. You’ll see flags or paint marks in the yard before our crew arrives.
HOAs: If you are in a subdivision with architectural review — East Grand Rapids covenants, several Ada developments, parts of Cascade — we submit the HOA application at the same time as the city permit so both reviews run in parallel.
What Customers Say About Fence Brothers
Why Kentwood Homeowners Build Privacy Fences
Dog containment. A solid 6-foot privacy fence with no gaps and no sightlines into the neighbor’s yard is the most reliable dog containment setup we install. Chain link works for confinement but doesn’t stop a dog that fence-fights through the wire. Privacy fencing solves both problems at once.
Neighbor screening. New construction in Byron Center and the established lots in southern Kentwood often sit close enough that a kitchen window looks straight into someone’s driveway. Six feet of solid cedar or vinyl changes that.
Property line clarity. In Ada, where lot lines often run through mature woods, a privacy fence is sometimes the first time the actual boundary becomes clearly visible on the ground. We verify the line before we dig.
A note on HOAs: in East Grand Rapids, most HOAs require architectural review before any fence over four feet goes up. Kentwood also requires the finished side — the smooth face — to point toward the closest property line. We handle both as part of every job.
HOW IT WORKS
Our Privacy Fence Installation Process, Start to Finish
1
Free Estimate and Design Consultation
Alec or a crew lead walks your property, measures the runs, and gives you a written estimate. We confirm property lines, flag anything that affects the build — grade changes, root systems, HOA requirements — and give you a clear picture of what the job involves before you commit to anything.
2
Permits, HOA, and MISS DIG
We handle all the paperwork: the Kentwood fence permit, the HOA application if required, and the MISS DIG 811 utility locate. Where possible, the permit and HOA review run at the same time so they don’t stack into a longer wait.
3
Installation
Every post is set at frost depth in concrete, and the fence is assembled on-site to fit the grade of your yard. We work through material specifications and anything flagged during the estimate — no surprises on installation day.
4
Final Walkthrough and 5-Year Warranty
We check every gate latch, verify every post is plumb, and hand you the warranty documentation before we leave. Our 5-year workmanship warranty covers post movement, picket separation, and structural installation issues — including wood fences.
RECENT WORK
See What a Fence Brothers Installation Really Looks Like
Get a Free Estimate — See What the Installation Looks Like on Your Property
Low monthly payments available through Wisetack financing.
Every privacy fence post we set is evaluated for your yard’s soil and your fence’s wind load. Let’s walk your property and spec it right.
Maintenance: What Your Privacy Fence Needs Over the Years
- Year-one inspection. Walk the fence after the first Michigan winter. Look for any post that has lifted, any picket that has cupped, and any gate that has dropped. If we built it, those issues are covered under workmanship — call us.
- Cedar restaining: every 3–5 years. UV exposure and freeze-thaw cycling pull moisture in and out of the wood. Film-forming sealants tend to crack under that cycling — we recommend penetrating oil-based stains that flex with the wood. Plan on $300–$600 for a 150-foot run if you do it yourself, more if you hire it out.
- Vinyl rinse: once a year. Garden hose and mild detergent if there is algae on the shaded side. That is the full maintenance plan.
- Spring and fall inspection. In spring, check for frost heave and fastener corrosion from road salt drift if the fence runs near the driveway. In fall, clear leaves from the bottom rail and check that no soil has built up against the picket bases — that is how rot begins on wood.
- Gate hardware. Gate latches and hinges take the most abuse on any fence. Lubricate annually and tighten anything that has worked loose. A sagging gate is almost always a hinge adjustment, not a post problem.
WHERE WE WORK
Privacy Fence Projects Across Kent County
We build backyard privacy fences across Kentwood and the surrounding cities. A few areas we work in most often:
Cascade. Larger lots, longer runs, and most of our pool-barrier privacy installations. The clay soil here is the textbook case for bell-bottom footings.
Ada. Wooded lots, mature trees, and property lines that often need verification before the dig. HOA review is common.
East Grand Rapids. Tight setbacks, dense neighbors, and almost always an HOA architectural review. The finished-side rule matters here more than anywhere.
Byron Center. Fast-growing new construction. A lot of homeowners moving in without any privacy screening between their yard and the neighbor’s.
Don’t see your area? We serve all of West Michigan — Forest Hills, Grandville, Wyoming, Rockford, Holland. Ask on the estimate call.
Get Your Free Privacy Fence Estimate in Kentwood
Privacy fencing is what we build most in Kent County, and our installation approach reflects everything we’ve learned about what makes a privacy fence hold up through twenty Michigan winters. Wood or vinyl, 50 feet or 500, dog-ear or board-on-board — Fence Brothers has been building across Kentwood, Cascade, Ada, East Grand Rapids, and the rest of Kent County since 2013.
What you get:
- Free on-site estimate within 48 hours
- Written, itemized quote with no pressure
- Permit, HOA submission, and MISS DIG handled by us
- 5-year workmanship warranty, including wood
- Wisetack financing available — low monthly payments
Request a Free Estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Our Fencing Services, Pricing, and Process.
Do I need a permit for a privacy fence in Kentwood?
Yes — any fence over 30 inches tall requires a permit from the City of Kentwood. That includes every standard 6-foot privacy fence. The fee is $50, or $150 if City Engineer review is needed. We pull the permit as part of every job. Source: Kentwood Planning FAQ.
How tall can a privacy fence be in Kentwood?
Six feet maximum in the rear and side yards. In a front yard setback, solid fences are capped at 3 feet and open-type decorative fences at 4 feet. Corner lots have an additional 17-foot setback requirement from the side lot line for fences taller than 3 or 4 feet. We design every privacy fence to fit within these limits.
How deep do privacy fence posts need to be in Michigan?
42 inches minimum — that is the Michigan frost line per the Michigan Residential Code. Posts set shallower than that are more susceptible to seasonal movement, which can affect the fence line and gate operation over time. We dig every privacy fence post to 42 inches and use a bell-bottom footing in clay soils to reduce frost lift.
Which side of the fence faces my neighbor?
The finished side has to face the closest property line — that is a Kentwood code requirement. The smooth face points outward and the rails face into your yard. If you want a fence that looks clean on both sides, board-on-board and shadowbox styles are built that way by design.
What’s the best wood for a privacy fence in West Michigan?
Western Red Cedar or Eastern White Cedar. Both are naturally resistant to moisture and decay without relying on chemical treatment. We source White Cedar directly from Upper Peninsula mills. Pressure-treated pine is a lower-cost option but doesn’t weather as cleanly over twenty years.
How much does a privacy fence cost?
Final cost depends on linear footage, material, gate count, and whether an existing fence needs to come out first. We give you a written, itemized estimate after the on-site visit — no pressure and no surprises.
How long does the installation take?
Most residential privacy fences go up in 1–3 days once we are on-site. The full timeline from signed estimate to finished fence is typically 3–5 weeks, accounting for permit review (about 2 weeks in Kentwood), MISS DIG locate (3 business days), and scheduling. We will give you a real date at the estimate.