Compare
How styles handle wind
| Style | Privacy | Wind load | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid privacy | Full | Highest | Sheltered yards |
| Board-on-board | Full | High | Moderate wind |
| Shadowbox | Nearly full | Lower | Windy yards that need privacy |
| Semi-privacy / slat gaps | Partial | Low | Very windy, open lots |
| Iron or aluminum | None | Very low | Views and security |
Where it's windy
Utah's windiest neighborhoods.
Some parts of Utah get far more wind than others. East-bench homes in Davis County, from Bountiful and Centerville to Farmington and Layton, see powerful east canyon winds. Lehi and Draper near the Point of the Mountain, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain on the open west side of Utah Lake, Spanish Fork near the canyon, and the Tooele Valley all get strong, steady gusts.
A 6-foot solid fence acts like a sail. In these areas, the style you choose and how the posts are set matter more than anything else.
Styles
Let some wind through.
Shadowbox and semi-privacy styles leave small gaps between boards, so wind can pass through while the fence still blocks most views. They put far less force on the posts than a solid fence and are the best all-around choice for windy yards.
Horizontal slat fences with small gaps look modern and handle wind well too. If you need full privacy, board-on-board is sturdier than a single layer of boards, but it still needs heavy posts.
Materials
Materials that hold up.
Cedar with steel posts is one of the strongest privacy combinations: the wood looks warm, and the steel posts won't rot, twist or snap at the ground. Heavy-duty vinyl works well when the posts are reinforced and the panels are rated for wind. Composite boards are heavy and stiff, and they do best on aluminum or steel post systems made for them.
Aluminum and iron have almost no wind load, so they're the easy choice where you want security and views instead of privacy.
Installation
The install is everything.
Most wind damage is really post damage. In windy areas we set posts deeper and closer together, use more concrete, and choose stronger posts and rails than a standard backyard build.
- Deeper postsSet in concrete well below the frost line so wind and freeze-thaw can't loosen them.
- Tighter spacingPosts closer together spread the load so no single post takes the full force.
- Stronger postsSteel posts or reinforced vinyl posts where gusts are strongest.
- Wind-ready gatesHeavy hinges, strong latches and drop rods keep gates from slamming or blowing open.
Gates
Gates in the wind.
Wide solid gates catch the most wind of anything on your property. For driveways in windy areas, slide gates and vertical lift gates are easier to control than large swing gates, and automatic operators hold the gate firmly closed. For walk gates, use heavy-duty hinges and a latch that can't be blown open.
Keep reading
Related pages.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Don't see your question? Send it with your estimate request and we'll get back to you.
What is the best privacy fence for high wind?
Shadowbox and semi-privacy fences are best for windy areas because they let some wind pass through while still blocking most views. Pair them with deep, closely spaced posts, ideally steel or reinforced posts.
Will a vinyl fence blow over in Utah wind?
Cheap vinyl on shallow posts can. Heavy-duty vinyl with reinforced posts set deep in concrete holds up well, and semi-privacy vinyl handles wind better than solid panels.
Are steel posts better than wood posts for a windy yard?
Yes. Steel posts don't rot, twist or snap at the ground line, so they're much stronger in wind. They can be hidden behind the boards on a cedar fence.
Which Utah areas get the most wind?
East-bench Davis County (Bountiful to Layton), the Point of the Mountain near Lehi and Draper, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Spanish Fork and the Tooele Valley are some of the windiest areas for fences.
What kind of gate is best for a windy driveway?
Slide gates and vertical lift gates are easier to control in wind than wide swing gates, and automatic operators hold them firmly closed.
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