Fence Building

We don't do cookie-cutter fence installations. Every job starts with a property line conversation, a review of any HOA or municipal bylaw height restrictions, and a look at the grade changes along the fence run. Sloped lots need stepped or raked fence panels to follow the grade without gaps at the bottom — and that's a detail that gets sorted in planning, not in the middle of installation. Written estimate, fixed price, no change orders.

Pressure-treated pine is the economical workhorse. Posts are ground-contact rated, rails and boards are above-ground rated — correct material for each application. PT fences are typically stained or painted within 6–12 months of installation once the wood has dried. Cedar is the premium wood choice — lighter, straighter, naturally rot-resistant, and beautiful when stained. Cedar is popular in the London, Kitchener, and Hamilton markets where homeowners want a wood look with lower long-term maintenance.

Vinyl fencing is fully maintenance-free — no staining, no rot, no insect damage. It comes in privacy, picket, semi-privacy, and ranch-rail profiles. Cellular vinyl is rigid enough to span the same post spacing as wood. Ornamental metal (powder-coated steel or aluminum) is the commercial-grade option: estate-look posts and rails, finial caps, and decorative pickets. Popular for front yards, pool enclosures, and properties where visibility matters but security and style are the priority.

Post installation is where fence longevity is determined. Every post we set goes into an augered hole below the frost line — 900 mm to 1.2 metres depending on post height and local conditions. Posts are set in concrete with proper drainage grading away from the post base. We use post-setting foam for sites where concrete curing time is a constraint. Posts are plumbed and aligned on a string line before any rails or boards go on — there's no shortcut here that doesn't show up in the finished product.

Rail attachment is done with approved hardware — joist-hanger-style brackets for structural integrity, not toe-nailed connections that pop out over winter. Privacy fence boards are face-nailed or screw-fastened with a consistent reveal and a bottom clearance of approximately 50 mm above grade to prevent direct soil contact. Gate hardware is heavy-duty — double-hinges rated for the gate weight, a positive-latch system, and a diagonal brace in the gate frame to prevent sag. We build gates that still swing true after five winters.

Most Ontario municipalities cap fence height at 2.0 metres (roughly 6.5 feet) in rear yards and 1.2 metres in front yards, though specifics vary by zone classification. HOAs may have additional restrictions. Master Decker identifies the applicable height limit and any setback requirement at the estimate stage. We also recommend confirming your property line with your survey certificate before installation — a fence built 0.3 metres onto a neighbour's property is an expensive problem to resolve after the posts are set.

Fences along shared property lines may require neighbour notification in some municipalities, and cost-sharing agreements are sometimes involved. We're experienced navigating these conversations and can advise on the process. We carry WSIB coverage and liability insurance, and our workmanship guarantee covers post, rail, and board installation defects. From the first site visit to the last board fastened, you deal directly with the Master Decker crew — no subcontractors.