A hog wire fence combines a wood frame — typically cedar — with welded wire mesh panels stretched between the frame members and posts. The wire panels keep the structure open and airy while the cedar framing gives it clean lines and visual weight. It's popular in Seattle because it works well with Pacific Northwest landscaping, preserves views of the surrounding environment, and fits naturally into the design aesthetic of modern homes across the region. Done with quality materials and proper installation, it's also genuinely durable.

Yes, it matters significantly — especially if pets are involved. Standard residential hog wire is typically 4-gauge or 6-gauge welded wire. 4-gauge is heavier and more rigid; 6-gauge is more economical but deflects more under lateral pressure. For most residential applications, 4-gauge hot-dipped galvanized welded wire panels are the right call. Lighter-gauge wire sags between posts over time and is easier for a determined dog to push through or under. We'll tell you what we're spec'ing and why, not just hand you whatever's cheapest.

Hot-dipped galvanizing involves submerging the wire in molten zinc, which creates a thick, bonded coating all the way through. Electro-galvanizing applies zinc through an electrical process, resulting in a much thinner coating. In a dry climate, both hold up reasonably well. In Seattle's wet climate — nine months of rain, coastal moisture, freeze-thaw cycles — electro-galvanized wire starts showing rust within one to two years. Hot-dipped panels last decades. We only use hot-dipped galvanized wire on every hog wire fence we build.

It depends on the dog and how the fence is configured. Standard hog wire panels have rectangular openings — typically 2"x4" or 4"x4" — which most dogs cannot squeeze through. For dogs that dig, we can add a concrete footing or buried wire apron along the base. For dogs that jump, height matters more than the wire style. Tell us about your dog — breed, size, behavioral tendencies — and we'll spec the fence to actually contain them rather than building something that looks good and fails in a month.

Generally, fences under 6 feet don't require a permit in Seattle residential zones, but it varies by municipality. Kent, Bellevue, Renton, and Kirkland each have their own codes around setbacks, height limits, and what requires a permit. We know the local requirements across the areas we serve and will flag anything that needs a permit before we break ground. The last thing you want is a stop-work order mid-build.

The cedar framing needs the same care as any wood fence — clean it annually, apply a penetrating oil or sealant every two to three years, and inspect the base of your posts each spring where moisture tends to collect first. The wire panels themselves require almost no maintenance if they're hot-dipped galvanized — just an occasional check for any mechanical damage. We'll walk you through a maintenance plan specific to your fence's orientation and exposure at the final walkthrough.

Yes. Sloped lots are common in Seattle and across the Eastside, and hog wire handles slope well. The typical approach is stepped framing — the panels drop in increments that follow the grade — which keeps the horizontal lines of the frame clean and the wire taut. We'll look at your specific grade and recommend the approach that makes structural and visual sense for your property.

Most residential hog wire fence installations are completed in 1-3 days, depending on total length, slope, and gate complexity. You'll get a firm timeline in your written quote. We mean it — our reputation in this area is built on showing up when we say we will and finishing when we say we will.

Hog wire fencing is typically comparable to or slightly less expensive than a solid cedar fence of the same height, depending on wire gauge, post spacing, and the amount of custom gate work involved. The wire panels are less material-intensive than solid cedar boards, but a well-built hog wire fence with proper framing and hardware isn't a budget option — it's a quality one. We'll give you an honest breakdown in your quote so you can compare it accurately against other bids.