How much does a tongue-and-groove cedar fence cost in the Lower Mainland?

A tongue-and-groove (T&G) cedar fence in the Lower Mainland typically costs $55 to $100 per linear foot installed for a standard 6-foot privacy fence, making it one of the more premium wood fence options. The higher cost compared to standard board-on-board ($40 to $80 per linear foot) reflects the milled lumber, tighter joinery, and additional labour time required for a clean, gap-free installation.

Tongue-and-groove cedar fencing uses boards that have been milled with a protruding tongue on one edge and a matching groove on the opposite edge. When assembled, the tongue of each board slides into the groove of the adjacent board, creating a tight, interlocking joint with no visible gaps between boards. This gives the fence a seamless, solid appearance that is more refined than traditional butt-jointed board fences where small gaps appear between boards as the wood shrinks seasonally.

Material costs for T&G cedar boards run $3.50 to $7 per linear foot depending on grade and board width. The milling process that creates the tongue and groove profile adds approximately 20 to 30% to the board cost compared to plain flat boards of the same grade. STK (Select Tight Knot) grade T&G 1x6 Western Red Cedar is the most commonly used for fencing and runs $3.50 to $5 per linear foot at Lower Mainland lumber suppliers. Clear grade T&G cedar — preferred for front-facing or visible applications — runs $5 to $7 per linear foot. For a 6-foot-tall fence, each linear foot of fence requires approximately 7 boards (accounting for the tongue overlap that reduces effective board width), so material costs for boards alone run roughly $25 to $49 per linear foot of fence.

Add to that the posts, rails, concrete, fasteners, and hardware. Cedar or pressure-treated 4x4 posts ($15 to $25 each, spaced every 6 to 8 feet), 2x4 cedar rails (three per section for 6-foot height), concrete for post footings ($8 to $12 per hole), and stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized screws (essential in Metro Vancouver's wet climate — standard screws will rust and stain the cedar). Total material cost per linear foot, including everything, runs approximately $35 to $60.

Labour for T&G cedar fencing runs higher than standard board fences because the interlocking joints require more precision. Each board must be carefully aligned and tapped into the groove of the previous board without cracking the tongue. On sloped terrain — common across Metro Vancouver in areas like the North Shore, Burnaby Mountain, and Coquitlam — T&G fences require either a stepped panel approach or careful racking (angling the boards to follow the slope), both of which add complexity. Labour costs for T&G installation in Metro Vancouver typically run $20 to $40 per linear foot, compared to $15 to $30 for standard board fences.

For a typical Lower Mainland project — 100 linear feet of 6-foot T&G cedar privacy fence with one pedestrian gate — budget $5,500 to $10,000 all-in. That includes removal of any existing fence ($3 to $8 per linear foot), new posts set in concrete with gravel drainage beds, three-rail construction, T&G STK cedar boards, one gate ($200 to $600), and cleanup. Premium builds using Clear grade cedar, steel posts, or custom details will push toward the higher end.

One important consideration for T&G fencing in Vancouver's climate is wood movement. The tight-fitting joints that make T&G fences look great when new can cause problems as cedar expands and contracts with Metro Vancouver's seasonal moisture changes. During the wet winter months, boards absorb moisture and swell — if the joints are too tight, boards can buckle or push apart at the tongue. During dry summer months, boards shrink and small gaps may open at the joints. Quality T&G cedar has enough tolerance in the joint profile to accommodate this seasonal movement, but cheaper or poorly milled boards may not. Ask your contractor about the specific T&G profile they use and confirm it's designed for exterior applications with moisture movement in mind.

T&G fencing also requires sealing on all surfaces, including inside the tongue-and-groove joints, to prevent moisture from wicking into the end grain through the joint. Applying a coat of end-cut preservative or wood sealer to the tongue and groove profiles before assembly is a best practice that many fence contractors in Metro Vancouver skip to save time. If this matters to you, discuss it with your contractor upfront.

Get matched with fence contractors experienced in tongue-and-groove cedar installation through Vancouver Fence Builders — our matching service is free and we can connect you with professionals who will provide detailed quotes for your project.

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