Wood Fence Top Profiles — More Options Than You Think
Most homeowners focus on fence height and material, but the fence top profile — the silhouette the fence creates along its top edge — significantly affects curb appeal and cost. The three most common wood fence top profiles in Texas are dog-ear (standard pointed-corner boards at even height), flat-top (all boards cut to the same height with no dog ear), and scalloped (boards cut to create a curved pattern between posts). Here’s how scalloped and flat-top differ.
Flat-Top Wood Fence
A flat-top fence cuts all boards to an identical height, creating a clean horizontal line along the top edge. Unlike the standard dog-ear style, flat-top boards have square-cut tops (no 45-degree corner cuts). Flat-top gives the fence a more modern, architectural appearance — it reads as intentional and crisp rather than the standard residential wood fence look.
Flat-top fence costs roughly the same as dog-ear for the same lumber and dimensions. The boards are cut in a flat configuration rather than with the angled dog-ear cut — this is either done at the lumber yard or by the fence installer on-site. It’s the natural choice for contemporary or modern home styles.
Scalloped Fence
Scalloped fence features a curved top profile that dips between posts, creating a repeating wave or arc pattern along the fence line. The curve runs from a higher point at each post to a lower midpoint at the center of each fence panel. Scalloped fence is a traditional design common in older Texas neighborhoods and adds a decorative quality to a privacy fence.
Creating a scalloped fence requires either: (1) cutting each board individually to a specific height based on its position in the panel (time-consuming and precise), or (2) installing boards at full height and then running a jigsaw or circular saw along a template to create the curve after installation. Scalloped fence adds $1–$4/LF to the cost of a flat-top or dog-ear fence due to the additional labor.
Which Profile Is Right for Texas Homes?
- Dog-ear: Standard residential Texas privacy fence — appropriate everywhere, accepted by all HOAs, most economical
- Flat-top: Best for modern, contemporary, and new-construction homes — crisp architectural look at no significant premium over dog-ear
- Scalloped: Best for traditional Texas craftsman, cottage, or established neighborhood homes where the curved profile complements the architectural character of the street
Contact Mustang Fencing for wood fence installation in all top profiles throughout Houston and East Texas. We’ll help you choose the right style for your home’s architecture and neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a scalloped fence?
- A scalloped fence is a wood privacy fence where the top edge of the boards follows a curved arc between fence posts — high at the posts and lower at the center of each panel — creating a repeating wave pattern along the fence line. It’s a traditional residential privacy fence design popular in established Texas neighborhoods. Scalloped fence costs $1–$4/LF more than standard flat-top or dog-ear fence due to the additional labor required to achieve the consistent curved profile.
- What is the difference between dog-ear and flat-top fence?
- Dog-ear fence has the top corners of each picket cut at 45 degrees, creating the characteristic pointed-top profile seen throughout Texas neighborhoods. Flat-top fence cuts all boards to the same square-top height without the angled corner cuts, creating a clean horizontal line along the top. Both are installed the same way and cost roughly the same — flat-top gives a more modern, architectural appearance while dog-ear is the traditional residential Texas style.
- Does the fence top profile affect HOA approval in Texas?
- It can — some Texas HOAs specify dog-ear or flat-top fence only and don’t allow scalloped or decorative profiles. Others specify fence height and material but don’t regulate the top profile. Before committing to a scalloped or flat-top design, check your HOA’s Architectural Review Committee guidelines. Mustang Fencing advises on HOA compliance for all fence projects and can help identify approved profiles for your specific community.
- How much does scalloped fence cost compared to standard wood fence in Texas?
- Scalloped fence costs $1–$4/LF more than standard dog-ear or flat-top wood fence of the same height and material. The premium reflects the additional labor to achieve a consistent curved profile across the full fence run. For a 150-foot project, expect scalloped fence to cost $150–$600 more than a comparable flat-top or dog-ear fence. The premium is modest for the visual impact scalloping provides on a traditional home.
