Houston is hard on fences. Heat, humidity, heavy rain, clay soil that shifts, and the occasional tropical storm all take their toll. The good news is that both wood and metal fences can last for decades here, if the details are right.
Cedar is the classic Houston privacy fence: it looks warm, it resists rot and insects better than pine, and it's the most affordable option per foot. Its weak point is the posts. Wood posts set in Houston clay rot at the ground line within a few years and the fence starts to lean. We set cedar fences on galvanized steel posts in concrete, which is the single biggest upgrade you can make for a wood fence's lifespan.
Metal fencing, whether corrugated panels, ornamental iron or aluminum, costs more up front but needs almost no maintenance and doesn't care about humidity. Metal panel fences give full privacy with a modern look; ornamental iron gives security and visibility for front yards and driveways. Powder-coated finishes hold up well against the Gulf Coast climate.
If you're planning a driveway gate, decide on the fence and gate together. An automatic gate needs solid posts, proper clearance and power, and it should match the fence in style and height. Because we fabricate gates, install operators and build fences, we can design all three as one system.
Whichever you choose, get a written quote that names the post type, the footing depth and the hardware. Those three details, more than the fence material, decide whether it's still standing straight in ten years.