Frost and fence posts
The City of Boise's adopted code amendments set a minimum frost depth of 24 inches for footings, and NOAA's engineering weather data for Boise records about 78 freeze-thaw cycles a year. Fence posts set too shallow can heave, slowly working out of the ground and pushing fences out of line and gates out of alignment. Ask the contractor how deep they'll set posts, especially gate and corner posts, and how they'll shape the footing so frost can't grip it.
Summer sun and dry air
The National Weather Service describes Boise as semi-arid, with hot, dry summers. Wood fences dry out and crack under intense sun, and the sunny sides weather fastest. A penetrating stain or sealer, reapplied periodically, protects wood. Vinyl should be a quality UV-resistant product.
Snow and wind
Boise averages around 20 inches of snow a year. Solid fences can cause snow to drift on the downwind side, burying gates. Strong winds during storms push on privacy fences. Board-on-board designs, deeper posts and stronger gate posts help.
Irrigation
Many Boise yards have pressurized irrigation. Sprinklers that spray fences keep wood wet and promote rot at the base of posts and boards. Aim sprinklers away from the fence, and don't let soil or mulch pile up against it.
Pets and wildlife
Many Treasure Valley homes are near open space, where homeowners may want fences that keep pets in and deer out of gardens. Height and design depend on what you're trying to keep in or out.
Permits and HOAs
The City of Boise and Ada County limit fence height in front yards and near corners, and taller fences may need permits. Many Boise-area subdivisions have homeowners associations with strict fence standards; check before ordering.
Before you hire
Ask Boise fence contractors how deep they'll set posts, how they'll handle wind and snow, which materials hold up in sun and cold, whether a permit is needed, and what the warranty covers. Ask them to call in a utility locate before digging. Look up the contractor's Idaho registration with DOPL.
Gates that keep working
Gates are the first thing to fail when posts move. Set gate posts deeper and larger than line posts, brace wood gates diagonally or use a steel frame, and choose heavy-duty hinges and latches. Check gate alignment each spring after the ground thaws, and adjust hinges before the gate starts dragging.
Maintenance
Inspect wood fences each spring for loose boards, popped fasteners and rot at the base of posts. Re-stain sunny sides every few years. Clean vinyl with a hose and soft brush. Touch up chips in metal fence coatings.
Stain and sealer
Re-stain wood fences every few years, starting with the sunniest sections, and apply stain when boards are dry.