A privacy fence is used to create privacy for the owner. It prevents people from looking in, for example nosy neighbors, or unauthorized people from entering your property. It can also be used to block an unattractive view or an undesirable use such as a busy street. A privacy fence may be located around the perimeter of your property or around a specific area such as a back or side yard between two or more properties.
What to Consider
A privacy fence is a permanent feature on your property. Function, aesthetics, maintenance, longevity, and budget are all important factors to consider when thinking about installing a privacy fence. Some questions to ask yourself might be: What is the purpose? Where should it be located? Will the fence have more than one function, for example, privacy and security? Should it be both attractive and functional or purely functional?
The Basics
Privacy fences are made of wood, bamboo, vinyl, or chain link and come in several styles. Wood fences and posts are typically made of cedar, cypress, or pressure treated pine, none of which will decompose from contact with moisture in the soil. Typical styles used for wood privacy fences include solid panels (Stockade), closely spaced pickets (Picket), vertical or horizontal overlapping boards set at an angle (Weatherboard), or lattice. While wood makes an attractive fence, it the most expensive to build and maintain.
Bamboo fences are made of durable bamboo poles or canes tied together with galvanized wire, or woven using smaller canes. Unlike fences constructed of wood, vinyl, or chain link, bamboo fencing is available in rolls and can be used to cover up an existing chain link fence, creating an easy and effective privacy fence. Bamboo fences are the least expensive type of fence and are fairly low maintenance.
Vinyl fencing is made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC and is long lasting and maintenance free. Vinyl privacy fences are available as solid panels or a combination of two styles; a solid panel lower half and a lattice panel on the top part, creating a trellis where vines can grow. Chain link fences used for privacy purposes feature privacy slats–-thin strips of aluminum materials that weave in and out of the open links. Vinyl and chain link fences are similar in price to wood fences, but are lower maintenance.
Privacy fences are sold in 6 or 8-foot sections and typically 6 or 8 feet in height. Most fences are single-sided, meaning that the vertical boards are attached to only one side of the fence. The “good side” may face out towards the public, face in towards the home, or alternate with one panel facing in and one facing out. The latter is useful for fences dividing neighbors. A fence can also be double-sided with vertical boards attached to both sides of the fence. A double-sided fence is more expensive than a single-sided one.
Tips
1. Let neighbors know that you plan on erecting a fence to avoid creating animosity.
2. Before constructing any type of fence check with your local municipality to make sure that your fence conforms to zoning and building code requirements. There are often height restrictions—usually a maximum of 6 feet. Many municipalities require that fences over 6 feet be designed by a structural engineer.
3. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can build a 6-foot high fence and then put another two feet of lattice on top. Technically this is an 8-foot high fence and will be treated accordingly by the municipality.
4. You may need a permit for construction.
5. Before you build, call the local utility companies and locate all underground utilities. Chances are, you won’t affect anything, but it never hurts to be certain.
6. For a perimeter privacy fence, hire a surveyor to accurately determine property lines and avoid potential conflicts with neighbors in the future.
7. When constructing a fence up or down a gradient, step the fence. Using a level, plumb bob, and measuring tape, figure out the gradient over 8 feet (or whatever the panel length is), and step it accordingly. Bamboo fence in a roll is flexible enough to accommodate slopes and does not need to be stepped.
