What this covers
A privacy fence is a solid fence, usually six feet tall, built so the boards leave no view through. It can be wood, vinyl or composite, and the pattern matters: butted boards, board-on-board, tongue-and-groove, or shadowbox, which alternates boards on each side of the rails so both neighbors see a finished face and air still passes through. The installer confirms the height allowed by local rules, sets posts deeper than for an open fence because the wind load is higher, runs three rails on a six-foot fence, hangs the boards tight, and often adds a top cap and trim board for a finished look.
When to call
- A backyard, patio or hot tub overlooked by neighbors or a street.
- Noise or headlights from a road that a solid fence would soften.
- A yard where a pool, pets or children need a solid barrier.
- An old picket or chain-link fence you want to upgrade for privacy.
What to expect
- Confirm rulesHeight limits, setbacks and any permit are checked before the design is set.
- Set postsPosts are set deep in concrete, closer together than for an open fence.
- Rails and boardsThree rails are fastened and boards hung in the chosen pattern with no gaps or sightlines.
- Trim and gatesCaps and trim are added, gates hung, and the run checked from both sides.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How tall can a privacy fence be?
Six feet is the common limit for backyards under most local rules; front yards are usually restricted to three or four feet. The company confirms the rule for the lot before building.
What is a shadowbox fence?
Boards are alternated on each side of the rails, overlapping so there is no straight sightline through. Both sides look finished and wind passes between the boards.
Which side should face the neighbor?
Custom and many local rules put the finished side out, toward the neighbor or street. A shadowbox or board-on-board design avoids the question.
Related: Wood fence installation · Vinyl fence installation · Composite fence installation · All fences and gates
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