How Do You Feel About Privacy Fences?

[Rubia Warren]

WIth privacy fences having become so popular in the last few years, how do you feel about them?

Do you think maybe they cut us off from one another in our neighborhoods? It is nice to have privacy..... I mean..... who wants their neighbors inspecting their nostrils when they are outside hangin out in the yard? But isn't it kinda weird when most people in a neighborhood have them, and each yard is neatly divided by a wooden privacy fence which marks everyone's territories? Can it get to a point where we kinda isolate ourselves and focus too much on isolation & individuality?

Or are they an all-good thing?

I ask this as my husband and I are having discussions about fencing (I am using us as an example although this thread is kinda more general). We need one for our new house, and since we only have one neighbor, he is considering blocking the view of his house with a privacy fence along that side, and a picket fence the rest of the way around (where there are no neighbors). On the one hand, I really don't wanna stare into the back of my neighbor's house when I am grilling burgers. I especially don't want them peeking at me through the blinds. I dunno why. I never cared when I was younger. My parents never cared. That was normal. But I'm in 2006 and am feeling the pull of those towering wooden partitions.

On the other hand..... I don't work in a cubicle. I wouldn't want to. So why would I make one in my yard???? And that guy next door only has about 2 feet of yard facing our side. Maybe he has enjoyed the view of our yard (since he literally has none at all) for many years while he drinks his morning coffee and we will be slapping up a wall of tall wooden planks all of a sudden for him to stare at? Is that very neighborly?

Back to the first hand, though.... if we had a privacy fence there...... I'll be honest........ it would be nice. No guy next door to think about. No guy next door to even see hardly ever. It would be as though no one else exists but us............ maybe that is part of the point of privacy fences?

Are these generally a good thing or a bad thing? Why or why not?

[Darth Executor]

When I get my own house I'm building a 12 feet tall cement wall around my house and putting barbed wire coils on top of it. Not because I like privacy but because I like the idea of living in a stronghold.

[luv1another]

In a lot of places in Oz we fence our front and back property all the places I have ever lived have been fenced you can let your kids out on the front lawn without worrying about them going on the road. you don't have to worry about other peoples pets on your front lawn or garden. lots of advantages

[Dave G]

Everyplace I've ever lived had tall fencing....it's pretty much a given for me that I would have some.

[Rubia Warren]

When I get my own house I'm building a 12 feet tall cement wall around my house and putting barbed wire coils on top of it. Not because I like privacy but because I like the idea of living in a stronghold.

Well, that goes without saying.

[Rubia Warren]

In a lot of places in Oz we fence our front and back property all the places I have ever lived have been fenced you can let your kids out on the front lawn without worrying about them going on the road. you don't have to worry about other peoples pets on your front lawn or garden. lots of advantages

Are you talking about fences in general, or tall wooden privacy fences that you can't see through though? (I ask because you mention letting the kids on the front lawn, so I was assuming you had a regular fence in mind)

[Rubia Warren]

Everyplace I've ever lived had tall fencing....it's pretty much a given for me that I would have some.

Really? I wouldn't have guessed that since you are so country, in a non-musical sort of way.

[luv1another]

Are you talking about fences in general, or tall wooden privacy fences that you can't see through though? (I ask because you mention letting the kids on the front lawn, so I was assuming you had a regular fence in mind)

well fences in general but lots of people have tall fences most fences around where I live now are made of tin

[Rubia Warren]

We didn't have very many in my area when I was growing up. If a family had a chain-link fence, that sort of said they had some money. But one could always see through them- they were put there to contain people or animals inside, or outside. Now, privacy fences are very popular. I suspect because they are more affordable now than before.

[yxboom]

good fences make good neighbors, i suppose.

[Glenn P]

Private fences are cool. A good neighbourhood is a good thing, but the home is a sanctuary to get away from it all.

[semmie]

we're actually facing a new ordinance that wouldn't allow privacy fences. the reason? you may block your neighbor's sunlight.

roobs...i bet you get your fence up and the neighbor drops you a thank you note that says "my goodness, it's about time! i was SO sick of seeing your nostrils every time you were out in the yard!"

[Jade]

You could always make a miniature privacy fence, say, maybe 2 feet high. After all it's the thought that counts. Or if you're gung-ho about "privacy" but don't want to offend the neighbors, you could put up the standard privacy fence and knock out every other slat. Just a couple options so you can have your cake and eat it too.

[Jedidiah]

How does your neighbor feel about the fence idea? Have you gotten to know him at all yet? Fences are good, but it would be nice if both parties had the same feelings about a privacy fence.

[Bill the Cat]

I moved into a house with a privvy fence from a house with no fence at all. I had a problem of dogs coming into the yard and leaving huge steaming divots in the yard. Now, my kids can run and play in the back yard without me worrying about them slipping in poo. Also, no hoodlums using my yard as a thoroughfare, killing my crabgrass. I work hard to have those weeds, and I don't need some punk kid who is too lazy to walk on the street killing my home grown dandelion collection...

:btc3: