To make our backyard a little more private we're thinking of ideas. Our neighbourhood mostly has black chain link fences between houses.
Of course there's the option of trees/bushes, but it is a little unpredictable I guess.
We're looking at a couple sections of custom fence/wall on both sides, but not sure who could do this for us. Also would like it to be low maintenance.
Also would have to consider city bylaws (height allowed, etc.), although I'm thinking these could be considered movable structures and thus may circumvent.
Any other ideas & suggestions certainly welcomed, as is the inevitable humourous replies.
Since everyone has chain link, I think Swedish Columnar Aspen or Tower Poplar would likely be the best bet. I find that deviating from the chain link makes you stick out quite a bit and even without leaves they both block quite a bit.
That said, if you do go with fence, you will have a limit of 6 feet, but that might vary depending on your neighbourhood. ie you might have some other requirements, because of the chain link you mentioned, which is often a requirement for some homes/communities. Check into this before you go much further in the planning department.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Rathji For This Useful Post:
If you want to stick with chain link, I have seen some attachments you can get to clip on and make patterns or designs, just to make things less boring looking.
Definitely check with local bylaws/codes for what is allowed. Our neighbours wanted vinyl (we did not as the other side was already completed before our home was built and is just wood) and wanted us to pay half. Pricing was about 19-20/lf for vinyl and I believe we ended up going with wood to match the other side for about 12/lf. Looks awesome.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Hugh Jahrmes For This Useful Post:
at the end of the day, it is the city, you are not really going to get a lot of privacy regardless of what you do - short of installing a 80 foot fence.....
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Alternate between sectioned panels of privacy lattice with vines and pyramidal junipers.
This way it isn't just a hard wall of solid boring fencing.
You can frame the lattice sections with some nice stained cedar posts, make them 8' wide and then you could leave a 4' gap where you'd plant the junipers. (NOT cedars)
Just an idea.
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my neighbor purchased some frosted glass panel for his deck, and sandwhiched in between the glass panels are wooden branches - I have no idea how much he paid for these panels but they are some kind of awesome. I should also mention this deck should be featured on HGTV as it is epic.
how about going with lattice and some type of silk plant vine weaved thru it - the vine would provide foilage, and possibly not attract as many bugs........or how about lattice with some type of roll up shade, or fabric.
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It is a great fence, but a bit on the pricey side for a vinyl fencing. However I live by a ball diamond so having a fence that withstand a fastball was worth the price.
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We have a rather large deck (9x16' upper, 11x20 lower) and it is elevated. We found privacy was an issue for us so when I replaced the rail posts on the sides of our deck I ran them from the ground (for anchoring) to about 8 feet above the deck with a header connecting all three posts per side I had a solid surface that I mounted outdoor roller blinds on for improved privacy.
With approximately 16 feet of coverage on both sides we are aware of our neighbors when they are outside but we have less of that "on display" feel if we did not have the blinds.
We purchased the blinds from Costco off the floor for about $70 each.
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We are looking to build a new fence as well this summer. Ours is probably 20 years old and is literally being held together by string/rope haha. The gate is a pick up and move sort of deal.
We have seen a few awesome fences in our neighbourhood, one is framed with steal posts and horizontal bars, then cedar boards placed in the bars. The steal frame is painted black and the cedar was stained a nice medium red/brown stain.
I really don't know what I want. Currently we have a wood fence on one side and chain link on the other. We will have to discuss with the neighbors before doing anything but I think I want a wood fence. I think they look nicer.
We are looking to build a new fence as well this summer. Ours is probably 20 years old and is literally being held together by string/rope haha. The gate is a pick up and move sort of deal.
We have seen a few awesome fences in our neighbourhood, one is framed with steal posts and horizontal bars, then cedar boards placed in the bars. The steal frame is painted black and the cedar was stained a nice medium red/brown stain.
I really don't know what I want. Currently we have a wood fence on one side and chain link on the other. We will have to discuss with the neighbors before doing anything but I think I want a wood fence. I think they look nicer.
Just remember, if you want to build a fence and your neighbors aren't interested in going in on it with you you need to build it 4 inches inside your property line in order to retain complete ownership of it. Also, if your neighbors don't want to contribute financially you should be painting their side fluorescent orange.
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Where I live the developer wanted chain link fence to get people to get creative with their yard design when attempting to create privacy. We went with a hot tub off my main deck where I built a surround with 7' wood lattice. Then I planted hops along it that covered it within 2 years.
If you going the tree route Columnar Aspens and Poplars look almost identical. The differences are in the roots. Aspens have smaller root bundles (about 6' diameters), while Poplars are more agressive (about 12'). I would avoid bushes as they will grow through the links which may become an issue with you neighbours.
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Since everyone has chain link, I think Swedish Columnar Aspen or Tower Poplar would likely be the best bet. I find that deviating from the chain link makes you stick out quite a bit and even without leaves they both block quite a bit.
That said, if you do go with fence, you will have a limit of 6 feet, but that might vary depending on your neighbourhood. ie you might have some other requirements, because of the chain link you mentioned, which is often a requirement for some homes/communities. Check into this before you go much further in the planning department.
Revisiting again this year...lol
Is there one of those trees that has a greater propensity to attract wasps? A colleague mentioned this. We're leaning towards a combo of 3 to 4 of these trees and then lilac bushes the rest of the way.
What we really like would be privacy screens - metal panels of sorts. Have seen some really cool designs, searching around but most companies in California and other states. I did find 2 companies in YYC area, but might be a little over the top. Any experiences from the CP universe?
Custom Fence/Backyard Privacy Ideas
