Affordable privacy fence?

Kim
by Kim

When we are on our patio our neighbors can completely see into our yard from their deck. Our yard dips down in the back because of drainage easement. Right behind our playground it would be nice to add a tall privacy fence. In our opinion the fences get complicated so we can’t really add to them. We have a chain link that was there when we bought the house and their wood fence sucks and is basically held up by our chain link. So adding to the fence just isn’t possible. What structure is affordable and easy to add so we get some sort of privacy? Plus when we are on the playground set we can see clear into their backyard. They aren’t out there much, but when they are it’s awkward.

  17 answers
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 14, 2021

    Have seen adds for this recently and was impressed on it's creative uses, take a look here:


    https://www.amazon.com/expandable-privacy-fence/s?k=expandable+privacy+fence

    • Kim Kim on Mar 15, 2021

      I haven’t. I wonder how sturdy they are though. It does get a bit windy here sometimes.

  • How about a natural fence? Arborvitaes would be a good choice.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Mar 14, 2021

    Hello. If you don’t need immediate fix I agree with the above poster that natural living shrubs can provide excellent screening. We purchase some at the big box hardware and Costco in a matter of years it’s been a remarkable effect. Do you investigate the species to make sure it is deer resistant so your shrubbery will not be disfigured.


    You can see in the photograph below the little new tree versus the tree that’s been there three or four years. I am in zone 7A and these are 5-7 gallon Leyland cypress at the time of planting.

    • See 1 previous
    • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Mar 15, 2021

      Yes that’s the most common solution. If you happen to look around your preplanned communities you often can see such shrubs installed for screening. In my zone seven a wax Myrtle is a popular choice

  • William William on Mar 14, 2021

    A few ideas here

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/landscaping/how-to-make-an-easy-patio-privacy-screen-step-by-step-tutorial-2087206


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/backyard-ideas-reed-fence-home-depot-privacy-4613852


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/landscaping/privacy-screen-ideas-and-how-to-make-a-fence-taller-1194729


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/raised-garden-beds/privacy-fence-face-lift-38405839


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/fences-lattice-privacy-wall-planks-wood-4319972


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/old-doors-give-new-life-to-backyard--17610729


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/privacy-fencing-on-a-budget-31265848

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Mar 14, 2021

    Most towns allow fences to be no more than 6’ above Finished Grade.

    Therefore I’d build raised flower or garden beds about 3’ high and then either plant tall cedar trees or put in a 6’ fence.

  • Ellis Ellis on Mar 15, 2021

    Would your kids like more of a tree house? Add some uprights at the corners of their playset, and put a "roof" on their playset. I've seen a number of playsets with the tree-house/tent like structure included. That might be just enough to block the neighbors' view of your yard.

    • See 1 previous
    • Ellis Ellis on Mar 16, 2021

      I thought maybe the tree house would interrupt the neighbors' line of sight. I have the same problem, two different neighbors behind me are much higher (about 15 feet, we live on a hill), and look down on us. The only thing I've been able to do is plant evergreens (arborvitae, narrow and tall; yews; and prague viburnum, which keep their leaves in winter, but flower in spring and grow FAST) near the fence line to block their view, because the angle of the hill and their elevation would let them look right over any wooden fence. A few small ornamental trees planted between the fence line and our deck and patio are finally starting to have a large enough canopy to help. I haven't done any pergola-type structure because I don't want to cut the light entering the rooms of the house facing the yard--it's dark enough, being on the north side of the house.


      Good luck, hope lumber prices come down soon too, my deck needs work!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 15, 2021

    As your neighbours 'look down' on to your yard, to prevent the feeling that you are on show to them all the time, I agree with others who have said that you will need to build a structure with some sort of a roof on it. A pergola or gazebo with a roof and solid walls, or screen walls (examples below) may be what it required.


    If you are looking for a solution that will give you some immediate privacy, in other words, you do not want to wait for greenery to grow, or are not ready for a large building project, I would suggest that you purchase a couple of large offset umbrellas. These can be cranked up or down, and set at different angles, to block the neighbours viewing your family time.

    • Kim Kim on Mar 15, 2021

      We need something maybe like a quick and easy trellis privacy fence. We would love to add a privacy wall to our deck, but then it would block the view and quickness to grab our 2.5 year old playing on her swingset.

  • Dee Dee on Mar 15, 2021

    That is a sticky situation, because the wood privacy fence is on their side. A chain link offers no privacy. The wood fence would be built up to 10 feet, but your neighbors probably do not want to put in a new fence. So I would buy some fast growing bushes or go to Home Depot or Lowes and get some lattice panels to attach to you cain link.

    • See 4 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 17, 2021

      Kim, If the chain link fence that 'came with the property' when you bought it, does not meet your needs, and is, as you say, holding up the neighbour's fence that is leaning on it, why go to the work of removing it?


      If and when you do decide to build a fence that better meets your needs, then build it in front of the chain link fence. This way, it will not need to be removed, the land where both the existing fences are will not need to be removed, and you can be assured that your new fence is indeed well within your property line.

  • Annie Annie on Mar 18, 2021

    Anything tall needs to be anchored in the ground well. Depending on your bylaws regarding fences, you can go 8 or 10 feet above ground, but the posts would need to be 3-4 feet in the ground.... Gets expensive.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Mar 31, 2021

    Depending on your location, try Eleagnus or an appropriate shrub for your zone. My dad planted Eleagnus around 3 sides of our yard when they converted a farm behind us into a densely populated housing area. Within just a year or two, we had a solid wall of greenery that eventually grew to be over 12 ft. tall.


  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Mar 31, 2021

    you could add lattice panels to give you more privacy they come in wood and vinyl and easy to install on existing fence

  • Deb K Deb K on Apr 08, 2021

    Hello, here is one idea for you to check out,

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/windows-doors/homemade-wood-privacy-screens-28686170

  • Yamitanny Yamitanny on Nov 10, 2023

    Just wanna add that one relatively simple and budget-friendly option you might consider is installing privacy slats in your existing chain link fence.

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 10, 2023

    Hi Kim, Hope this helps you out, lots of great ideas!


    https://www.itsoverflowing.com/outdoor-privacy-screen/


  • Dee Dee on Nov 10, 2023

    Plant some Oleanders back there. They grow craZy Tall and have beautiful flowers.

  • OrionVee OrionVee on Nov 13, 2023

    Kim, it's understandable that you're looking for an affordable and easy solution for added privacy. One option you might consider is using privacy slats in your existing chain link fence. These are cost-effective and can be installed quickly, providing the privacy you need without having to replace the entire fence.

    You can also explore other creative approaches, check out these bottom of fence gap ideas. They can help you make your outdoor space more comfortable.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 16, 2023

    28 Inexpensive Privacy Fence Ideas for Your Yard

    https://www.thespruce.com/inexpensive-privacy-fence-ideas-7558467